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Articles > Business > What is corporate communications?

What is corporate communications?

Michael Feder

Written by Michael Feder

Kathryn Uhles

Reviewed by Kathryn Uhles, MIS, MSP, Dean, College of Business and IT

Corporate communications specialist makes a call while looking at a document

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.

What does a corporate communications team do?

Managing communication within an organization includes a range of activities, such as:

  1. Internal communication: The communication within an organization that’s crucial for maintaining a positive workplace culture and employee engagement. Internal communication can take various forms, such as staff meetings, newsletters and intranet portals.
  2. External communication: The communication between a company, the general public and stakeholders outside the organization. Often referred to as public relations (PR), external communication may include media relations, press releases, press conferences, corporate websites, annual reports and advertising.
  3. Brand communication: The promotion of a company’s brand and products to potential customers, which typically includes marketing campaigns, product launches, social media marketing, advertising and promotion, and sponsorships.
  4. Reputation management: The process of building and maintaining a company's positive public image. Reputation management usually involves monitoring and controlling the company’s online and offline presence and addressing negative publicity in a timely and effective manner.
  5. Crisis communication: The strategy a company adopts in response to an emergency. It is essential for any communication team to develop a proactive and well-prepared crisis plan to minimize potential damage to the company’s reputation and ensure the right message is expressed to relevant stakeholders.

To function, corporations must avoid breakdowns in communication. For this reason, many have a team that streamlines communication between internal and external audiences.

What skills are needed in corporate communications?

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.

Corporate communication careers

This broad field covers the roles within a company that focus on internal and external messaging. Some career paths are:

  • Public relations: A career in PR involves generating earned media and sharing messaging to present the company in a positive way to the general public. Responsibilities can include writing press releases, managing media inquiries, organizing interviews and more. Job titles can include communication specialist and media relations specialist. 
  • Marketing: Marketing involves managing the relationship between a company and its customers and potential customers. Marketing professionals may handle social media, website content and local marketing strategies. Job titles may include copywriter or editor. 
  • Crisis management and communication: Crisis communication experts are charged with handling emergencies for a company and ensuring that accurate information is released to employees and the public. Media relations specialists on PR teams often help manage crisis communication. 
  • Internal communication systems: Internal communication includes emails, memos and other materials that are distributed from management to employees. Communication specialists and copywriters can also work in internal-facing positions. 

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.

How to launch a career in corporate communications

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.

Earn a degree

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.

Gain professional experience

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.. 

Learn useful skills in communication

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:

  • Social media management: This teaches students how to manage a company’s social media account, understand analytics and create a social media strategy.
  • Digital marketing: Learning about digital marketing may cover information about social media marketing, but it will also delve into how all aspects of the internet can be used to market a company.
  • Copywriting: This teaches students how to write materials for public consumption. This can include blog posts, web copy, email marketing and social media posts.

These specific tools can help grow a skill set and potentially stand out in the hiring process.

Network with professionals

Another avenue for aspiring communication professionals is to join a professional association. Media and communication specialists may opt to join the Public Relations Society of America, the nation’s leading communication community. The American Marketing Association, American Communication Association and Social Media Association are other options worth considering. 

Search for a job

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.

Is becoming a corporate communications professional a good fit?

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.

Education for corporate communications

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.

Headshot of Michael Feder

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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.

Headshot of Kathryn Uhles

ABOUT THE REVIEWER

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˝.

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