By Amanda Cosentino
Amanda Cosentino shares what swayed her decision to recently join IABC.
“So, what do you do?”
If someone tells you that they are an accountant, you almost automatically think, “oh they must be a CPA,” or if someone says they are in Human Resources, it is easy to assume they are an HRPA.
But when someone says, “I am a communications professional,” you get the “oh very interesting” look. And when you try to further explain what it is that you do (I’m sure that “I tell the corporate story,” “I help promote and live out the brand,” or “I write communications for our 10,000 employees” ring a bell to some of you), you are met with a polite nod and smile.
So, one day I said to myself: “enough is enough” – I wanted to see if there was a designation or a group that I can find to associate with my communications peers. IABC was one of the first links I clicked on.
I quickly learned that IABC is recognized as the professional association of choice for communicators. There were two major things that made me want to join:
- Large group of professionals. There are 950 members at IABC/Toronto Chapter. To me, this meant that I had a good chance of connecting with someone who would understand me. There is also The Hub, which is a place where you can connect with communication professionals around the world, share insights, or pose a question and participate in a discussion. I absolutely loved the idea of being able to ask people across the world questions about how to solve a problem or explain something to employees that we can all relate to, like COVID-19 and return to work.
- Different opportunities to enhance your skills. Remember that designation problem I mentioned? Solved. There are a couple different certification programs depending on where you are in your career. If you are a member, you can apply for a discount towards a Communication Management Professional (CMP) or Strategic Communication Management Professional (SCMP). And, since IABC has such a large network of professionals, it is easy to find someone who went through one of the certification programs to ask questions. If you aren’t interested in something as formal as a designation, there are a ton of webinars available throughout the year and on demand to enhance your skills and gain a new perspective on the profession.
After I did a bit more research, I joined – and couldn’t be happier!
The Hub has become one of my favourite places to check out on a regular basis. I love being able to participate in discussions and share my experiences with someone on the other side of the world who is going through a similar issue that I faced. I’ve also come to see that a lot of the discussions, whether relevant to my work or not, are highly participated in and always interesting and insightful to read. I know that, one day, when I pose a question to The Hub, it will be answered by my fellow professionals who share the same passion for quality, creativity, and innovation in corporate communications.
Although my schedule hasn’t allowed for it yet, I’m very interested in the webinars and already joined a few that are upcoming this summer and fall.
I am excited now that when someone asks what I do, I will be met with more than just a nod and smile. Maybe that should be my first question to The Hub – “How do you explain to non-communication professionals what you do?”
Amanda Cosentino is the Communications Lead at WISE Trust. She’s known as a one-stop-shop for breaking down financial concepts into clear and concise communications. You can reach out to Amanda at Amanda.d.cosentino@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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