By Anjali Rego
Anjali Rego shares how IABC helped her settle in a new country and build her credibility and personal brand in the professional community in “Making the most of my membership: A new Canadian’s journey.”
After working in journalism and corporate communications in the United Kingdom and India, my next stop was Canada, the country I now call home. I moved to Canada with many transferable skills but no Canadian work experience.
I knew all about the IABC because I had previously attended their networking events in the UK and India through my employers’ memberships. Being a new Canadian, I knew the importance of networking, but I didn’t know anyone here. I wanted to connect with communications professionals and familiarize myself with the communications industry, and the best way to do it was by joining a professional organization like IABC. Living in Toronto gave me access to IABC/Toronto, the largest IABC chapter in the world.
As soon as I joined IABC/Toronto, I received a welcome email inviting me to a new member orientation. The one thing that struck me during this new member orientation was: the more you put into your membership, the more you will benefit from your membership. Keeping this in mind, I connected with all the VPs, let them know that I wanted to volunteer, and asked to reach out to me if they needed any help. My desire to
serve the professional community led me to join the Communications and Digital Media team, managing all social media channels of IABC/Toronto. And what a rewarding experience it has been:
- Liaising with the different VPs to understand their priorities gave me a better understanding of the organization and kept me up-to-date with all that was happening in the industry and within the IABC.
- Creating content for the chapter’s social media channels honed my social media skills and simultaneously built my Canadian work experience and a Canadian portfolio of work, which many employers ask for.
- Speaking to many communications professionals gave me a better perspective about the industry and the opportunity to reflect on what I truly love and believe in.
Because of the IABC’s international reach, I found The Hub to be an effective platform to connect with communications professionals around the world, share ideas and learn about what is going on across geographies.
But the one thing I am most grateful for is the mentorship opportunity. I was matched with a mentor who was an experienced communications professional and a very patient and understanding individual who helped me better understand the Canadian media landscape and the workplace culture. I hope to follow her example and become a mentor and support communications professionals in whatever way I can.
I believe that simply joining a professional organization is not enough – one must commit to being an active member to really benefit from the experience. I feel good about myself because I can use my skills and time for the benefit of others. Being an active member and volunteer has put me in good standing professionally. I was able to leverage the power of the chapter and its various networking opportunities to reach out to professionals for informational interviews, and employers have shown interest in my association with the IABC and my engagement with the profession.
I joined the IABC/Toronto a month before we went into lockdown, and my entire IABC/Toronto experience has been virtual. Although I have never met my peers, other members, and volunteers in person, I have built lasting relationships and friendships. My membership has opened several doors of communications and connections, and for that, I cannot recommend the IABC enough.
Anjali Rego is a seasoned communications professional who has worked in journalism and corporate communications in the UK and India. She is currently working as a Corporate Communications Specialist at Corus Entertainment. She also manages the social media channels of the IABC/Toronto. Connect with Anjali on LinkedIn or send her an email at anjalirego@gmail.com. By Cassandra Cleveland As a new mom and communications professional, returning to work after maternity leave brought a wave of mixed emotions. The excitement of rejoining the professional realm was tempered by the realization that the communications landscape had evolved during my time away, leaving me with a potential knowledge gap. Determined to bridge […] By Linda Bicho-Vachon I’ve always been a learner. In my former role, I completed my association’s certification program and stayed updated by attending industry seminars. The certification demonstrated that I had the skill and expertise to do my job and gave me confidence to grow my career. When I decided to transition to a […] By Prachi Shailendra As a communications professional who embarked on the Canadian journey in 2019 with over six years of international experience in corporate communications, I vividly recall the challenges and triumphs of breaking into the local job market. I soon realized that for newcomers, success often hinges on more than just a polished […] By Andrea Walasek Dear Readers, It is a pleasure to introduce myself as the Editor-in-Chief of IABC/Toronto’s Communicator publication for 2023-2024. As a dedicated professional who has worked in Public Relations for over 19 years and a proud volunteer with IABC/Toronto, I am happy to bring you the Winter 2024 issue, focused on a topic […] By Matisse Hamel-Nelis Matisse Hamel-Nelis reminds us that IDEA are more than just buzzwords; they are vital principles that can transform the world of communications. In the ever-evolving world of communications, the principles IDEA are gaining increasing significance. When applied effectively, they help foster a more enriched, engaging and impactful communication environment – enhancing meaningful internal […]Return to the Summer 2021 Issue of Communicator
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