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Job outlook for vice presidents, corporate communications in the United States
Are vice president, corporate communications jobs in demand?
Vice president, corporate communications job and salary trends over time
Vice president, corporate communications jobs over time
Vice president, corporate communications job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,061 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 2,013 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 1,965 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 1,799 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 1,671 | 0.00% |
Average vice president, corporate communications salary over time
Vice president, corporate communications salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $83,101 | $39.95 | +4.1% |
| 2024 | $79,848 | $38.39 | +2.1% |
| 2023 | $78,225 | $37.61 | +3.2% |
| 2022 | $75,826 | $36.45 | +3.7% |
| 2021 | $73,128 | $35.16 | +3.1% |
Vice president, corporate communications jobs by state
Most common states for vice presidents, corporate communications
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 471 | 68% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,286 | 19% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 150 | 16% |
| 4 | Vermont | 623,657 | 84 | 13% |
| 5 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,533 | 12% |
| 6 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,060 | 12% |
| 7 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,022 | 12% |
| 8 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 880 | 12% |
| 9 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 365 | 12% |
| 10 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 132 | 12% |
| 11 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 104 | 12% |
| 12 | California | 39,536,653 | 4,261 | 11% |
| 13 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 646 | 11% |
| 14 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 462 | 11% |
| 15 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 387 | 11% |
| 16 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 82 | 11% |
| 17 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 64 | 11% |
| 18 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 575 | 10% |
| 19 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 138 | 10% |
| 20 | Alaska | 739,795 | 76 | 10% |
Most common cities for vice presidents, corporate communications
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | 2 | 0% | $85,987 |
| 2 | Minneapolis | 1 | 0% | $73,907 |
| 3 | Orlando | 1 | 0% | $65,809 |
| 4 | San Francisco | 1 | 0% | $104,270 |
Vice President, Corporate Communications job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of vice president, corporate communications experts
Michigan Technological University
University of Wisconsin -- Madison
Michigan Technological University
Dominican University of California
Southern Illinois University
Saint John's University
Penn State University, Brandywine
University of Missouri-St. Louis
Luther College
Morehouse College
Indiana University Northwest
University of Connecticut
University of New Haven
Neumann University
Dixie State University
University of Michigan-Flint
Huntingdon College
Bellarmine University
Albright College
Saint Xavier University
Dr. Maria Bergstrom
Academic Advisor:Humanities and Modern Languages, Lecturer: Writing and Literature, Humanities Internship CoordinatorMichigan Technological University
Department of Humanities
What soft skills should all Vice Presidents, Corporate Communications possess?
Dr. Maria Bergstrom: I think it always helps to have experience working with diverse teams--and of course, that includes social/cultural/ethnic/racial diversity, but also working with people of different age groups, perhaps, or people from different technical areas. Our humanities students at Michigan Tech, for example, work on a lot of teams with students in engineering, and I think being able to bridge those different ways of knowing and different ways of thinking about products and processes can be a real strength. Also, the ability to listen empathetically and think about how other people might make different assumptions in a given situation than you do is valuable. It helps you be a better colleague, better leader and also helps you design and communicate with a more nuanced understanding of your audience.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Vice Presidents, Corporate Communications?
Dr. Maria Bergstrom: I think experience with a variety of platforms for communication is important--can you use a variety of digital tools and software, and are you able to think about how communication looks different in those different spaces? So, for example, can you use Google Suite or Microsoft Teams and maximize your efficiency and effectiveness because you are using all the tools available in those platforms? I also think an understanding of data analytics, search engine optimization, and other ways of tracking how your audiences are interacting with your communication platforms is important and will continue to be important.
Robert Glenn Howard Ph.D.
Director, Digital Studies & DesignLab, Professor, Department of Communication Arts, Affiliated FacultyUniversity of Wisconsin -- Madison
Department of Communication Arts
What skills stand out on Vice President, Corporate Communications resumes?
Robert Glenn Howard Ph.D.: For Communication Officer's resumes, the key skill is, of course, communication. That covers a huge range of specific skills, from designing and executing social media campaigns to interviewing people to designing and creating digital media. While technical skills can be learned, the central skill is the ability to succinctly and clearly see what needs to be said to whom and to do it best.
What soft skills should all Vice Presidents, Corporate Communications possess?
