3 Business Tips for the Communications Graduate
As I near my commencement ceremony and prepare to enter the workforce, I have noticed a few areas where my peers and I struggle with in the professional realm. Unlike many of my peers, all of my internship experiences were with large corporations, which has consequently forced me to adopt a more business-minded approach. However, I see many communications graduates that get stuck in the mindset of classroom theories and methodical approaches. As a result, I thought it would be helpful to share a few tips to help the savvy-young communications professional prepare for the daunting world of business.
1. Time is money
Business professionals have a crazy schedule and only have time for the important points. Details can be read over in an e-mail report or proposal. My advice is to get organized to efficiently deliver your key concepts, but also be prepared to answer any detail-oriented questions if they arise. I have sat in on several client meetings where communications students are either ill-prepared or just plain out get excited or overwhelmed. When a thirty minute meeting turns into a two hour fiasco, it is like a bad car wreck you cannot look away from. You can lose your credibility as a business professional and/or flat out lose any attention or interest in the matter.
2. Be flexible
Business tends to be political and bureaucratic, the decision making process is long and grueling. When consulting or proposing a plan to any business or organization you must be flexible, as an internal or external employee. A month long project can be scratched or shifted in a single meeting. A company can change management, business models, or just a general direction and you have to take it with a grain of salt and revisit the drawing board.
3. Be resilient
Business is not like communication, in the sense that business focuses more on profit than its publics. Many of your ideas may get shot down because they do not have a direct impact on profit, or simply no room in the budget. The “no” response should not be taken personally and it should not discourage you from being persistent. The business world is fast and loud, you have to have thick skin and be confident with your contributions. Instead, it is important to handle it with composure, professionalism, and confidence because you will be a more respected professional for it.
Jake Smith, Account Associate | Jake is a senior at Grand Valley State University studying Advertising & Public Relations. He is also a two-year member of Grand Valley’s PRSSA chapter, as well as an Account Associate for Grand Valley’s student-run PR firm, GrandPR. In addition to his involvement in various PR programs, Jake enjoys spending time on the Kalamazoo River fishing or on a basketball court playing pick-up ball.