personal statement for corporate communication

How To Write a Personal Statement That Stands Out

Table of contents

Laura Jane Bradbury

A personal statement is a chance to highlight your unique qualities, skills, and experiences, all while showcasing your personality.

But whether you're applying for university, a job, or funding, it can be daunting to write about yourself. To increase your chances of getting accepted, it's important to know how to create an effective personal statement.

In my six years as a copywriter, I’ve written many personal statements that get results. In this article, I’ll guide you through what to include, what to avoid, and how to tailor a personal statement based on your application type.

Key Takeaways

• A personal statement is an opportunity to share your unique qualities, experiences, and skills.
• It should always relate to the course, job, or funding you are applying for.
• Include accomplishments and experiences that demonstrate how suited you are to the position or course you are applying for.
• Use clear and simple language to ensure your points are understood.

Your personal statement should be concise and demonstrate how you fit the position or opportunity you’re applying for. It’s important to keep information relevant, rather than listing all of your skills and accomplishments.

Follow these steps to accurately write and tailor your statement.

Understand your prompt

Before you start, make sure you understand what's expected of you. Are there specific instructions, keywords, or phrases that stand out in your prompt? Read through it thoroughly and note the requirements. You can then brainstorm ideas for each point.

Let's say I'm applying for a university journalism course. I've been asked to write a statement that shares why I'm interested and why I would be a good fit. I can use columns to plan my content:

Putting your ideas together first makes it easier to stay on track. Otherwise, you might lose focus and include irrelevant information. 

Show, don't just tell

Once you’ve listed your experiences, skills, and accomplishments, consider how you can demonstrate them with examples. Take a look at the list you created during the previous exercise and organize your points so you have clear examples and proof.

This technique helps you demonstrate your experiences and how they tie in with your application.

When telling anecdotes, use engaging stories that demonstrate your skills. For instance, a story about how I handled a fast-paced news internship proves I work well under pressure. 

Start strong

Recruiters, application tutors, and funders read lots of personal statements. You can make yours stand out with an engaging introduction.

Examples of a strong opening include:

A meaningful statistic

This draws readers in and increases credibility: 

"Communication is the key to marketing success, according to Business Marketing News. With five years of experience communicating and delivering campaigns to global clients, I have the skills and passion to add value to your team."

A personal story

Anecdotes connect the reader with the author’s real-life experience: 

"My first exposure to microbiology was during my time as a research assistant for a microbiologist. I was fascinated by the complex and intricate processes within cells."

An alarming statement

This piques the reader’s interest by making an issue seem urgent:  

“ The fashion industry churns out clothes at an alarming rate, causing mass production of synthetic fibers and harsh chemicals which have a detrimental impact on the planet. Funding my sustainability initiative is vital to mitigating this environmental impact." 

Avoid cliches such as "From a young age, I have always loved...." and "For as long as I can remember, I have had a passion for..."

Pro tip: Use Wordtune Editor 's Shorten feature to cut unnecessary fluff and make your intro sharper. Simply type in your sentence and click Shorten to receive suggestions.

Get Wordtune for free > Get Wordtune for free >

Admission committees and employers appreciate sincerity and authenticity. While it may be tempting, avoid exaggeration. You can better emphasize your skills and personality by being honest. For instance, rather than claiming I read every type of newspaper in my journalism application, I can focus on my dedication to reading The New York Times.

Your writing style should also feel genuine. Instead of trying to impress with complex language and fancy words, keep sentences simple and direct . This makes them more effective because they’re easier to read. 

Address weaknesses

Addressing weaknesses can show your willingness to confront challenges. It also gives you a chance to share efforts you have made for improvement. When explaining a weakness, exclude excuses.

Instead of saying "I didn't achieve my expected grades due to work commitments impacting my studies," try “While I didn't achieve my expected grades, I am now working with a tutor to help me understand my weak areas so I can succeed in your program.”

Wordtune’s Spices feature can help you develop counterarguments to weaknesses. In the Editor, highlight your text, click on Spices, and then Counterargument . Here’s an example:

Using Wordtune’s suggestion, I can highlight my eagerness to learn and provide examples to support my argument.

Highlight achievements

This is your chance to shine! A personal statement should highlight your best qualities — provided they relate to your prompt.

Ask yourself:

• What are your skills and strengths? Identify both academic and non-academic abilities such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork.
• What challenges have you faced? Reflect on how you have overcome significant challenges and how these experiences have helped you grow. For example, completing a course, learning a new language, or starting a business.
• What are your unique selling points? Consider what sets you apart from other applicants. For example, you may have a unique set of technical skills or experience learning in a different country.
• How have your achievements shaped your goals and aspirations? Sharing your goals shows that you think long-term and have taken the time to make sure you’re applying for the right opportunity.

Connect with the institution or company

Tailor your statement to the specific institution or company you're applying to — this shows you understand their values and have carefully considered where you want to seek opportunities.

To do this, head to the company or institution’s website and look for the About page. Many organizations include a mission statement on this page that conveys its purpose and values.

For example, universities often include their values under “Community” or “Student Life” sections. Here, Princeton University’s “In Service of Humanity” section highlights how they value using education to benefit society. Applicants can engage with this by explaining how they interact with their communities and seek to use their education to help others.

You can also research a company or institution’s social media. Look for similarities — maybe you both prioritize collaboration or think outside the box. Draw upon this in your personal statement. 

End with a strong conclusion

A strong conclusion is clear, concise, and leaves a lasting impression. Use these three steps:

• Summarize the main points of your statement. For example, “My experience volunteering for the school newspaper, along with my communication skills and enthusiasm for writing, make me an ideal student for your university."
• Discuss your future . Share your future ambitions to remind the reader that you’ve carefully considered how the opportunity fits into your plans.
• Include a closing statement. End on a positive note and offer the reader a final explanation for why you would be a great match. For instance, “Thank you for reviewing my statement. I am confident my skills and experience align with the role and your company culture.”