Robert Glenn Howard Ph.D.: Soft skills are always key in any professional context, and they are often the sort of thing you can convey to a potential employer by giving a good interview: one that shows you can listen and respond verbally at the moment.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Vice Presidents, Corporate Communications?
Robert Glenn Howard Ph.D.: Technical skills for communication officers include using social media platforms, using digital media software to create graphic, video, and audio content, understanding and doing some basic coding. Understanding the use of metadata tagging, social media marketing techniques, and database design and how those structures work can be assets.
What skills will help Vice Presidents, Corporate Communications earn the most?
Robert Glenn Howard Ph.D.: In the end, technical skills are the thing that will take you the furthest. While important, what's way more important is to foresee, imagine, and come up with solutions to problems and means to expand the goals of the institution you are working for. Doing the hard coding isn't what will take you to the top; it's leading others to do bunches of hard coding that then can come together into a global solution or global strategy that benefits your institution.
Dr. Stefka Hristova Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Digital Media, Humanities, Communication, Culture, and Media Undergraduate Program Director, Co-Leader for Tech Forward Education for the 21st Century IDEA HUB GenEdMichigan Technological University
Communication, Culture, & Media Undergraduate Program
What skills stand out on Vice President, Corporate Communications resumes?
Dr. Stefka Hristova Ph.D.: Communication is a central block for building a community. Through communication on interpersonal, group, organizational, and public levels, we can co-create shared cultures. As such, communication is at the core of our personal, professional, and social worlds. Being a good communicator entails not only the ability to speak and write/design but also expertise in being a good listener and careful reader of multimedia content. Communicators can create a common ground, and as such, they are indispensable to organizations that seek to have a meaningful engagement with the public.
Bradley Van Alstyne Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Communications, Coordinator, Online Learning and Development, Chair of the Communications and Media Studies DepartmentDominican University of California
Communication and Media Studies
What general advice would you give to a Vice President, Corporate Communications?
Bradley Van Alstyne Ph.D.: Stay current with distance communication platforms and become proficient at using them. For example, it would be wise to start developing interview skills using distance communication technologies and realize the differences between an onsite interview and a distance interview (eye contact and other interpersonal skills should translate from one-on-one to the camera).
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Vice President, Corporate Communications job market given the pandemic?
Bradley Van Alstyne Ph.D.: Traditional Institutionalized (not just temporary) distance roles that were once thought of as onsite-only (human resources for example) will likely become distance-oriented whenever possible, the technologies we use for distance communication will probably become much more personalizable, training incorporating distance communication technologies will become a part of regular job trainings, distance communication skill sets could gradually augment or even replace some of the standards we taught for years.
Sort of Dale Carnegie meets Zoom or in other words the perfect presentation will no longer be as formal but should include personal, more human moments as we endeavor to make interpersonal connections online. Distance skill sets will gradually replace our old standards. For example eye contact during a formal presentation and eye contact via Zoom or other distance platforms is very different (from in-person group to camera).
What Vice President, Corporate Communications skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Bradley Van Alstyne Ph.D.: I would recommend that graduates use that time to focus on creating a portfolio showing specific skills they think will put them ahead of other applicants. These can be universal (coding or graphic design for example) or specific to the type of job they want.
Justin Young
Assistant LecturerSouthern Illinois University
School of Communication Studies
What soft skills should all Vice Presidents, Corporate Communications possess?
Justin Young: Two big factors are affecting soft skill needs-diversity and remote work. As companies diversify, they need people who can deftly integrate diverse employees while keeping an open, understanding ear to those employees' needs. A background in intercultural communication and empathy is very useful here.
Along the same lines, COVID has forced many employees into remote work, and the truth is that some will never return to a traditional office schedule. Companies need communicators who can build those team dynamics when the team might be scattered across five states. Again, it's about listening to the needs and understanding that a video chat meeting is less about the tech and more about interpersonal communication and teamwork.
Nancy DiTunnariello Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorSaint John's University
Mass Communication
What skills stand out on Vice President, Corporate Communications resumes?
Nancy DiTunnariello Ph.D.: One of the best skills a Communication Manager can hold is taking charge during stressful situations yet still managing their team. A great manager will understand that they must delegate work to others on their team to get things accomplished. Utilizing and helping to cultivate the strengths of others on your team is an excellent skill to have and a true asset to your organization. One strong and capable employee is great; however, an entire team of them is even better.
