Symmetry is pleased to have Mount Saint Vincent University Alumni Contributors who share ideas, experiences, and communications and public relations best practices.
Many of our Alumni Contributors served as Editors on Symmetry’s executive team while they were students. This is true for Jane Landry, who currently works in internal communications at a health organization.
We sat down with Jane to learn more about her time at the Mount and her experience working in communications.
What was your favourite part about the public relations program at the Mount?
I loved my time at the Mount, and credit my experience to the faculty, staff, and students who make the university and public relations program so special. Although it is hard to choose, the co-op program was my favourite part of the public relations program. It was motivating and exciting to have the opportunity to apply classroom learnings in a professional setting, and return to school with more experience and a greater understanding of course concepts. Through my co-op placements at a health authority and medical device startup, I discovered my interest and passion for the health sector. Prior to the co-op program, I never envisioned working in the health sector, and that was mainly because I did not realize the opportunities for communicators within health organizations. From health non-profits and foundations to government, software, consulting, and much more, communicators interested in health have a place in the sector.
I encourage public relations students to make the most of each co-op placement – whether exploring an industry or role that interests them, initiating coffee chat conversations with their colleagues, or taking on special projects! I have come to learn that the skills, experiences, and relationships built from each co-op will stay with you throughout your career.
What do you enjoy most about working in communications?
Although the fast-paced nature of the work and the versatility of the profession in terms of industry, sector, and role is what drew me to communications, I feel there is no greater reward than working with people to achieve organizational and shared goals. As someone who works in internal communications, my role is to support thousands of employees with timely and valuable communications to help advance mutual understanding, employee engagement, change management, the organization’s mission, and values, and more.
Is there anything that surprised you about the communications profession?
What stood out to me the most when I first started working in communications was that the best communicators and communication functions do not operate as a business silo. In my current role, working with and supporting departments – such as human resources, operations, IT, finance, etc. – is crucial to the success of the internal communications team’s mission to provide employees with the information they need and want. This is true for external communications in the sense that collaboration with key stakeholders is required to effectively and successfully understand the context, the content, and the key audiences to reach.
What do you see as being a trend in communications?
Through networking, professional development training, and case studies about internal communications, there is a shift towards increased audience segmentation and personalized communications. It has always been crucial to know your audience and how to connect with them; however, with the continuing rise of technology and constant information overload, it has never been more important to get people’s attention.
For example, instead of a mass email to all employees at an organization, perhaps the message goes to the impacted departments and is sent from their leader.
How do you see the profession changing in the next few years?
What comes to mind first is the rise and adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), which will undoubtedly change all professions going forward. While I have a lot to learn about AI and its application, I do believe that it is the future and will enhance and further specialize the role of a communications professional.
What do you do outside of work?
I volunteer at Ronald McDonald House Charities Atlantic and play ringette. I also enjoy skiing, yoga, and staying up-to-date with current events.
What advice would you give to MSVU students?
Meet as many people as possible to learn about their background and career path. Not only do you grow your network and build relationships, you also see what opportunities and industries are out there for you to explore. But most importantly, enjoy your time at the Mount and this stage of your life.
Alumni Contributor: Jane Landry
Jane is a communications professional with government, tech, and corporate experience. While she has many interests, her passion is healthcare communications and supporting Atlantic Canada’s health sector. Jane holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of New Brunswick and a Bachelor of Public Relations from Mount Saint Vincent University.