Tip: Learn more about writing an effective conclusion with our handy guide . 

Different types of personal statements

Now you know how to write a personal statement, let’s look at what to focus on depending on your application type.

The length of your personal statement will vary depending on the type. Generally, it should be around 500 words to 650 words . However, a university application is often longer than a statement for a job, so it’s vital to determine what is expected of you from the beginning.

Whatever the length, it’s important to remove and edit content fluff , including any repetition or copy that does not relate to your prompt.

Personal statement checklist

Use this checklist to ensure that your statement includes: 

• An engaging introduction.
• Clear examples of your experiences, skills, and expertise. 
• A commitment to improvement, if required.
• Any applicable achievements. 
• A direct connection to the company or institution’s values.
• A strong conclusion that summarizes information without adding new content.
• Authentic, simple language.

Personal statements are an opportunity to delve deeper and share who you are beyond your grades or resume experience. Demonstrate your ability with anecdotes and examples, address any weaknesses, and remember to use genuine and simple language. This is your place to shine, so follow our tips while displaying your unique personality, and you’ll be sure to stand out from the crowd.

Want to get started and create a powerful introduction? Read our step-by-step guide .

What is the difference between a cover letter and a personal statement?

A cover letter expresses your interest in a position and introduces you to an employer. It’s typically shorter and focuses on your qualifications, skills, and experience for a particular role. A personal statement, however, is common for a job, internship, funding, or university application. It explores your background, goals, and aspirations, as well as your skills and experience.

What is the purpose of a personal statement?

A personal statement is an opportunity to stand out by detailing your background, experiences, and aspirations. It should explain why you are interested in and a good match for the company or institution you are applying to.

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Diversity in Communications

I celebrate diversity. And no where is diversity more important than in the area of communications. It is here, where symbols are so powerful, that dignity must guide all professionals in the selection and creation of cultural symbols that are appropriate and inspiring.

Statements of Excellence in Communications

Personal Statement of Purpose for Graduate School in Communications, Masters, Doctorate

I see communications as a dynamic catalyst for progressive social change that moves our technological and human advancement on every frontier.

I am pleased to help dozens of people every year in the area of communications. Most applicants in this area seek to study towards the Master’s Degree; but we have also helped many applicants to PHD programs. We take the material that you provide and turn it into a highly eloquent essay that demonstrates your capacity to excel in graduate school, as well as you potential for making important, lifelong career contributions to communications in your area of chosen specialization. We keenly look forward to helping you to get accepted. After you fill out our Online Interview Form , we will ask you additional questions so that we have all of the information that we need to draft a spectacular statement on your behalf. If needed, we are also prepared to do extensive research on your behalf concerning your special area of interest. It is our pleasure to be of service to you and in this way share in the exciting advancements that are taking place in communications.

Communications and Ethics

Especially in the field of Communications, I always try to inspire students entering their field to reach outside the norms and acknowledge that the world of media is ever-changing. And with this ever-changing nature, students must look ahead to strive to break negative societal norms as well as be a light in their future careers. Whether your major is in the sphere of communications or not, I especially appreciate helping all applicants who see potential in their future career practices to think more critically on current issues in the realm of what is ethical.

In the globalized world of communications, companies in one country can easily do business with firms across the world. Different cultures can sometimes complicate business dealings. Mores and norms vary from society to society, but corporations need to set certain ethical standards, especially for communications. For example, if a communications supplier in one country finds bribery a perfectly acceptable way to conduct business, his buyer needs to look elsewhere. It does not matter that this supplier offers the cheapest prices. Corruption cannot be tolerated in the communications world.

Up until the financial meltdown of 2008, the communications world emphasized short-term results. Business executives received extravagant compensation packages for closing deals, no matter how the transaction affected the company in the long run. Financial institutions lent to borrowers freely, not considering their ability to repay the loans. Eventually, debtors defaulted on their loans, and the economy stood on the brink of collapse. Ethical leaders in all fields, especially communications, need to ignore easy profits and focus on future ramifications of actions, even if it earns less money for the company.

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The Humanitarian Side of Communications

Communications is one of those subjects that lends itself to almost any niche, organization and area of humanitarian work. In fact, do any research online for humanitarian-related work in communications and the media, and you’ll almost have too much to choose from!

While you can get humanitarian work straight out of school, a Master’s degree will naturally make you more employable. We’ll look at both of these routes here: the Masters programs available to you and some of the jobs available out there in the humanitarian market.

Humanitarian Positions For Communications Masters Graduates With Experience

To give you an idea of the sort of positions in demand in the workplace right now, let’s jump right in and consider the following example. At the time of writing, the UN Development Programme is recently seeking a Communications Consultant in New York. The contract is for 4 months, and the post level is international consultant.

To get this post, you’ll need an advanced university degree (a Masters or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or related field – or, a first-level degree and two additional years of qualifying experience, instead of the advanced degree. However, they are also asking for a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in public information, public relations, journalism, international relations or other area, preferably within humanitarian organizations and contexts.

The type of duties involved in this role include supporting the World Healthcare Students Symposium (WHSS) and Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) with liaison for the production and distribution of press kits, media products and other communications materials; organize other activities to promote awareness and outreach, including attending and participating in press conferences, interviews, press seminars, etc.; plus many other activities.

Starting with this example may be beneficial to you, as it shows where you might be able to get to in the future, and demonstrates that there is a real need for communications experts out there in top organizations in this field.

