Written by Michael Feder
Reviewed by Kathryn Uhles, MIS, MSP, Dean, College of Business and IT
Corporate communications refer to the 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.
Corporate communications include a range of activities, such as:
To function, corporations must avoid breakdowns in communication. For this reason, many have corporate communication teams that streamline communication between internal and external audiences.
To excel in corporate communications, 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.
Corporate communications encompass multiple careers, from marketing to crisis management. While all these career paths are related, there are nuances that cater to individualized skills and interests.
The broad field of corporate communications covers the roles within a company that focus on internal and external messaging. Some career paths within corporate communications 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. As you begin your journey to become a corporate communication professional, you will gain more insight into what specific career you are most interested in.
The first step toward succeeding in corporate communications is earning a degree. You can earn a bachelor’s degree in business to better understand the needs of the corporations you will one day work for.
Your 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 you 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 you have demonstrated strong communication skills, you can leverage this experience to apply for employment in a larger corporate environment if that’s part of your career goals.
If you already have a degree but want to shift your professional focus into corporate communications, learning specific skills used in the industry often can help show future employers that you hold the specialized knowledge needed in this field.
Some skills that would be helpful in corporate communications are:
These specific tools can help you grow your skill set and potentially stand out in the hiring process.
Another avenue for aspiring corporate communication employees 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.Â
Once you have earned your degree and begun to gain relevant work experience, you can begin looking for a job in corporate communications. As you look for a job, be sure to showcase your writing abilities in a well-crafted cover letter. Also be sure to highlight your education, including degrees and certificates, on your resumé.
You may also want to put together a portfolio of your written work, including social media captions, emails, press releases and marketing materials. This can show your potential employers what kinds of projects you have handled and the caliber of work you can produce.
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.
If you’re interested in corporate communications, earning a bachelor’s degree in business is a good place to start. Business degree programs at the °®ÎŰ´«Ă˝ teach skills such as leadership, communication, management and operations.
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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