What soft skills should all Vice Presidents, Corporate Communications possess?
Nancy DiTunnariello Ph.D.: Be personable! During the interview process, individuals are so focused on being "professional" that they forget to show potential employers who they really are. YOU are what sets you apart from other applicants. Also, employers want to see if your personality is a good fit with the company culture and the colleagues/clients you would be working with. Plus, would you want to work for an organization where you have to pretend and assume a false persona all day?
What skills will help Vice Presidents, Corporate Communications earn the most?
Nancy DiTunnariello Ph.D.: One of the characteristics that help you earn the most is your experience when searching for a job. Employers like to see that you have previous experience working in the field - especially if you have been working with other organizations in the same market. For example, suppose you are applying for a job in public relations at an agency specializing in entertainment PR, and you have had other positions in entertainment PR in the past. In that case, the hiring organization knows you are familiar with journalists and already have contacts in this market. This is why college programs really REALLY advocate for internships in the field before graduation. Any way you can get experience in the field that you plan to go into helps provide you with references who can speak on your abilities in the field and help you work on skills you will be utilizing throughout your entire career. More experience often equates to more money.
Hans Schmidt Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Communications, Coordinator, Schreyer and Cooper Honors ProgramsPenn State University, Brandywine
Communications Department
What soft skills should all Vice Presidents, Corporate Communications possess?
Hans Schmidt Ph.D.: I know that "soft skills" is commonly used, but I'm not a fan of the term. I think it implies that some of these skills are "soft" or "easy" or "unimportant." They aren't. In many ways, so-called "soft skills" - things like interpersonal communication skills - can be among the most important skills for any worker. This is especially the case in communication-related fields, where there is an expectation that human interaction - both in-person and mediated - is important. This is true with leadership skills and presentation/speaking skills.
Vicki Sauter Ph.D.
Professor of Information Systems and TechnologyUniversity of Missouri-St. Louis
Information Systems Department
How have salaries changed over time for Vice Presidents, Corporate Communications?
Vicki Sauter Ph.D.: Students in IST and cybersecurity are increasing. Supply is low, and demand is high.
Sarah Wilder Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorLuther College
Communication Studies Department
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Vice Presidents, Corporate Communications?
Sarah Wilder Ph.D.: I don't see how there won't be some sort of enduring impact. If you're asking about the individuals or the career field or all of the above, I suspect the impact of the pandemic will be far-reaching. This has been a life-altering experience on many levels. That being said, I believe humanity continues to show its resilience and that as we navigate the changes, sometimes traumas, of this experience, we also learn and grow from it. Individuals now have a better sense of themselves, their needs, and their goals having had to navigate a pandemic. Further, graduates have been forced to become more adaptable in every way and this will likely carry over into various careers. That these individuals know how to shift quickly between modes of communication may be an expectation and a benefit for them that they can. These graduates can interact face-to-face but have also learned how to interact via mediated channels of communication. Being able to do this, and do it competently, changes the expanse of the workforce. So, from personal to professional facets of their lives, I suspect there will be some lasting impact.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Vice Presidents, Corporate Communications?
Sarah Wilder Ph.D.: That's an interesting question for a degree like Communication Studies that doesn't have a designated career like other fields. Some positions of our recent graduates include anchor, producer, occupational therapist, director of career development, attorney at law, librarian, graduate student, social worker, marketing manager, and director of training, to name a few. So really what certifications or licenses are helpful will be position/career specific. As far as courses, I recommend a breadth of courses that prepare individuals to interact and communicate competently as well as think critically. This could mean taking an interpersonal communication course to better understand the nuances of truly empathic, competent communication with others, particularly in a diverse workforce, to taking a course on argumentation to better understand how to effectively present ideas and critically interact with a larger society's positions on complicated ideologies.
What will help Vice Presidents, Corporate Communications increase their earning potential?
Matthew Lange Ph.D.: Several articles over the past few years have noted the salary bump for employees with second-language skills. A 2014 report in The Economist entitled "What is a language worth?" indicated, for example, that German proficiency can add a 3.8% bump to your earnings, as calculated by MIT economist Albert Saiz. This increase can come directly from employers who pay a premium for language skills, or the employee can benefit from a larger pool of opportunities that are simply inaccessible to monolingual speakers.