Pan American Health Organization, Regional Office of the World Health Organization

The Pan America Health Organization recently produced a document detailing how to manage information during emergencies and disasters. You could be employed to write similar documents as part of your work at an NGO or other humanitarian organization. This particular document, “Information management and communication in emergencies and disasters: manual for disaster response teams, was edited by Susana Arroyo Barrantes, Social Communicator at OXFAM; Martha Rodriguez, Social Communications Advisor, PAHO/WHO and Ricardo Perez, Regional Advisor in Information, PAHO/WHO. To head in this direction, what about getting a Masters in Communications or International Relations. More on that later.

Internews is currently looking for a Humanitarian Communications Specialist to work at various locations. This Specialist will work to support the Humanitarian Country Team strategic response for 4-6 weeks, with a possible extension of several months.

The required qualifications for this post include previous experience designing and implementing communication with communities and/or beneficiary communication; significant experience using media and communications in humanitarian emergency responses; relevant university degree; a very good working knowledge of the mandates and modalities of the international humanitarian sector, including the UN cluster system. Another demanding post for a highly qualified individual, and something to work towards, especially if you’ve recently completed your Communications degree.

Humanitarian Positions for Communications Bachelor’s Degree Graduates With Experience

Concern Worldwide is an international humanitarian organization committed to the helping the poorest people in the least developed countries in the world. At the time of writing, they are looking for a Communications Officer with a Bachelor’s Degree in communications, journalism, or a related field and 5-7 years’ experience working with multimedia content creation, fluency in visual and graphic design software and a solid knowledge of social media platforms.

Camris International is a growing international development and research firm that has worked in more than 80 countries. They are currently looking for senior, mid and junior level Communications Specialists to provide support to their anticipated Middle East and North Africa Services (MENA) proposal, which aims to provide administrative, technical and programmatic staff support services to the field-based programs managed by USAID’s Middle East Bureau.

Camris International accept graduates with a Bachelor’s degree to work at the junior level, if you have experience participating on a multi-disciplinary cross-cultural team, and provide expertise in quantitative and qualitative evaluations methods, which would be fairly easy to accumulate with a degree and some volunteer experience abroad!

Masters Degrees For You

A Master’s degree is ideal if you’re a high-flyer and want to get into top positions in the humanitarian field. A combination of this and some relevant experience working as a volunteer or intern abroad will make you super employable.

You have a number of options open to you. You could simply develop your existing skills and go for a Master’s in Public and Corporate Communication; Media and Communication; Journalism, Media and Globalization or Social Science, Media and Communication Studies.

The Masters in Public and Corporate Communication at the University of Milan in Italy is geared towards enabling students to perform management and organizational roles in sectors like public relations, public administration, international humanitarian NGOs, journalism and political campaigns. The course is taught in English over 24 months, and you can specialize in either corporate communication marketing or public and social communication.

The M.Sc. in Social Science, Media and Communications Studies at Lund University, Sweden is a two-year program with module choices like Media and Political Engagement, Media Audiences and a Study Abroad program, and focusses on questioning and understanding global media structures and processes in modern life. It draws on world class scholars who have published key works in media and communication and teaching is based on international expertise in areas like democracy, participation and social media, as well as many others.

Another way to get into the humanitarian field is to study a Masters that is directly related to this kind of work, such as an M.A. in Humanitarian Action, International Relations; an M.Sc. in Emergency Management, Emergency Services Administration or Security Management.

For example, the Syracuse University in New York, US, runs an International Relations (Multidisciplinary) course made up of five core courses, including international relations, economics, quantitative analysis, program evaluation and management and one of five signature courses in accordance with their chosen career track.

The different tracks include development and humanitarian assistance; governance, diplomacy and international organizations; peace, security and conflict and regional concentrations in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America. An internship program is an optional part of the program, and proficiency in a second language is required.

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PERSONAL STATEMENT EXAMPLE Public Relations Personal Statement

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Public Relations Personal Statement

Aiming to study for a degree in public relations has been the most important decision I have had to make in my educational career so far. The prospect of studying for a degree that provides me with the recurring opportunity of representing organizations and connecting them with present and potential clients only furthers my ambition to pursue a position within this field.

I have perceived from my thorough research that there are many required characteristics to obtain a career within public relations, the principles being; superior verbal and written communication skills and an ability to multitask allowing time effectiveness. I have demonstrated these characteristics through many diverse environments. In 2015 I completed a work experience placement as a journalist assistant for the Arbroath Herald in Scotland. On this placement, there was a huge emphasis on sound verbal communication skills as I had to interview and engage with members of the public to gather news content.I furthered these skills by independently writing various lead articles for the newspaper and independently seeking the news content and working with the editorial team to create the best possible product. Due to the location perseverance was a key factor in securing this unusual placement. I had to write many emails followed by two telephone interviews with the editor. Furthermore, I have demonstrated my adaptability to different environments through my part-time job as a Counter Assistant at Sainsbury's. Running the deli counter independently required me to prioritise certain qualities to keep up with the demanding environment so that I could reach strict deadlines and sales targets.

This is a time of immense environmental complexity and change, and consequently, PR corporations have been forced to significantly alter their strategies to compete and survive. Fortunately, my study of Media paired with English Language gives me an in-depth insight into how old media is less effective on consumers due to the ever-changing social media revolution. Sociology has also widened my mind on how the public consumes and obtain goods that are presented to them via the new media.

Whatever I do in life I always strive to make an impact. I am a firm advocate of men's mental health, striving for more male refuge projects to be placed within Devon and Cornwall and for more support to be offered to men that are suicidal and being domestically abused. I volunteered at the Salvation Army where I spoke to the service users about their experiences and offered my sympathy. I have also volunteered at Shekinah Mission which offers support for both men and women through their charity shops and refuge programmes.

