The NIU Forensics team has had success competing on national and local levels.

“We usually break into the final round [of each competition],” said John Butler, faculty adviser and director of forensics. “Members of individual events always come home with trophies.”

Butler said the NIU forensics team is a place that can help students with future employment endeavors.

“[Forensics helps] enhance public speaking and advocacy skill in preparation for a particular career objective,” he said.

A student’s major or past experience doesn’t matter, because the team is open to any NIU student.

The student-run team works around each person’s schedule, because each individual decides his or her level of involvement.

While having fewer numbers on the team in comparison to other schools, NIU still competes.

“We are smaller, but respected,” said Heather Short, vice president of forensics team and a senior communicative disorders major.

Short agreed that forensics experience will impress potential employers and help students with everyday workplace trials.

“[There is] not any kind of field where they’re not going to be impressed with these skills,“ Short said.

Dipal Trivedi, a senior communication major and forensics treasurer, said being a part of the team also can help people overcome the common fear of public speaking.

The only thing people are afraid of more than death is public speaking, Trivedi said.

Although it’s a nice attribute for future jobs, forensics can be a life-improving skill.

Jim Yeager, a forensics coach and communication graduate student, said learning forensics has helped him become a better overall communicator.

The forensics team will hold its first meeting at 8:45 p.m. today at the Holmes Student Center’s Lincoln Room. Everyone is welcome to attend the gathering.