The effects of socioeconomic class communication style differences on career advancement

Abstract

The research question this study aims to answer is, “What communication barriers between socioeconomic classes affect career advancement?” This study views socioeconomic class from a communication perspective to explore this phenomenon. I formed two discussion groups to discover the most prominent barriers between classes. I had one group that consisted of hiring personnel and the other of job coaches or similar employees. Three themes were uncovered during a thematic analysis of the discussions. The themes were nonverbal communication, verbal communication, and interpersonal communication. Each theme fell under the overarching theme of low communication competence being a barrier to career advancement for low-income people.