I am an outgoing individual who loves meeting new people, therefore, I completed the NCS programme in Portland, where I made many new friends from all over Devon. I also pushed myself out of my comfort zone and tried lots of challenging activities such as abseiling, paddle boarding and mountain biking. Pushing myself to do these challenges have encouraged me to look at life with an open mind and to cast out my net and accept future opportunities.

Being the first to apply to university in my family, I look forward to the challenges that university has to offer. I am ambitious and highly motivated to succeed. My motive runs parallel with a quote from PR guru Benjamin Franklin who said “Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing about”.

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Graduate School Personal Statement

The graduate school personal statement is your chance to show the graduate committee what it would be like to have you in the department. Would you contribute positively to the program, work well with others, and have the necessary skills to undertake important research? Convince them you are worth the investment and that you’re a good match for their program through a compelling story that’s based on your concrete experiences .

If you are in a hurry, you can also check out this short video for quick tips.

1. Before you start

1.1. Reflect on your experiences and goals

Reflect on your experience, motivation, and research goals. What drives your research motivations, and how do your motivations link to your background and long-term goals?

Think beyond the technical space when brainstorming ideas for your personal statement. What do you care about and value—besides getting a higher-level degree? Include experiences that demonstrate your leadership, organization, and communication skills as well. Whether it’s growing up on a farm, mentoring high school students, or leading a robotics team, these experiences can be used to demonstrate motivation, commitment, and a good work ethic. These are attributes that can help you be successful in a research lab.

1.2. Do the research on your target program

To demonstrate how well you fit with the program, you must know what they value and what they are working toward. Each department has different goals and missions; some might value fundamental science, others engineering innovation, and others societal impact. Here are initial steps to take while researching a graduate program:

• Read the program’s website —specifically their mission statement. See what language they use to describe themselves, and echo that language in your personal statement. This is also a good place to see what kind of research is currently being performed. Looking at MIT NSE’s mission statement, what can we notice?

• Look up recent publications from your target research group (if you have one). The department’s website might not be up to date with any group’s new research directions. This will avoid the scenario where you express interest in working on a research project that has been abandoned.
• Get in contact with faculty in your target program. If you have had a positive discussion with someone at the department, describe how those interactions indicate that you will be a good match.
• State which professors in the program you would plan to work with and why their research interests you. Show how their research areas align with your background and your goals. You can even describe potential research directions or projects. This is even more effective if you have contacted the professor beforehand and spoken with them about the possibility of doing research for them. However, not naming a specific group of interest is not an automatic “reject.”

1.3. Consider your audience

A graduate committee will review your application and determine if you would make a successful graduate student in the department. Although the determination varies from committee to committee, the reviewers will be looking for the following criteria, which you should specifically address in your statement:

• Your ability to perform high-quality and independent research
• Your readiness to complete the expected coursework for your program
• Your likelihood to be a match in the department (ex: If you are currently in a physics program, you will need to explain why you’re seeking an advanced degree in nuclear engineering).

A graduate committee is usually composed of faculty from the program of interest—and may be the same people who will spend years working with you if you’re accepted. They more than likely have the following:

• A strong knowledge of the program’s general subject areas and familiarity with your proposed research area
• Familiarity with the academic setting and some courses, but not necessarily the courses you have taken
• Access to the rest of your application materials.

If applying to MIT’s Nuclear Science and Engineering department, you can assume your audience knows what a tokamak is, but you cannot expect (all of) them to know every component. Likewise, you need not list all of your courses but could emphasize one or two advanced subjects if they are relevant to your past and intended future research.

Return to Contents

2. Structure of a personal statement

As long as you stay within the specifications set by your target program, you have the freedom to structure your personal statement as you wish. Still, you can use the structure shown on the right as a loose guide for demonstrating match.

2.1. Create a personal narrative 

Build a personal narrative that ties together your personal history, experiences, and motivations. In addition to a few paragraphs (2-3) at the beginning of your statement, you can weave your motivation and goals throughout your document to create a cohesive story. This cements your identity into the minds of the graduate committee. If they remember you, they will be more likely to accept you!

When crafting a personal narrative, consider the following:

• What research directions are you passionate about, and why?
• Was there a moment that sparked your interest in your proposed field?
• What do you picture yourself doing in 10 years?

Keep these questions in mind as you are writing other sections of your personal statement.

2.2. Your Experiences

This section is typically 2-4 paragraphs long, with examples to illustrate your point. To decide which experiences to share, ask yourself these two questions: In which ways did this experience help me grow? Why should the review committee care? One common mistake is to describe an experience in great detail and then fail to translate it into relevant strengths that the committee would care about. Therefore, explicitly say what that experience means for your future goals, including your work as a graduate student.

2.3. Specific research interest  

Spend 1-2 paragraphs describing your research goals. Briefly summarize the projects you want to work on (and professors you’d like to work with, if applicable), and how those fit in with your experiences. Describe how your past experiences have prepared you for working on this new project in graduate school. If you’re already in graduate school, you can spend more time on this section, as it is also a part of your past experiences.

2.4. Career goals 

Finally, your long-term career goals should be a logical completion of the personal narrative you’ve built throughout the document, and usually takes up one paragraph. How will this graduate program fit into your future career? How will graduate school in general allow you to pursue these goals? Because your personal statement should show that you are a qualified match, describe how your goals overlap with those of the department or program. Your readers will not hold you to these goals, but they will see you are forward-thinking and have ambitions.

3. Maximize Effectiveness

3.1. use concrete examples.

