To become a communications coordinator, focus on education and work experience in marketing, journalism, or business. Most companies require a college education, and gaining experience in advertising or marketing is important. Improving editing skills and gaining experience writing for companies and media is also helpful. Networking with industry leaders and gaining leadership experience is important. Practical training and lower-level jobs may be necessary to gain experience. Having an editorial background and attending industry conferences can also be beneficial.
There really isn’t a set formula you can follow to become a communications coordinator, but focusing your education and work experience on marketing, journalism, or business is a good starting point. Most companies require a college education, and many schools have internship offices where you can look for work in communications or media relations while studying. Getting a job with this type of company is a good way to familiarize yourself with the work you’ll be doing as a coordinator, and it can also help you establish a name in the field. There are also a number of things you can do to make yourself more attractive as a candidate, including improving your editing skills and gaining experience writing for companies and the media. Reaching out to industry leaders to learn about their jobs and make yourself known can also be helpful, whether you’re looking for your first job or hoping for a promotion.
Formal education and training
This type of work is almost always reserved for people with a college education, and the sooner you decide you want to work in communications, the better. Several colleges and universities offer certificate, undergraduate, and graduate programs in the field of communications. Classes in these programs focus on the essential skills most coordinators and other communications professionals need to master, and can also provide some hands-on experience, either through internships or networking events with industry leaders.
While many schools offer undergraduate and graduate degrees specifically in communications, that doesn’t have to be your major to get a job in that field. It’s still wise to take journalism, English, and public relations classes to provide the foundation for you to become a communications coordinator, but many companies will hire anyone who meets the basic requirements, as long as they seem like a good fit for the job. Publishing, writing and editing courses are also often really helpful. Most business courses are also considered advantageous, particularly integrated marketing, consumer behavior and brand management.
Importance of robust experiences
Your main focus after you become a communications coordinator will likely involve increasing a company’s presence or improving the company’s public image; therefore, it’s a good idea to get as much advertising or marketing experience as possible. Most coordinators create material for the company’s various publications and the website. Doing things like working in the university magazine or newspaper or in the events department can provide you with valuable training that will look great on a resume.
Volunteering to organize events or running a club can also provide the kind of leadership experience employers are looking for. Some of the other major job tasks include planning production schedules, organizing marketing campaigns and press conferences, and planning company events or industry-related conventions. Hiring managers often want to see evidence that you’ve had enough relevant experiences to be successful in the field of general communications. Doing everything you can to prepare ahead of time is often the best way to plan for success.
Interpersonal skills, sometimes referred to as “people skills,” are also really important as coordinators interact with coworkers and customers via email, meetings, and other special events. Most companies prefer a communications coordinator who can balance working independently with being part of a team on special projects. Any experience you may gain working with this team will be further evidence to a potential employer that you are prepared to work in this industry.
Practical training
It is not always easy to find a job as a coordinator right after school. Many companies prefer or require communications coordinators to have at least one year of related experience and three or four years of work in more competitive companies. This means you may need to take a job with a lower status – as an associate or junior team member, for example – until you build a skill set relevant enough to be promoted.
Sometimes the skills and experience you need can also be gained through marketing internships and entry-level work while you’re still studying, which can be a way to accelerate your career trajectory. In turn, a career as a communications coordinator can open the door to higher-level positions such as a communications specialist, marketing or media manager, or director of marketing. Once you have the necessary experience and skills, you can work in environments such as corporations, non-profit groups or the media and entertainment industries, as well as hospitals, government offices and universities.
Focus on editing skills
Having an editorial background can also help you become a communications coordinator. In coordinating information, the marketing coordinator often writes press releases and company articles for company newsletters and bulletins. In other settings, such as political campaigns, you may also be asked to write speeches. Experience with copyediting and proofreading is often a plus, as you may need to proofread articles or other published work written by your staff. Having a job working on your school newspaper in high school and college would be an excellent way to prepare for this aspect of the profession.
Network Benefits
Many people feel that the best way to get noticed by media companies is to get to know people from the inside. Meeting with industry leaders is often an important part of entering the field, as these people will have the necessary connections to advise you on where to apply, introduce you to other professionals, and possibly even serve as a professional reference. Simply reaching out to people in your city can be a good starting point, and many are willing to give “information interviews” to students or other young professionals looking for advice. Attending industry conferences and meetings can also be a good way to learn about trends and meet others who share your interests.
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