One size does not fit all: Diversity within communications roles
By Alyssa Badalamenti, Diversity & Inclusion Chair
I previously led communication strategies for an accounting firm and gained invaluable experience from this role. However, I remember feeling a little “out of the group” among my peers who had the traditional PR role for the local agencies who market for big brand names. Here I was, building out tax marketing lingo for a campaign I was proud of, yet sensed it wasn’t “sexy” enough to share with others.
Then, a PRSA member asked me to lunch so I could share some advice on best practices for email headlines based on what I’ve learned from my job. I was honored. Although I knew that I could write a book on the subject, I assumed this person would rather ask someone else since my financial audience may have been too lackluster.
Removing bias and embracing differences
This encouraged me to remove my own bias within the diversity of communications roles and instead embrace the differences between us. PRSA has given me reassurance that all of us have something sexy about our jobs because we all have something the others do not. Each of us brings something unique to the table. That’s what makes us stand out from the crowd.
Besides, we already have diversity in most other aspects of our roles, despite the strength that unifies us by being in the same industry. Some of us are single executives. Others have three children and two pets. Some work from home. Some communicate to employees and some communicate to the media. Some work on websites while others tweet.
One size does not fit all
Just like how our society continues to make changes to be more inclusive, we as a profession are doing the same thing. Last year, PRSA changed the use of “public relations professional” to “communications professional.” This will better reflect our membership base and avoid having members feel “out of the group” because our profession expands beyond traditional PR roles. This change will help show that PRSA encompasses a society for all communications roles to learn and advance from.
Our network of members provides a huge benefit to continuing your professional growth. So no matter what company you work for, what title you have, or what audience you communicate to, we are all unique and diverse within communications; and we all have something to learn from one another.