Make your relevant experiences tangible by stating specific outcomes such as awards, discoveries, and publications. Whenever possible, try to quantify the experience. How many people were on your team? How many protocols did you develop? As a TA, how often did you meet with your students? Here are some examples of vague and concrete experiences:

3.2. Explain the meaning of your experiences

• Why was this experience important to your growth as a scientist?
• What did you gain from or demonstrate during that experience?
• How will this make you a better grad student?

Even if it feels obvious to you, you need to explicitly answer these questions to your audience. Here are some examples experiences that have been expanded to contain meaning:

4. Quick Tips and Additional Resources

• Read the prompt carefully. Each school is unique, and will have unique requirements for their applications. If anything in those requirements contradicts with advice you read here or elsewhere, go with the application guidelines. Make sure your document meets criteria for length, formatting, font, file type, etc. specified in the application, and answers any specific questions asked.
• Double check your spelling and grammar. A well-written statement demonstrates your communication skills, which are essential for success in graduate school.
• Triple check that you have the right program and avoid accidentally putting the name of another graduate school into the document. Also check for specific labs or professors that you have mentioned in other statements. Using the search feature of your text editor will catch whatever you miss.
• Seek feedback from someone who’s not familiar with your work. Departments are diverse and your statement should make sense to someone in your field but outside your specific research area.
• Be strategic with letters of references. Do not go to professors who you think will write you the most positive letters. Instead, go to those who can write about specific experiences that demonstrates the skills that you want to highlight in your application. Each letter should bring new and complementing insights into who you are as a student and researcher.
• Check out other resources , such as The Key to Successful Applications (a blog post from MIT Graduate Admissions) and Apply to Grad School from MIT’s Career Development and Professional Development (CAPD).

5. Annotated Examples

Here are examples of graduate school personal statements from students who have been accepted into MIT NSE. Note that prompts vary from program to program, and sometimes from year to year within the same department. Be sure to follow the prompt for your program and your application cycle.

To get started or receive feedback on your graduate school personal statement, make an appointment with one of us. We would love to help you!

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• September 20, 2021
• Personal Statement

The corporate communications officer personal statement provided in this post was submitted by a corporate communication officer seeking admission to study for MA in English at Northwest Missouri State University. The applicant was found worthy of a place in the MA program and was accepted to study at Northwest Missouri State University.

If you need assistance with your personal statement, contact us , and a writer will be assigned to you.

Who is a Communication Officer?

A communication officer is a professional responsible for assisting and improving the communication activities of an organization.

How Does a Corporate Communication Officer Assist Communication?

A communications officer can assist organizational communications through;

• Devising communication strategies for his/her company
• Creating information content
• Organizing workshop, training for staff members of his/her company

Skills of a Corporate Communications Officer

• Excellent communication skills both orally and in writing
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Good IT skills
• Presentation skills
• Ability to prioritise and plan effectively
• Awareness of different media agendas

Courses for Corporate Communications

Here are some courses that can qualify you to work as a corporate communications officer;

• Communications and Journalism
• Communication Studies
• Comparative Language Studies and Services
• English Language and Literature
• Foreign Language and Literature
• Communication Technology
• English Composition
• Public Relations and Advertising

Best Schools to Study for Corporate Communication

• Stanford University
• Harvard University
• University of Pennsylvania
• Duke University
• University of Notre Dame
• Vanderbilt University
• University of Florida
• Cornell University
• Northwest Missouri State University
• Boston University
• University of Georgia

Communications Officer Personal Statement Sample

Personal Statement for MA in English Northwest Missouri State University , USA

I am xxxx a Communication Specialist with over 5 years of experience providing communication counsel and support to corporate bodies and individuals. I hold a Bachelor’s in English and Literature from the University of xxxx. Studying English and literature during my first degree exposed me to the science and art of communication; I began to appreciate the roles that communication has played in the advancement of mankind. However, questions like; how the early men coined their languages, how man invented sign language for the deaf, how ancient men were able to preserve their languages even in the midst of other languages keep running through my mind.

While I may not have the answers to all the questions that still prick me about the subject of communication, I can’t deny my love for the study of language and communication, especially English language. Over 6,500 estimated languages in the world, so, why the English language? Well, for one I grew with siblings who had excellent use of English. They initiated me to activities like writing a diary and keeping a vocabulary from a young age. The result was that I got ahead of my peers in written and spoken English, and I was easily one of the best pupils in English language during my primary education. My exceptional performance continued in secondary school; representing my class and school during inter-class and inter-school debates marked the highlights of my secondary school. With that level of exposure, it was easy to pick English and Literature when it came time to choose a course for my undergraduate studies.

Whilst studying for my undergraduate degree it was fascinating to learn how languages shaped our perception of life. I took a keen interest in courses such as ………, ……………, and…… Taking these courses was exciting and gave me a level of inner satisfaction. Initially, I didn’t envision that I would one day enrol for a Master’s degree in English, but since after my graduation, I have found myself in job roles that entail the application of spoken and written communication at an advanced level. While I have been able to strive career-wise with the knowledge from my first degree, future career advancement will demand enhanced qualification in English communication.

Through work experiences, I have been able to develop strong work ethics, collaboration, a sense of responsibility and initiative. Furthermore, I have been able to define my career plans and what success will look like for me in the corporate setting and this degree is a key component if I am to achieve my plans. In the next 5 years, I wish to …………………… This course not only suits my needs and interests aptly but also builds on my already gained academic and career competencies.

I have chosen to study at the North-west Missouri State University because my research shows that I won’t only have extensive academic experience, I will be having a complete career preparatory experience studying at Northwest Missouri State University. As a professional in the corporate communication terrain, I am fascinated by your profession-based learning approach. In my current employment, part of my job responsibilities includes publishing official speech, managing the company’s corporate image, overseeing all online publications, managing press conferences, and planning corporate events, so I was excited to learn that by studying this course, there’s an opportunity to gain publishing experience working with Greentower Press which is managed by two of the faculty members. This will be an added advantage for me to gain special technical skills that would have taken me a lot of money and time to learn. More so, the English faculty boast of a student organization that I am excited to be a part of as I look forward to being part of a professional larger society of forward-thinking and like-minded professionals.

