Try It On For Size
Heidi Kirby // September 29, 2011
I’ve never had a great desire to venture into the world of internal communications.
While understanding it would likely count for at least part of my career someday, I had set my sights on the external side of public relations (PR): the fast-paced, media relating, story pitching, deadline-driven external communicator.
Not that an internal communicator isn’t driven by deadlines, fast-pace, and exciting moments, mind you; I just hadn’t seen it that way (or taken the time to really look).
I began my first workplace role in the area of internal communications just after Labour Day this year at Medavie Blue Cross’ Dartmouth corporate office. As I slowly eased the car into Burnside Park amidst a slow stream of traffic (likely) heading begrudgingly back to work after the long weekend, I felt the usual first day jitters. Yet, beyond the tinge of anxiety, I was truly excited to begin my third and final work term as Medavie Blue Cross’ Internal Communications Co-op Student.
So… why this change of direction? After having a fairly one-track, external communications-focused career goal throughout my time at the Mount, I realized something while applying for co-op postings back in May. How can one truly know ‘what they like’ without giving the other options a fair trial? I decided I wanted to seek out an internally-focused position for my final work term. I became more and more fascinated with this area of communications. I’m happy to report–from what I can tell so far– that yes, internal communication is fast paced, and interesting too!
Thus far, I am deeply immersed in researching and writing a communications strategy to overhaul the organization’s current newsletter. I have a string of employee events lined up to plan and execute before the term’s end in mid-December. I have a large (spanning multiple provinces), yet closely-knit team of welcoming communications professionals for support. Lastly, I have a clear outline of how my co-op term is looking: I have the flexibility to suggest new projects and work alongside the communications team. Things are looking good around here.
Though I’m only writing this in week two, I’m already seeing the job of an internal communicator as incredibly comprehensive: planning events, creating communications strategies, researching, interviewing, writing, coordinating and even being part of some exciting charity events. This week I helped build a colourful tin can structure for Feed Nova Scotia’s “Big Build” event – before heading back to my desk to quickly put together an article and photos of the event to send all Dartmouth employees that same afternoon.
I feel that having at least one internally-focused co-op under my belt will provide me with a more complete resume and portfolio than if I had remained on one track. Hopefully the experience will also translate into success if I decide to apply for internal relations PR jobs in the big post-graduation search for employment next year.
Whether trying out government, not-for-profit, corporate, agency, internal or external, each co-op is a building block toward becoming a well-rounded PR practitioner. What better opportunity to try it all out? To round out your work experiences and discover what you truly enjoy? As for internal communications and I… the discovery has so far been great.
