Power, Influence and More - Communications Becomes Alternate to Going to Law School or for M.B.A.

 When hard times came, those in corporate communications were usually sized up as expendable - and laid off. They also were without a "seat at the table."

That's changed - radically. 

The new Edelman report documents that the function has gained power, influence and a direct channel to the CEO and the rest of the C-Suite. 

For example, 91% of Chief Communications Officers (CCOs) surveyed indicate that they directly participated in decision-making with CEOs about strategy at the front end. Only 9% noted that they were only consulted after everything was already in-place.

In addition, that role has become a stand-alone. It is less likely to be folded into marketing or legal. 

The career implications are huge. This path becomes more attractive to the ambitious who might have gone to law school or for the M.B.A. If you land the right internships in college that could be all you need to start out in communications. You have the knowledge base, experience and network. The rest, which is becoming the standard versus adding on another degree such as a Master's in Communications, would be learning on-the-job. 

Yes, this is all about the bird-in-the-hand. Too many of advanced professional degrees have become in this upside-down economy birds-in-the-bush and ones which pile on educational loan debt. Follow the professional anonymous networks such as Blind, Fishbowl and Reddit and you will encounter the pain of those whose higher education hasn't panned out in getting that entry-level job or job security. 

That vulnerability to breaking into the field, layoffs and outright firings could worsen. For example, just today the Financial Times verifies that dealmaking, the bread-and-butter for law and management consulting players, isn't in a recovery mode. 

A sign of the times, the COVID saga which made headlines with overcapacity and wild hiring is being replaced by a kind of shock coverage. That's about firms such as Paul Weiss which still seem flush with cash and Williams & Connolly and Covington which are grabbing big kahuna accounts such as defending Amazon. 

The safety associated with communications career paths is that there are so many and so diverse. In addition to the corporate setting there are myriad other options. Those range from a career in public relations agencies to being an independent contractor. Also, the playing field is global. You can set up shop in Belize. 

Data or the gut for your careers and communications? Both of course. Complimentary consultation with intuitive coach, content-creator, and Tarot reader Jane Genova (text 203-468-8579, janegenova374@gmail.com).