Written by Michael Feder
Reviewed by Kathryn Uhles, MIS, MSP, Dean, College of Business and IT
Corporate communications refer to the strategies organizations deploy to share key messaging with its stakeholders, including employees, customers, investors, media and the wider public. It encompasses internal and external communication aimed at promoting the company’s brand, reputation and objectives.
Managing communication within an organization includes a range of activities, such as:
To function, corporations must avoid breakdowns in communication. For this reason, many have a team that streamlines communication between internal and external audiences.
To excel in this communications specialty, a professional needs to have clear speaking and writing skills as well as creative thinking, critical thinking, and excellent organizational and research abilities. A communication professional may also need advanced writing and editing skills, digital skills such as social media management and more.
This field encompasses multiple careers, from marketing to crisis management. While all these career paths are related, there are nuances that cater to individualized skills and interests.
This broad field covers the roles within a company that focus on internal and external messaging. Some career paths are:
Each of these roles requires the communication professional to work with a different target audience. However, the jobs share a similar set of skills. All hinge on clear, concise messaging that can sway emotions, capture and retain the attention of other people, and influence behavior.
A career in corporate communications can begin by earning a relevant degree or certificate, gaining professional experience and applying for open positions. Beginning a journey to become a professional in this field, students will gain more insight into what specific career they are most interested in.
The first step is earning a degree. You can earn a bachelor’s degree in business to better understand the communications needs of organizations.
A business degree can be specialized by earning certificates or taking courses in communication, marketing or writing. These experiences help lay a strong foundation in such skills as critical thinking, messaging and creativity.
Professional experience shows future employers that ccandidates have the skills necessary to succeed in the workplace. Many students and new communication professionals gain work experience through internships, part-time jobs, contract work or entry-level, full-time employment for smaller companies.
Once a candidate has demonstrated strong communication skills, they can leverage this experience to apply for employment in a larger corporate environment if that’s part of their career goals..Â
For those who already have a degree but want to shift professional focus into corporate communications, learning specific skills used in the industry often can help show future employers that they hold the specialized knowledge needed in this field.
Some communications skills that would be helpful are:
These specific tools can help grow a skill set and potentially stand out in the hiring process.
After earning a degree and beginning to gain relevant work experience, candidates can begin looking for a job. It's a good idea showcase writing abilities in a well-crafted cover letter. Also be sure to highlight education, including degrees and certificates, on a resumé.
Candidates may also want to put together a portfolio of their written work, including social media captions, emails, press releases and marketing materials. This can show potential employers what kinds of projects they have handled and the caliber of their work.
communication professional right for you?
Becoming a corporate communication professional is a rewarding career path for many people, but it’s not for everybody. The job requires writing and speaking with other people on a regular basis. Corporate communication professionals need to be clear and confident communicators.
As you explore your career options, consider whether your passions and skills are in line with what is required of a corporate communication professional. If so, you can begin down this path for a rewarding, long-term career.
Becoming a corporate communication professional can be a rewarding career path for many people, but it’s not for everybody. The job requires writing and speaking with other people on a regular basis. Corporate communication professionals need to be clear and confident communicators.
°Âłóľ±±ô±đĚýexploring career options, a candidate should consider whether passions and skills are in line with what is required for this field.
If you’re interested in corporate communications, earning a bachelor’s degree in business can be a good place to start. Business degree programs at the °®ÎŰ´«Ă˝ teach skills such as leadership, communication, management and operations:
Contact °®ÎŰ´«Ă˝ for more information.
A graduate of Johns Hopkins University and its Writing Seminars program and winner of the Stephen A. Dixon Literary Prize, Michael Feder brings an eye for detail and a passion for research to every article he writes. His academic and professional background includes experience in marketing, content development, script writing and SEO. Today, he works as a multimedia specialist at °®ÎŰ´«Ă˝ where he covers a variety of topics ranging from healthcare to IT.
Currently Dean of the College of Business and Information Technology, Kathryn Uhles has served °®ÎŰ´«Ă˝ in a variety of roles since 2006. Prior to joining °®ÎŰ´«Ă˝, Kathryn taught fifth grade to underprivileged youth in °®ÎŰ´«Ă˝.
This article has been vetted by °®ÎŰ´«Ă˝'s editorial advisory committee.Â
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