Look beyond the obvious.
When choosing a course, be clear on what you need and search beyond the obvious. Research widely: explore formal qualifications as well as more casual courses. Look outside your city and research schools outside the communication field. If you’re looking to specialise in IC, an IC qualification may be right. But if you need stronger business acumen, a business school could be your choice. Don’t hesitate to ask others for tips and experiences. What are you looking to grow into?
Be realistic.
Be honest not just about your needs, but your available resources as well. Studying requires time, money and energy – and you still need a life. Take a realistic look at your resources and align your goals accordingly. If you’ll be studying alongside work, try to integrate them. Maybe you can make a case study at your workplace, or your employer might allow some study time during work hours. Start that conversation. It’s also a chance to show your potential.
Make sure it is what you want.
Whatever course or programme you pick, make sure it supports your goals and needs. Studying requires commitment, and external motivation can fade. You’re investing time and energy – and often money – so make sure it’s something that feels right for you. A big study commitment, especially on top of work, can feel daunting. But having a clear time limit helps you focus and prioritise, knowing it won’t last forever.
Do the hard(est) work.
You’ll need to make space for the work – and that means doing the hardest part: prioritising. Especially if you’re working full time, you may need to drop some extras for a while (bye bye, Netflix marathons). You’ll likely need to accept missing out on some things while committing to your course. At the same time, the more your mind works, the more you need to take care of your wellbeing – which brings me to my final point…
Take care of yourself.
You belong at the centre of your life. Avoid the trap of shorter sleep and poor meals. They might seem like solutions in the short-term, but they’ll backfire. Protect your capacity by keeping the basics intact: get enough sleep, eat well, stay hydrated and get some exercise. Sometimes the best thing you can do is take a break and go outside. Remember, you’re doing this for yourself.
Connect with Sanna at linkedin.com/in/sannakantelinen/
Find out more about IoIC’s qualifications at https://www.ioic.org.uk/learn-develop/qualifications.html
Find out more about the Masters in Internal Communication Management at https://www.ioic.org.uk/learn-develop/qualifications/masters.html