But while many graduates increasingly like to consider return-on-investment (ROI) of a course of study or set of skills, let us not forget that quality of life is important as well, even if it is difficult to quantify. Learning another language and its culture exposes one to another value system that might prefer, for example, more vacation time over increased salary.
Dorothy Ige Campbell
Professor of Communication Emeritus, Founder & Former ChairIndiana University Northwest
Department of Communication
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Vice President, Corporate Communications job market given the pandemic?
Dorothy Ige Campbell: The emphases on graphic design and emerging media are in demand more than ever in an increasingly virtual world. New workers who have some Public Relations and persuasive communication backgrounds will have an edge. Those who work or go to school in diverse environments and have cross-cultural training during this time of civil rights demands are also suited for the new era. Jobs in Communication have decreased a bit (see below).
How have salaries changed over time for Vice Presidents, Corporate Communications?
Dorothy Ige Campbell: In general, changes in salaries vary widely by the type of institution (large Research-1 versus a smaller Teaching Campus); rank (part-time versus tenure-track positions, etc). In general, social science fields like Communication salaries tend to fall midway between higher paying science-related fields and lower paying humanities fields. The Chronicle of Higher Education at jobs.chronicle.com as well as the College and University Professional Association (CUPA) at www.cupahr.org and the National Communication Association www.natcom.org are the best sources for specific information on salaries in the various fields. While the newest data is yet being formulated, because of uncertainties about Covid and enrollment drops at some smaller campuses, we expect the demand for new positions to fall slightly, and with less negotiating for higher salaries. Per the NCA website "Communication positions increased by 130 percent from 2009 to 2018-19, before decreasing by 26 percent in 2019-20. . . the weakest year for employment in Communication since 2011." In addition to generalist positions, "Specialists in Strategic Communication/Public Relations/Advertising remained the most sought after." This was followed by "Journalism . . . and Mass Communication/Media Studies/Film Studies." These positions were followed by "Digital/New/Emerging Media, Health, Communication Technology and Intercultural/International/Global Communication."
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Vice President, Corporate Communications job market given the pandemic?
Mohamad Alkadry Ph.D.: Just like 9/11 resulted in substantial investment in homeland security jobs, I believe that the pandemic will likely result in a substantial investment in our public health infrastructure. More than ever before, Americans understand the importance of public servants at all levels. Americans, who have historically undermined the importance of the public serctor, were all looking to public officials more than ever before. The pandemic also highlighted the importance of professional non-elected officials' expertise to our survival. There was a clear respect for the evidence-based scientific knowledge and recommendations of professional public servants like Dr. Anthony Fauci. We are also likely to see an investment in e-government programs that would allow citizens and employees to interact virtually. I believe the pandemic undermines the trend toward service industry and we will likely see a very slow return of service and travel-related positions especially if the virus mutates and the pandemic lingers over a few years.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Vice Presidents, Corporate Communications to find work opportunities?
Mohamad Alkadry Ph.D.: The public and nonprofit sectors are everywhere. Up to a quarter of workers in some states work in these two sectors. Employment in these sectors have always been robust regardless of the political rhetoric. Even proponents of smaller government end up looking to government for solutions during pandemics. The public sector has been critical during the crisis. So had the nonprofit sector that has fed and provided more healthcare and social and mental health services to Americans than ever before.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Vice Presidents, Corporate Communications?
Matt Caporale: Honestly, it is entirely possible. In looking back at the last great economic impact event, the 2009 crash and recession, students who graduated during the recession experienced a lasting impact. The most significant impacts are that economic recessions cause starting salaries to contract, which in turn makes it take longer for graduates to earn back the difference. Add in that jobs disappear causing graduates to take positions either out of their field (impacting their career paths and choices) or below their talent/education/experience levels. So anytime there is an economic disruption, there will be impacts at all experience levels. New graduates in particular can have their earning power impacted, and that impact can take a decade or more to work out.
That said, it is harder to prognosticate a pandemic induced economic disruption as this was not a structural issue with the nature of the economy that caused a crash; it was largely a forced shutdown of the economy. It is possible the economy will snap back faster once the virus is under control, potentially limiting the length of the impact. At the same time the nature of work may change with more remote options and the acceleration of automation that will certainly affect new college graduates.
It will be interesting to see.
What experience really stands out on Vice President, Corporate Communications resumes?
