How to Get Over Your Fear of Public Speaking for Environmental Professionals

Written By Evelyn "Evie" Quehl:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/evelyn-quehl-b27311232/

I once stood in front of my college class with trembling note cards and forgot literally everything I'd practiced. My mouth went dry, my face turned red, and I said "um" maybe forty times in three minutes. It was bad.

If you've been there, you get it. Public speaking is terrifying for most people, which actually means we've figured out plenty of ways to survive it. Here's what's worked for me.

Know Your Stuff

My biggest tip is simple: know what you're talking about. And I mean really know it, not just kind of know it. Practice out loud, not in your head where it always sounds perfect. Do it again. And again.

When you actually know your material, you stop worrying so much about forgetting your lines. Your confidence builds and the nerves don't completely take over. I like to practice with a friend or family member first. Someone who'll ask real questions and tell you if something doesn't make sense. They'll also catch weird habits you didn't know you had.

Think About your Audience

Your audience matters. In casual settings, throw in personal stories. People remember stories way more than they remember lists of facts. In formal settings with people in your field, you can skip the basic explanations. They already know that stuff, and acting like they don't makes you look less experienced.

Remember Everyone Else Hates This Too

Before presentations, I think about how most people in that room would rather die than be standing where I am. They're not judging every mistake. They're not even paying that much attention to you as a person, they're focused on what you're saying. So use notecards. Make slides. Write notes on your hand. Whatever keeps you on track.

Breathe

You might forget to breathe. It happens. Your nerves kick in and suddenly you're racing through everything. Force yourself to take deep breaths during your presentation. It calms you down and stops you from rushing past important stuff. Plus the pauses give people time to actually think about what you said.

Practice Makes Progress

The thing nobody wants to hear: you have to keep doing it to get better. Each time is a little easier. The anxiety doesn't go away completely, but you figure out how to deal with it. Start small. Talk more in meetings. Give a toast at dinner. Work your way up. Public speaking probably won't ever be fun, and that's fine. But you can get to a point where it's not this huge terrifying thing. You can actually handle it. Now go practice again.

While public speaking remains challenging for many professionals, it is a skill that can be developed through consistent practice and preparation. You will inevitably make mistakes, whether that means using filler words, losing your train of thought, or stumbling over certain points. These moments are part of the learning process. What matters most is your willingness to engage with the material and your audience. With each presentation, your competence and comfort level will improve incrementally. This gradual progress is the realistic goal worth pursuing.