Digital communication provides an important opportunity for the basic communication course (BCC) to match student skills to employer desires and enhance our curriculum in ways that match our essential competencies. This essay argues that digital communication can be public speaking and incorporating it into the BCC will enhance our ability to meet our core competencies and equip students with the skills employers seek. This recommendation is timely and critical due to the cultural shift of the COVID-19 pandemic and an increased community focus on the merits and costs of digital communication. Incorporating digital communication is essential to the continued relevance of the BCC and our ability to teach students the skills employers seek.