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Studies & Degrees in Political and Corporate Communication

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Political and Corporate Communications normally refer to a form of consulting that relates to helping organizations or political figures form a relationship with their audiences. Political and Corporate Communication experts have to ensure that the message reaches the public by employing the right medium, and they normally guarantee tangible results.

Usually, such experts organize various campaigns, forming a strategic approach for their clients, who (as mentioned earlier) can be corporations, trade associations, charities, or individuals. The principal branches that agencies of political and corporate communication normally cover are: public affairs – these involve government relations and political campaigning, as well as reputation management and political PR; corporate PR – focusing on corporate relations, media relations, and training; and crisis management - this is when clients are supported and given advice on how to handle different types of crisis.

Personal Qualities

In order to enter this career field, you need to possess a great deal of confidence and self esteem. You should feel very much at ease in the presence of important figures, be able to win their respect and attention. Further qualities are:

  • Exceptional written and oral communication skills
  • Outstanding problem-solving skills
  • Creativity and open-mindedness
  • Excellent decision-making skills
  • Prepared to work long hours
  • Prepared to travel and easily adapt to new situations

Study Options

To pursue a career in political or corporate communications, you would most likely need a degree in Politics, Economics, Marketing & PR, or related. Within these courses, you could look for optional subjects or courses that focus on communication, relationship management, etc. Courses in journalism would also be helpful.

Most importantly, you need to spend your university years pro-actively seeking opportunities to enter the area of political and corporate communications, which can be done through summer internships, joining organizations, and seeking to study in a metropolitan city, which is most likely to provide such opportunities.

Career Options

Career options for this area are mainly concentrated in specialized consulting agencies, who deal with the services outlined in the introduction paragraph. If you wish to go into this career field, it would be a good idea for you to start researching graduate opportunities while you are still at college. Keep in mind that these agencies will expect you to have at least a bachelor’s degree, combined with very high academic profile. You should start planning the appropriate network of friends and acquaintances by participating in the right organizations and clubs (political, PR, etc,), which should be offered at any standard-level university.

With the appropriate amount of experience and the relationships you form, you can also work on freelance basis, or manage your own agency, focusing on one or more of the aspects of political and corporate communications.