GET TO KNOW OCC CONSULTANT Rebecca Overton
March 4, 2026
By Emma DeSantis
Rebecca Overton
Senior, general communication studies major, first semester as an OCC Peer Consultant.
Rebecca Overton is one of the knowledgeable and supportive peer consultants at the OCC. She answered some questions for me regarding her role as a mentor in the OCC.
Why did you choose to become a part of the OCC?
“In my previous roles, I had the opportunity to develop my communication skills. I chose to become a part of the OCC to encourage others to do the same.”
What is your favorite movie?
“When Harry Met Sally!”
What would you say is your worst habit when presenting/speaking publicly?
“Reading directly off my script/notes.”
This is a common issue that many people struggle with! One way to help combat this issue, according to Richard Newman, is to create presentation notes involving trigger words. This means instead of writing out word-for-word what you want to say, break your presentation or speech down into parts and write a few simple words or phrases to help jog your memory and allow free thought. This also makes the speaker sound less robotic, while still remaining organized and on-topic.
How do you think an OCC session is more beneficial to a client than practicing on their own?
“They can receive direct feedback from a consultant.”
How can a client apply what they learned in an OCC session to future situations?
“Skills like public speaking, confidence, and active listening can be applied to a future job that requires conflict management, group collaboration, or critical thinking.”
What is the tip that you give to almost every client?
“The more you practice, the more you will succeed.”
According to faculty at MIT, more practice yields better results. Additionally practicing solving one issue at a time proves to be most effective. If you use too many filler words, first work on cutting those out, then you can tackle your next issue of speaking too quietly, for example. By doing this, you can more easily manage your stress and make significant improvements.
As Rebecca highlights, OCC peer consultants are ready to provide personalized feedback and are to apply their personal experiences with speaking to suit your needs.
Book your appointment with the OCC today!