One of my least favorite questions that often surfaces in an interview addresses my verbal and written communication skills. While this question may seem cliché, effective communication is essential to practice, in any work place.

It can be jarring when grads quickly realize that a new set of communication skills to function in the "real world". While you may have gotten an "A" in biology despite sitting quietly in the back of the classroom, this will get you nowhere in the working world. You need to have a voice, and you need to know how to use it effectively.

Need help refining your communication skills? There is a group that will help you do just that. Toastmasters International is a non-profit organization helps members to develop their public speaking skills, making them more comfortable speaking in front of an audience. Founded in 1924, the organization has 260,000 members in 113 different countries. Through interactive workshops, members learn how to improve their overall presentation.

Intimidating? Sure. Yet Toastmaters meetings will allow you to practice communicating with people of all ages and career backgrounds - ergo, a test drive of the working world.

It's easy to join - visit toastmasters.org to find a group that meets near you. Just don't be too disappointed when the art of toaster making is never a topic of conversation*.

*C'mon...a joke of this nature needed to be made at some point :p