Matt Caporale: In a nutshell, hands on and applied experiences stand out the most. What employers truly seek is not just what you know and what you did, but how you did it, where you did it, to what outcome, and what do you offer now because of those experiences. This isn't new, but employers are increasingly looking for details and level of specificity to a student's college experience - buzzwords won't suffice any more. The experiences that stand out are ones students can actively quantify and showcase success, hard skills, and soft skills.
These types of experiences include traditional experiences such as internships, research projects, study abroad, and campus leadership. But they more often now include diverse perspectives, interdisciplinary experiences, and roles in which students make a focused impact on the organization in which they served. Employers seek well rounded candidates with hard and soft skills; so, the experiences that stand out will need to be diversified, skill focused, and impactful.
For students in international relations, these experiences will include traditional internships and study abroad, but also Model UN, policy research and development, multi-cultural experiences (local and international), and data-based projects.
Dr. Alfred Mueller Ph.D.
Dean, School of Arts and Sciences, Professor of Communication ad Digital mediaNeumann University
School of Arts and Sciences
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Vice Presidents, Corporate Communications?
Dr. Alfred Mueller Ph.D.: The pandemic is the single greatest disruption of American life we could ever have imagined. I predict that more workplaces will allow for telecommuting from home, businesses will retain some of the services they set up to address the pandemic, and health will be our primary focus for the next decade as the long-term effects of COVID are realized. As someone who sees opportunity in obstacles, I want to think that a graduate with an entrepreneurial approach will be able to take advantage of many of these cultural shifts. The Biden Administration will likely address student debt, but there are still many financial issues surrounding housing that have to be sorted out. So the next five years will be much more addled than anything we have seen in recent memory, but the end of the decade should see a return to prosperity.
Dr. James Stein
Assistant Professor and Director of Interpersonal Communication CurriculumDixie State University
Communication Studies Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Vice President, Corporate Communications job market given the pandemic?
Dr. James Stein: I think we're going to see a lot of hybrid job offers, meaning that people will get the opportunity to work remotely a lot more. I think this for three reasons. First, the largest complaint of my generation (Millennials) is that we don't have enough work-life balance. The online atmosphere provides for that. Second, companies can save hundreds of thousands in office space rent by switching to a more hybrid format. Third, this trend has been steadily increasing, the pandemic just supercharged it.
I also believe that we're going to see a lot more engineering and management jobs open up. Automation is replacing manual labor and self-driving cars will eclipse the trucker industry. Folks on the job market are going to need to learn to better manage technology and human relationships.
Jeyoung (Jenny) Oh Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of CommunicationUniversity of Michigan-Flint
Department of Communication Studies
What general advice would you give to a Vice President, Corporate Communications?
Jeyoung (Jenny) Oh Ph.D.: If you work from home, it could be hard to separate your work time from your personal time. Make sure to take some time off to take care of yourself. It is important not only for your work performance but also for your well-being. Also, remember that there are many people who are there to support you, so do not hesitate to ask for help and ask questions. Be proactive and reach out to your colleagues. Set a virtual coffee time with your colleagues or manager to get to know them. If possible, join as many virtual workshops provided to you as you can. Those will help you understand the culture of your organization, and it will also be a great way to get to know your colleagues.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Vice President, Corporate Communications job market given the pandemic?
Jeyoung (Jenny) Oh Ph.D.: The biggest trend we will see in the job market is definitely the surge in remote work. Companies have started to realize that remote work does not negatively influence the productivity of workers. As a matter of fact, some studies have indicated that employees tend to remain productive while doing remote work. With all these changes, many companies are now hiring those who can work remotely. In other words, the increasing demand for remote work provides new opportunities beyond the restrictions of physical location. If you have the skills and talent that a company needs, your location will no longer be a deciding factor.
What type of skills will young Vice Presidents, Corporate Communications need?
Elizabeth B. Rogers: Adpatilbilty. It has become apparent now, maybe more than ever, that employees are expected to do their jobs well, no matter where they are completing their tasks. New job candidates will need to show with concrete evidence that they can adapt in situations that are new or uncommon. Many recent graduates can use their transition from traditional to remote learning as significant evidence of their ability to adapt. Many students thought they were going home for a few weeks in March and then spent the rest of the spring semester online. What changes did you make when the school went virtual that helped you succeed? How did you ensure you not only got your work done but also took care of yourself? What did you learn about yourself, your habits? Many students survived a tough transition, and that is something not only to applaud but use when you are selling yourself to potential employers in interviews. Employers want to know you will adapt, so be ready to tell them how you adapted during your experience with pandemic learning.
