Certified Talent Development Professional

I am certified at the level of Associate Professional Talent Development  (APTD) by the Association for Talent Development, which covers areas of expertise in Instructional Design, Training Delivery, Learning Technologies, and Evaluating Learning Impact. Foundational competency includes Global Mindset. I was also selected to be one of the exam question reviewers for future exams due to my subject matter expertise.

Promoter of the Power of Persuasion

I help professionals improve their communication competence through three avenues: 1) teaching, 2) consulting, and 3) publication / public speaking. I teach business and professional communication, organizational communication, and public speaking at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. I provide kick-ass resume consulting and public speaking training to a variety of professionals through my company Communication@Work LLC. 

+Study With me @SIUC >> 
More Info about SIUC Communication Studies

Testimonial

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​Dr. Engstrom is truly a mentor/coach that I admire. I strongly recommend that you work with him."
​Jimmy Ellis, 2017

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Faculty Founder of Communication Career Council @ SIUC

I challenged students in my Studies in Organizational Communication course to write a strategic plan for a student organization that would provide opportunities for students interested in human resource management and training/development to create a portfolio and gain practice while helping other students. The result? Communication Career Council (C3) 

Director of Undergraduate Studies

I am currently the Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Dept. of Communication Studies. In this role I have (1) led initiatives to update and streamline the undergraduate curriculum to give students more flexibility and make it easier for them to graduate on time, (2) increased the number of online and distance education opportunities, (3) developed more opportunities for students to get credit for experiential learning and career development, (4) launched programs to provide more business communication and public speaking opportunities, including organizing an official Ignite Talk event, (5) and expanded opportunities for current students by working with alumni in creative ways (e.g., developed the "Host a Saluki Intern" program so student have access to affordable housing in cities so they can do internships).

My Communication Stories

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I oversee the Dept. of Communication Studies' Social Media Strategy, here's one campaign I initiated. Collecting stories from students and faculty.

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Select Student Testimonials

Craig has helped me with interviewing skills, selling myself professionally, industry knowledge, and even confidence. We had regular meetings at least once every 2 weeks. If you show Craig that you are willing to put in the work and that you have the drive to accomplish great things, he will do everything within his reach to help guide you towards your professional goals. ~ Jake B., 2018

I had Craig for a few classes and he's an excellent professor. Great communication skills, always on time, well prepared for each and every class, and open for students questions, ideas, and opinions. He has a great way of making students have a vision of the professional level/workplace. Craig is always willing to work with his students, and he is very understanding.  ~ Mariana P., 2017

I received an offer to work in a position that turns out to be my dream job. I don't think I could have done it without the support you have given me these past 5 years." ~ Stephanie V., 2015

Inside and outside of class, Craig has a huge passion for assisting students any way he can. For me, it felt like he was (and still is) always available to help me whenever I needed him. Overall, he brings out the best in people and makes them reach their full potential. - Paul Roumeliotis, 2014

I would recommend any of Craig's courses to students who want to be challenged to make themselves as marketable as possible in this competitive job market. - Jenny Ackerman, 2014

Craig redefined the term "educator" for me after taking his Organizational Communications course in the spring of 2013. The beauty of Craig's teaching style is not solely in his handle of the course material (of which he is very knowledgeable), but even more in his ability to apply real life business examples and case studies while teaching the material.  - Jon Kefaloukos, 2014

Dr. Craig Engstrom is an exemplary instructor with business and professional insight unmatched by any faculty member of Elmhurst College. - James Thompson, 2014

Dr. Engstrom’s lessons and assignments prepare students for the real world and emphasize the importance of professionalism in any field." - Christine Murphy, 2013

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