Outside of the corporate environment, I try to follow my interest which includes voluntary support. My most recent volunteer work was with the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria as a Volunteer Health Speaker in drug abuse and misuse. These volunteer and work experiences put together have helped me to develop the needed interpersonal skills to relate well with teachers and colleagues during my studies.

I hope that the combination of my experience, academic background, and future goals will qualify me to join the next class of students for MA in English at Northwest Missouri State University.

Yours faithfully,

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Hope you found this corporate communications officer personal statement sample helpful? If you need assistance writing or reviewing your visa application, contact us toda y.

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Advice for Applying to Master's in Communication Programs

Admission Requirements for a Master’s in Communication Program

Advice for applying to master’s in communication programs, #1: every part of the application matters, #2: what schools look for in prospective students, #3: advice for completing your personal statement, #4: advice on requesting letters of recommendation, #5: apply early – do not wait to submit your application, concluding remarks.

Applying to a master’s degree program can be intimidating for even the most qualified individuals. These programs are often quite selective, with a strict list of requirements applicants must fulfill in order to be considered for admission. Typically, this means meeting certain thresholds in terms of past academic performance and professional experience, as well as providing thorough documentation proving one is a good fit for graduate-level instruction. Master’s in communication programs are no exception. Many have a rigorous selection process, and prospective students will need to stand out among their fellow applicants if they hope to be accepted.

In an effort to help students navigate the application process, and maximize their chances of admission, we spoke with faculty members from some of the top master’s in communication programs in the country to get their advice on the matter. They had plenty of tips to offer, including the top qualities to demonstrate in an application, what students should address in their personal statement, and how to best go about requesting letters of recommendation. Additional advice in this article comes from a panel discussion lead by four communication professors that took place during the Graduate Student Workshop at the Western States Communication Association’s 2018 annual convention in Santa Clara, California.

Read through all the advice these professors and faculty members had to share for applying to a master’s in communication program in the sections below.

The application process and admission requirements for a master’s in communication vary by program. In order to apply, students typically must complete and submit an application form to their school of choice, along with an associated fee, if required. Many programs only accept applicants with an undergraduate GPA over a certain threshold, such as a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 or 3.0. Most often, students are required to send in official transcripts from all previous postsecondary institutions to show they meet this GPA requirement or any other academic prerequisites. Along with this, schools may ask for a resume detailing relevant professional experience, and possibly contact information for one or more references.

Two major components required by most master’s in communication programs are a personal goal statement and letters of recommendation. The personal statement is a chance for students to discuss their qualifications and what they hope to achieve in the program, all while demonstrating they are adequately prepared for graduate-level study. This gives the admissions committee a better understanding of each applicant’s personality and passions, and ultimately, whether or not they would make a good fit for the particular program. Additionally, the personal statement essay provides applicants with a place to discuss any potential weaknesses in other aspects of their application, for example, their GPA or standardized tests scores. In certain cases, additional writing samples may be requested. Some schools also require an in-person, phone, or Skype interview with program faculty, or even ask students to record a video interview answering specific questions about their background and goals.

Along with a personal statement, it is common for programs to require one or more letters of recommendation as part of the application package. These are typically written by past professors or employers who can vouch for the applicant’s personal qualifications and aptitude. Depending on their particular focus, some programs may prefer or even require letters of recommendation from a certain type of reference. For example, programs designed to prepare students for doctoral studies in communication typically prefer recommendations from professors who can speak to an applicant’s ability to succeed at the graduate level. Whereas applied communication programs that require several years of experience often prefer recommendations from employers who can better speak to an applicant’s current professional strengths.

While some master’s in communication programs require students to submit GRE or GMAT test scores as part of the application process, many do not. Those that include the GRE as an admission requirement may also do so on a conditional basis, only requiring test scores from students who fail to meet other admission criteria, such as the minimum GPA threshold. Additionally, some programs might allow students to apply for a GRE waiver based on their professional experience or past academic achievements (such as already possessing a graduate degree in another field).

An example of a program that requires the GRE on a conditional basis is the Master of Science in Communication Management program at the University of North Florida (UNF), which asks applicants for standardized test scores if their undergraduate GPA is below a 3.0. John Parmelee, Ph.D., Chair of the Department of Communication at UNF, explains, “We are looking for applicants with a GPA of 3.0 or higher in all work attempted in the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate study. If it’s much lower than our usual standard of 3.0, applicants will need to provide additional evidence that they are ready for graduate school.” In this case, Dr. Parmelee says, “The additional evidence is their choice of one of the following: either a GRE score of at least 153 verbal, 144 quantitative or a GMAT minimum 500 total score.”

It is important that prospective students pay close attention to all admissions criteria when researching master’s in communication programs, as different program types and specializations may have different requirements. For example, academic or research-based programs, such as master’s degrees in communication studies or interpersonal communication, often require the GRE, while applied communication programs, which focus on career-oriented specialties like technical communication and strategic communication, generally do not.

Many programs also have selective admission policies, meaning that even if students meet the requirements for admission, they may not be accepted to the program. Some might be highly competitive, and only enroll a small number of students each year, which in some cases may be as few as six to 10. That means only a small fraction of the students who submit applications will be accepted to the program, so a particularly strong personal statement or letter of recommendation could be the difference between being accepted and not getting into the program.

