“We prioritize candidates with strong logic, reasoning, and research abilities. Coupled with presentation and persuasion skills, these traits typically indicate a high-quality candidate, which is why I often look to hire former debaters for my team.“ – Brian Kennett, Vice President Digital Advertising at Star Tribune Media Company

Each year, debaters nationwide gain in-depth knowledge about real-world topics through the process of researching, debating, and competing. A sample of the last few years of debate topics demonstrates how students learn more than just the facts – they come to understand how science and technology interact with everyday life and policy decision-making.

“I became a member of the Debate team where I became more confident in public speaking, learned to view issues from both perspectives and effectively argue both sides of the issue. Keeping an open mind while researching facts and credible sources of information was developed while on the debate team.” (CSU-East Bay)

“I was a speech and debate star. I’m greatly appreciative because it helped me earn money for college… It was definitely a great way to create a skill that I use today.” (Accenture’s CEO Went from Debate Champ to the C-Suite, David Rubinstein, 2021) 

“My high school debate coach… invested a lot of her time to help me become a strong debater, which ultimately helped me become a confident communicator. Having that strong foundation has had a massive impact on my entire life and on my business.” (Junior Achievement of Greater Washington, 2022)

“I’ve never paid to advertise, so grass-roots marketing was vital to the success of Spanx.

I was also very active on the debate team, and I took a lot of public speaking courses. Both helped me with my speeches and TV appearances.” (Tallahassee Magazine)

“In high school, James D. White was cut from his high school basketball team. Instead of sulking, White decided to join the school’s debate team, noting it was a foundational learning experience from a communication standpoint. ‘It put me on a very different trajectory…a very different path.’” (St. Hope, December 18, 2014) 

“I did a lot of speech and debate [in high school]. I was afraid of public speaking when I was in junior high, so I did that thing where you confront your fears… You’re given two minutes on a topic you’re unprepared for, and then you have to give a five-minute speech. It turns out I do this a lot now.” (New York Times, June 13th, 2014)

We have many opportunities for corporate partners to get connected with our current debaters and support our work! If you’re interested in pursuing any of these opportunities, please contact our Executive Director, Amy Cram Helwich, at cramhe@augsburg.edu. 

Debaters Foster Innovation Through Healthy Debate

Want to avoid culture wars at work? You need a healthy ‘debate culture.’ | Protocol, July 5, 2022

Matt Calkins often hears that he’s polite, even deferential. But as CEO of Appian, he tells employees to challenge each other — especially their bosses — early and often.

“I love arguments. I love ideas clashing,” Calkins said. “I regard it as a personal compliment when someone respectfully dissents.”

This culture originated with Calkins and his three co-founders, two of whom were champion student debaters before founding the cloud computing company in 1999. Today, Calkins said he still greets new employees with an invitation to express disagreement with anyone at any level of the company — including himself.

“If you disagree with somebody, especially your boss, you’re doing them a favor,” Calkins said. “You’re helping them to make their idea better. Whatever it is you just disagreed with is going to get better because you challenged it.” 

Debaters Gain Skills Long Before Graduation 

How to Find the Millenials Who Will Lead Your Company | Robert Sher, Forbes columnist and consultant to midsized company CEOs

“…Here is the truth about students who compete in speech and debate. They’ve spent hundreds of hours perfecting their speaking skills.  Many have done intensive research to write their speeches.  All have endured the pressure that competition brings, and have performed well intellectually under such pressure.  They’ve made connections and friendships with other high performing peers.  All of these behaviors are excellent predictors of success on any leadership team.

Be on the lookout for Millennials who have participated in speech and debate training. Hire them and put them on your leadership fast track.” 

Debaters Excel Under Pressure 

Debate Paves Way to Business Success | Capitol Debate, 2021

“Nuance’s Chuck Berger (now Kenandy) has said that he learned three things in debate that have helped in business. First, how to research and prepare a controversial topic with opposing viewpoints. Second, to make a compelling presentation. Third, to act quickly on his feet. Without the discipline, his company’s growth would have been unforeseeable.”