This is a bit off topic, since the question is specifically about Toastmasters. I haven't done Toastmasters myself, but the people that I know that like it feel

This is a bit off topic, since the question is specifically about Toastmasters. I haven't done Toastmasters myself, but the people that I know that like it feel that they have gotten a lot out of it. Despite the self-selection bias, I would recommend Toastmasters because communication skills are so important in the software field. My company took a new approach and was making good progress with our product when the Open Software Foundation decided that industry standards in the area were needed. This posed an existential threat to our existence since no one else was doing what we were doing in our unique way. Instead of working as the software architect behind our design, I was thrust into role of software evangelist and had to speak persuasively in front of huge audiences (hundreds) and even participate in panel debates defending my designs against every imaginable critique from IBM, HP, Dec, Apollo, etc. They had deep talent, outside consultants (Carnegie Melon Univ professors, etc.), and they were all trying to take down my company. Naturally, the most important way for a software person to be successful is to know your craft and be able to make software, but once you start to rise through the ranks you and your endeavors will greatly benefit from the ability to give a good technical presentation. I had the good fortune of teaching a few courses in grad school and this led to an opportunity to do some internal training on new software methodologies in my first real job. I worked on doing it well, and this eventually resulted in me being sent to Sweden, England, and Germany to speak about the company's software to our own engineers and customers. All of this prepared me for what I had to do for my own company's success years later. Suggestions for getting comfortable with public speaking: start out easy (magic shows for your nieces and nephews), avoid Power Point (at first) and learn to think on your feet in front of an audience at a white board, work with material you know, and watch videos of excellent presentations in your field from conferences (there are so many on the internet now).