When applying to a master’s in communication program, it is important that students place equal weight on every aspect of their application. Many of the professors we interviewed stressed that they evaluate applicants holistically, taking each component of a student’s application into careful consideration when deciding who to accept. As the Director of Graduate Study for the Department of Communication at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Leanne Knobloch, Ph.D. explains, “We evaluate students based on their application as a whole (taking into account undergraduate grades and coursework, career goals, research experience, personal statement, writing sample, GRE scores, and letters of recommendation).” She adds, “We are looking for students who are prepared for graduate-level work and have given considerable thought to their career goals. Ideal candidates spell out in their personal statement why they are interested in our department and how their interests fit with our expertise.”

We are looking for students who are prepared for graduate-level work and have given considerable thought to their career goals. Ideal candidates spell out in their personal statement why they are interested in our department and how their interests fit with our expertise.

Dr. Leanne Knobloch – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Professor Wendy Zajack, MBA, Faculty Director for the Master of Professional Studies in Integrated Marketing Communications and Design Management and Communications Programs in the School of Continuing Studies at Georgetown University, echoes these statements. “We holistically review applications so we like to see a combination of things from our students,” she says. These include, “1) a good undergraduate academic performance 2) excellent and relevant work experience – we like to see at least a year of working experience (or amazing internships). We have an opportunity to submit work samples – so please do! and 3) an application that really helps us understand why our IMC program is of interest to you and fits your career goals. This could include looking through our list of courses and letting us know which ones you are excited about, as well as an explanation of your career aspirations.”

To help get a better understanding of both the program itself and what admissions staff look for in applicants, Bernardo Alexander Attias, Ph.D., Graduate Coordinator for the Department of Communication Studies at California State University, Northridge, recommends students reach out to school faculty early on in the research process. “It’s a good idea to contact the Graduate Coordinator to find out more about whether this program meets your needs,’ he says. “It’s important to understand what you want out of a graduate program before you decide which ones to apply to.” When it comes time to submit an application, Dr. Attias stresses, “It should be clear from your personal statement that the coursework and program that we offer helps you advance your own personal and professional goals.”

Simply meeting the admission requirements for a master’s in communication program may not always be enough to secure one’s admittance. As discussed earlier, these programs often have selective admissions policies, meaning students will need to submit a noteworthy application if they hope to be accepted. Many of the faculty members we interviewed made it clear they look for well-rounded applicants, who display not only academic prowess, but an excitement about the particular program of study and where it might take their career. This is typically communicated to the selection committee through the personal goal statement and any long-form questions on the application itself, as well as through interviews with faculty members, if required during the application process. In order to stand out from the other applicants, it is important to make sure every component of one’s application demonstrates they are ready and eager to succeed in the specific master’s program they are applying to.

According to the faculty members we spoke with, here are some qualities students should be sure to demonstrate in their application:

• A passion for academic endeavors (such as any extracurricular activities)
• Maturity and collegiality
• Alignment with program goals
• Readiness for graduate school
• Intellectual curiosity, inquisitiveness (a readiness to to think, not just read and write)
• Excellent writing skills

Athena du Pré, Ph.D. has reviewed countless applications in her role as Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Communication at the University of West Florida. When it comes to choosing the ideal candidate, she says, “Our top priorities are evidence of academic or professional achievement and personal goals that would be well served by our curriculum.” Additionally, Dr. du Pré mentions her department looks for applicants who communicate well and show enthusiasm for the program. “We put a premium on good writing skills and inquisitiveness,” she adds. “Because this is an action-oriented program, we favor applicants who are interested in getting involved and being part of a team.”

Students who have a clear idea of what they want to do with their degree often make the best students and have the most success. An application that demonstrates both passion and clear goals gets noticed.

Dr. Rocky Dailey – South Dakota State University

This motivation to learn and excel, both in the program and professionally, is a major factor schools look for in master’s in communication applicants. Rocky Dailey, Ed.D., Online Graduate Advisor in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at South Dakota State University, explains, “We look for students ready to take the next step with their professional mass communication career, so we want highly motivated individuals who come in with some professional experience to build off of.” In their application, students should be sure to convey exactly how they plan to use what they learn in the program to further their careers after graduation. According to Dr. Dailey, “Students who have a clear idea of what they want to do with their degree often make the best students and have the most success. An application that demonstrates both passion and clear goals gets noticed.”

Meina Liu, Ph.D. is the Graduate Director for the Master of Arts in Communication Management Program at The George Washington University. She too stresses the importance of illustrating exactly how one’s goals align with that of the program. “The Graduate Studies Committee reviews applications by looking at the entire package rather than one specific aspect,” says Dr. Liu. “Our MA students come from a variety of academic backgrounds, including international affairs, economics, organizational sciences, political communication, strategic communication, mass communication, women’s studies, and so on.” No matter their particular background, Dr. Liu explains, “In general, applicants that articulate a good fit between their backgrounds/interests and what our program offers are given more serious consideration than those that write a generic essay. For example, a student who describes how the program’s course offerings may help advance his or her career goals is considered to have a stronger fit and motivation than a student seeking a career in journalism.”

Due to their often interdisciplinary nature, master’s in communication programs tend to draw applicants with a wide range of industry backgrounds. While professional experience is something selection committees consider when reviewing applications, they typically place less weight on one’s specific area of expertise, and more on what students hope to achieve through the degree program. Paula Weissman, Ph.D., Program Director for the Online MA in Strategic Communication at American University, says, “We take a holistic approach to reviewing applications. All factors, including previous academic experience, professional experience, letters of recommendation, and the personal essay are considered.” As for the ideal candidate, Dr. Weissman explains, “Some students already have substantial experience in the communications industry; others are experienced in other areas, but looking to make a career switch; and a smaller number are still quite early on in their careers. We look for strong students who have a demonstrated passion for learning more about strategic communication and clear career goals that align with our degree program.”

