My student experience studying the IOIC Foundation Diploma by Beth Flaherty
My student experience studying the IOIC Foundation Diploma by Beth Flaherty
Communications & Engagement Manager at NatWest, Beth shares how the IOIC Foundation Diploma gave her the confidence and frameworks to challenge up, think holistically, and make a real impact in her first IC role.
How the Foundation Diploma gave me the confidence to challenge up.
The Foundation Diploma has been absolutely invaluable for me in my first year in an Internal Communications role. The course content has helped me to form a solid understanding of the key academic principles and best practices within the discipline. In particular, it has strengthened my ability to challenge senior stakeholders effectively, as I am able to confidently underpin my arguments with my learnings from the course.
How I changed the way I plan and deliver communications.
My learnings from the course have shifted my mindset when it comes to planning and delivering communications, and I ensure that I factor in the diversity of employee groups and their varying needs. I have gained new perspectives and now have a deepened understanding around different channels and means of communication, recognising their individual strengths and weaknesses, and the importance of a holistic, multi-channel approach that is inclusive and accessible for all employees.
The topics and skills that have made the biggest difference.
I found the focus on employee groups and channels extremely helpful. I feel that it has helped me to better understand my audience and ensure that communications are tailored accordingly to meet the needs of the various groups. The course also emphasised the crucial role of senior leadership in effective communication, so I have sought to leverage this wherever possible and design communication strategies that focus on creating solid relationships between colleagues and leaders, allowing for two-way conversation. It has also been incredibly helpful in building my confidence and empowering me to help upskill others.
Why I'd recommend this course and how to make the most of it.
I would absolutely recommend this course to anyone who is starting out their career in IC, or even those who are just interested in learning more about the discipline. You will finish your studies with a solid understanding of IC and how to maximise your impact in this area. It was a great opportunity to connect with other professionals across a wide range of industries, and we found that we would often learn from each other and our unique experiences, as well as from the course itself. In terms of advice, I’d recommend just getting fully stuck in as much as possible! Get to know your peers and bounce ideas off each other, as it will really support your learning journey. It can also be helpful to share your learnings from the course with your team at work – a lot of the topics prompted interesting discussions with colleagues and it was valuable to get their insights on various IC principles. Finally, try to join the drop-in sessions for each module. Even if you don’t necessarily have a specific question to ask, it can be useful to hear from others about how they are progressing and give you some extra clarity on assignments.
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