Teamwork. You must work as part of a team. However now, consider not only traditional teams but also virtual teams. I can tell you when my teaching and staff role got moved fully online last March, I relied on my team more than ever before. I work in a team environment every day, but when virtual was all we knew, teamwork became vital for not only my success but the success of my students, co-workers, and ultimately the institution. I know students hate group projects, but group projects are the closest things to the "real" workforce some students experience. Take group work seriously so you can learn how to excel in a group setting. How do you work in a team (both traditionally and virtually)? Are you reliable? Are you a leader or a follower (both are great)? Do you manage your time wisely so you can brainstorm, work, and revise? Being part of a team was always part of the workforce, so be ready to work in teams traditionally and virtually.
Technology skills. As I am sure many of you have seen, technology is becoming an extension of all work types now. It is not enough now to say you can work the Microsoft Office Suite and can type quickly. Companies need to know that you can manage technology in real ways, especially when you are not in the office. I would suggest students take an entry-level computer class at their organization as an elective, at the very least, to have some traditional training in all things tech. If your institution does not offer computer courses, I would suggest taking a free online course to earn a certificate of some kind. Students want to list real, tangible, and legitimate computer knowledge on their resumes to make them competitive.
What experience really stands out on Vice President, Corporate Communications resumes?
Stacie Shain: To me, real-world experience always sets one graduate apart from others. There is also plenty of research that supports this.** Any experience a student can gain doing real projects for real organizations is a bonus because it shows students can translate what they have learned in a classroom to a project for a business or nonprofit. It shows students can do the work when there is more than a course grade on the line and when many people will see their work and not only a professor or classmates.
In our program, all majors must complete at least one internship, and we encourage our students to complete more than one so they get different experiences. This not only builds their resumes and hones their skills but also allows them to learn what they like - or don't like - doing. Some students have been set on working in a particular field only to change their minds after an internship and decide they want to do something else.
Our marketing communication minors are required to take a practicum in which they work for a student-run agency doing work for area nonprofits. They are responsible for the client meetings, production, deadlines and client satisfaction. The projects range from graphic design to writing to social media planning to website design to video production. All of their work will be used by the organizations, so having these projects in their portfolios and on their resume showcases exactly what they can do. The students earn credit and get to show the work in their portfolios, and the nonprofits do not pay for the projects. It's a true win-win situation. Students may complete more than one semester in the practicum, and that gives them a wide range of work samples in their portfolio. I've known several students who had jobs before graduation, and they all said their work for clients helped them get the job because they already had professional experience.
Internships and working for a student-run agency will help students build those soft skills, too. They must collaborate, they must learn to work in a team setting, they must solve problems as they arise, and they must think critically about the projects and how they will complete them. Research shows that students with hard skills will get interviews, but students with soft skills will get the job and keep it ** because businesses value soft skills and not every applicant has them.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Vice President, Corporate Communications job market given the pandemic?
Heidi Mau Ph.D.: An increased ability to work digitally is an immediate trend in the job market - to be nimble communicators via digital tools and online interactions with colleagues and clients. This trend was already happening before the pandemic but has now accelerated as an important part of an overall skill set.
There seems to be an increase in positions calling for digital communications and content management for small businesses as they seek to move parts of their businesses online and to increase their digital communications with clients and community during a time in which local, face-to-face communication is more difficult.
What experience really stands out on Vice President, Corporate Communications resumes?
Cyndi Grobmeier: Demonstrating leadership skills, either officially or even unofficially, is critical. Sometimes, students become leaders without being in an official role, like an officer of a club. Being able to tell that leadership story effectively becomes a critical piece. Storytelling has become such an essential part of our culture that telling a compelling story about any accomplishment can help graduates stand out from the crowd. The more an applicant can say to the level of something they specifically accomplished that connects to what the organization is looking for in that position, the more memorable they become. The days of the general resume are obsolete. The expectation will be an application (whether that be online, video, etc.) that tailors the applicant's knowledge, skills, experience, and qualities specific to the position and the organization.