The IoIC is on an important mission to raise awareness of internal communication as a career of choice and shift the narrative from 'I fell into IC' to 'I chose IC'.
#IChoseIC Series
Hear from professionals about their career journeys and what it's like to work in the world of internal communication.
#IChoseIC Out and About
Here are a few highlights from a variety of our recent activities.
Jennifer Sproul & Laura Colantuono
"It was a pleasure to spend two hours with students at LSE alongside the wonderful Laura who so kindly shared her career journey. Sharing our mutual passion for internal communication and the fantastic career you can have in the profession is such a rewarding experience. The students were highly engaged and asked lots of interesting questions from the type of roles, what they could get involved in and the opportunities to enter the profession. Continuing our #IChooseIC agenda is so important to the future of this amazing profession."
Jennifer Sproul, CEO, IoIC
"As a proud #IChoseIC Ambassador, I was thrilled to share my career journey with LSE's students. Explaining the ins and outs of my job and why it's important for organisations was a total highlight. And seeing the students so engaged made me even more proud. Big thanks to the IoIC for the opportunity, and a shout-out to the fabulous Jennifer Sproul for being an amazing co-host!"
Laura Colantuono, IoIC Board Dirctor and#IChoseIC Ambassador
Laura Colantuono, #IChoseIC Ambassador
"As a proud #IChoseIC Ambassador, I was thrilled to share my career journey with LSE's students. Explaining the ins and outs of my job and why it's important for organisations was a total highlight. And seeing the students so engaged made me even more proud. Big thanks to the IoIC for the opportunity, and a shout-out to the fabulous Jennifer Sproul for being an amazing co-host!"
Jennifer Sproul and Laura Colantuono
Jennifer and Laura delivered a skills seminar for students at The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).
Jen introduced students to the internal communication profession, explored the key knowledge, skills and behaviours required of an IC practitioner, and shared insights into the exciting opportunities within the profession,
Laura then talked to them about her journey into the internal communication profession, her experiences in IC roles; and how rewarding internal comms can be as a career.
Stacy Gibbs
As part of our #IChoseIC Campaign Ambassador Stacy Gibbs spoke to students at Strathclyde University about her IC career journey and the reality of the role day to day.
The session was part of a Careers in PR & Communications event which aimed to help students and graduates explore new career ideas and hear from industry professionals about their real-life experiences of a role.
Meet the Ambassadors
Juliet Green
I have over 17 years’ experience of working in internal comms and passionately believe that IC plays a critical role in building trust, enhancing employee experience, supporting culture change and deepening engagement. I’m an Institute of Internal Communications (IoIC) mentor helping internal communicators to flourish and grow their careers and an IoIC Ambassador helping to promote Internal Communications as a career because it’s not always a career that comes to mind when thinking about where to start in the world of work and we need more fabulously talented people joining our profession!
Melanie Hinds
A 25 year career in professional communications with 14 of these dedicated to internal communications. I have helped organisations to achieve their strategic objectives and include the role of internal communications as a critical part of their business success.
Internal communications advice and strategic delivery can work across all business areas, helping employees to understand their organisation and feel better connected to it. It can work two-way, in that it can also support employees to be positive advocates and influencers, to enrich organisational culture and the employer brand.
Within a team, internal communications professionals can diversify and nurture specific skills around technology, audio-visual media, best practice copy delivery, strategic planning, project management, accessibility, event management and more.
Having our key stakeholder group (employees) right alongside us allows us to easily collaborate, question, test and measure our work, so that it can be as efficient and effective as possible and continuously improves.
The range of work can be very diverse, challenging but also rewarding. We can support organisations through major change, including growth, restructures and rebrands; we support with learning and improvement approaches to diversity, inclusion and well-being; we support employee recognition, learning and development; and we can implement and manage a range of channels and communication touch points.
Internal communications as a career can develop many workplace and personal skills that support your ongoing work journey too, including:
- Developing clear, valuable and measurable strategy
- Planning and delivering timely, effective, collaborative and engaging work
- Expertise in accessibility, professional copywriting and editing, online content planning and delivery, online channel design and management
- Crisis response, strategy and leadership
- Strategic counsel, steering and advising others
- Well-being, diversity and inclusion knowledge
Disengaged employees can cost businesses millions of pounds in lost training, recruitment costs, sick days, creativity and innovation. As internal communications can have a direct impact on how colleagues feel about their organisation, it pays to invest in it. Join the internal communications movement and see what you can bring to the table to help make organisations even better places to work!
Gemma Woolley
I began my role in Internal Comms in 2022 and haven’t looked back. I love that you never stop learning. The world is constantly changing and there is always something new to explore. I’m proud to be an #IChooseIC ambassador and hope to help others discover this exciting industry that I am truly passionate about.
Laura Colantuono CIIC
Laura is a communications professional with over 12 years of experience gained in global organisations.
She’s Italian but has lived abroad for most of her life. Laura started her career as a journalist to then join Unilever Italy in 2010, where she discovered her passion for Internal Communications.
In 2014, she joined the luxury fashion brand Fendi to lead the global IC function and in 2019 she moved to London, where she joined Harrods as Internal Communications Manager. In 2020, she returned to the FMCG sector and joined The Kraft Heinz Company as Head of Internal Communications, International. After a short assignment at the fintech Klarna, she has recently joined the media company Fremantle, where she leads the global Internal Communications team.
Kirsty Bowen FIIC
Kirsty has 16 years’ experience leading internal communications functions and teams, and has been at Coventry Building Society since 2013. Her role spans colleague comms, engagement, diversity and inclusion, and wellbeing, alongside overseeing people policies and employee voice.
Working for a purpose-led organisation with high employee engagement may suggest there’s not much to do from a colleague experience perspective, but this isn’t true. Continuing to improve, add strategic value and develop with a small budget and within a regulated financial services environment presents interesting challenges!
Kirsty is an IoIC Fellow and Former Board Director. In addition, she regularly supports the judging of IoIC’s National Awards and is an #IChoseIC Ambassador.
Misty Oosthuizen
With over 30 years of experience in communications, people engagement, and people change management, I am dedicated to creating inclusive workplaces where everyone can thrive authentically. My journey began in South Africa, where the vibrant culture and diverse communities shaped my passion for people and storytelling. This passion led me to a career in internal communications (IC), where I could combine my love for creative storytelling with strategic thinking to drive meaningful change within organisations. Throughout my career, I've led global communication initiatives at major organisations like DHL eCommerce and Santander, enhancing people engagement and fostering inclusive cultures. My approach is hands-on and practical, always putting people first and ensuring that every voice is heard and valued.
I chose internal communications because effective communication is the heartbeat of a thriving workplace. It’s not just about sharing information - it's about building authentic connections, inspiring teams, and creating a genuine sense of belonging. As an #IChoseIC Ambassador, I champion this career because it allows for creativity, innovation, and a focus on people. It's about building trust, ensuring everyone feels secure and valued at work. Through IC, I help organisations align their values and strategies with the needs and aspirations of their people, driving both engagement and business success.
Are you interested in becoming an #IChoseIC Ambassador?
In order to reach as many people as possible and spread the #IChoseIC message, we are always looking for members to become #IChoseIC Ambassadors.
If you're passionate about your profession and want to use that passion to encourage others to consider a career in internal communication why not get involved and apply today?
Thank you to the following institutions which have already engaged with the #IChoseIC campaign and supported us to raise awareness of the internal communcation profession
