Niharika Nambiar is an IABC/Toronto volunteer and postgraduate student in Humber College’s public relations graduate certificate program. Before arriving in Canada, Niharika was an Account Executive at Adfactors PR, India’s largest homegrown PR firm.
As a new careerist, Niharika quickly joined IABC/Toronto. On the professional side, a primary benefit of joining was the opportunity to attend world-class professional development events presented by industry experts that informed and expanded on the communication theory Niharika is studying at Humber.
On the personal side, the draw was the networking opportunities. Niharika explains that networking was rare in her past public relations roles. Wanting to be better at it, she looked to the social aspects offered by IABC/Toronto to provide access to a myriad of local, national, and international communication professionals with whom she could build her network and assist others in expanding their networks through her. “IABC/Toronto has connected me to a bunch of wonderful individuals who I would otherwise not have met.”
Niharika capitalizes on IABC/Toronto’s endless volunteer opportunities to hone her existing competencies and build new ones. Niharika volunteered with Amie Silverwood’s team and helped manage the backend of the OVATIONS judging process. Now that process is concluded, Niharika has moved on to volunteer at the OVATIONS Red Carpet. Niharika is also part of the social media team for the 2023 World Conference in Toronto. Niharika volunteers for the Student Communicators Circle (SCC).
When asked, Niharika passionately explains that anyone interested in communication should join IABC/Toronto. An IABC/Toronto membership is an investment in one’s future. Moreover, no matter the communication practitioner’s tenure, the need to update, expand and/or gain new communication knowledge and skills is ever-present. Niharika fully believes that IABC/Toronto’s leadership understands the importance of continuing education and building social capital as part of its raison d’être.
As for the future of communication, Niharika believes communication practitioners must continue to be light on their feet, ready to pivot when presented with new technology. For example, understanding how ChatGPT works can assist in gathering the initial research required to assist communication practitioners in crafting key messages – messages that cut through the noise and grab an audience’s attention in engaging and ethical ways.
Niharika firmly believes well-planned and executed communications help companies present their authentic voice and connect with their audience beyond selling products or services. Well-told company stories tell of the company’s successes and its people. That builds an enduring para-social connection between the organization and its audience. This connection keeps target audiences invested in the company’s success. Most of all, friendly messaging makes customers feel they are part of the company’s journey and not simply bystanders.
Niharika completed her Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communications from the Manipal Institute of Communication (Manipal University) in India. Niharika interned in multiple media careers before finding her passion for communication. Niharika is the recipient of an International Entrance Scholarship from Humber and was named to the Dean’s Honour List for Fall 2022.
Beginning May 2023, Niharika will start her internship at Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC). Niharika is excited to merge her past communication experience with her expanded knowledge to move the SDTC communication agenda forward. A corporation’s public wants to know what organizations are doing, saying and talking about, and standing for.
Niharika knows that if you put your hand up, you will be called to help. Give it a fair shot, and you will see that there is something for everyone at IABC/Toronto.
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Written by Caterina Valentino. To be featured in the next Member Spotlight, please email: toronto-membership@iabc.to