Above all, most master’s in communication programs are looking for students who display a passion to succeed both in and out of the classroom. This enthusiasm for learning and furthering one’s career is exactly what John McArthur, Ph.D., Director of Graduate Programs at the James L. Knight School of Communication at Queens University of Charlotte, hopes to find in applicants to the school’s online Master of Arts in Communication program. “At Queens, our typical students have a passion for the study of communication as a way to advance their careers in their selected industries,” Dr. McArthur explains. “We have a diverse mix of seasoned professionals who are advancing their careers and recent undergraduates who are just starting to find their place.” In his opinion, “The optimal applicant is one who can match his or her interests to the goals of our program and demonstrates the personal motivation to succeed as an online learner. Our students are practitioners AND scholars, concerned about their own development AND the development of their classmates, and ready to learn AND be a part of a vibrant community.”

One of the best ways applicants to a master’s in communication program can convey their personality, passion, and goals to the admissions committee is through their personal statement essay. This portion of the application is when students have a chance to show admissions faculty who they are as a person, and why they think they would make a good fit for the program. Transcripts and resumes only tell part of the story; schools want to know exactly what applicants hope to achieve through graduate study, as well as how these goals line up specifically with what their program has to offer. The personal statement essay is also an opportunity for students to display their writing skills, discuss any weaknesses in their qualifications, and elaborate on achievements or other elements of their background outlined elsewhere in the application.

Here are the top tips our interviewees had to offer for writing an effective and impactful personal statement essay:

• Be authentic
• Research the program
• Describe your goals
• Detail how the program will help you achieve them
• Be an excellent communicator
• Proofread carefully
• Demonstrate maturity

Before students sit down to write their personal statement essay, it is important that they have thoroughly researched the program they are applying to, and are prepared to explain exactly how the curriculum aligns with their academic and professional aspirations. Rebekah Farrugia, Ph.D., Graduate Program Director for the Department of Communication and Journalism at Oakland University, says, “We encourage students applying to our MA program to do their research and take their time when crafting their Statement of Purpose.” As for the essay itself, Dr. Farrugia stresses, “It should clearly indicate why they believe that they are a good fit for our program and how their interests and goals align with our program offerings.”

In your personal statement, tell us why you want to join our master’s program. Ours specifically, not why you want to join a master’s program.

Dr. Christopher Bell – University of Colorado Colorado Springs

Another faculty member we interviewed who emphasized the importance of proper research is Magdelana Red, Ph.D., who works as the Academic Director for the Master of Arts in Communication Management Program at the University of Denver’s University College. “It sounds simple, but I love to see applications that show how students see themselves contributing to and benefitting from the MA in Communication Management,” she notes. “A strong grasp of how they’ll fit into the program (or, how they’ll get the most out of it!) demonstrates that they’ve done their homework, see the unique value proposition that we provide, and are committed to making a contribution to our community.”

According to Christopher Bell, Ph.D., the Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Communication at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, there are several questions students should address in their essay to show they have done the research and truly believe the program is right for them. “In your personal statement, tell us why you want to join our master’s program. Ours specifically , not why you want to join a master’s program,” he explains. “What is it about our specific program that excites you? What do you plan to study, keeping in mind that’s often going to change over the course of your time here. Whom among our professors are you looking toward working with? What are your plans for after you complete the program?” Ultimately, Dr. Bell says, “We want to know who you are, what you want to study, and why you’re choosing us. That will help us determine if we’re also choosing you.”

When it comes time to craft the statement essay, Karrin Vasby Anderson, Ph.D. from Colorado State University Fort Collins, who spoke at the Western States Communication Association’s (WSCA) 2018 annual convention, says students should be authentic and use simple declarative statements, avoiding effusive language that may read as unprofessional. Along with tailoring their personal statement to the program itself, Dr. Anderson recommends applicants highlight their professional goals and ambitions, while describing in detail how the program will help them reach these objectives. Her fellow panel member, Teresa Bergman, Ph.D., a professor at the University of the Pacific, also stressed the importance of being open and genuine in one’s goal essay, even if that means stating you are unsure about your career aspirations, but excited and open to the possibilities the program might lead to. By being as honest as possible in their personal statement, applicants can better help schools determine if they would make a good fit for the program, or ultimately be unhappy in the course of study.

Robert DeChaine, Ph.D. from California State University, Los Angeles, another speaker at the WSCA convention, emphasizes that the personal statement essay should not just be a laundry list of talents or accomplishments. Instead, he recommends applicants provide an account of their personal interests and passions, and not try to impress admissions staff with their knowledge in the field. For many schools, the way in which the essay is written is just as important as the content itself. The fourth member of the Graduate Student Workshop panel, Margaret Pitts, Ph.D., who teaches at the University of Arizona, says students should strive to be concise and display excellent communication skills in their personal statement. In particular, she likes essays that directly outline the applicant’s direction, the types of approaches they will use in the program, and who specifically (i.e. which faculty members) they hope to work with during their studies.

Of course, several of the faculty members we interviewed also recommend applicants try to make explicit connections between their professional experience and the program itself in their personal essay. For example, Judy Foster Davis, Ph.D., Chair of the Faculty Committee for the Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) Program at Eastern Michigan University, suggests students applying to the program “highlight their experience connecting with customers – such as any projects in which they created customer engagement by incorporating effective contact points that provide a setting for interactive communication; or created a seamless experience for customers to interact with a brand by melding elements of marketing and/or communication across various channels to act as one unified force.” In addition to this, she says, “Displaying their understanding of the importance of branding, customer relationships, public relations, and target marketing will make for a strong application.”

Graduate school is a significantly different experience from undergraduate. It requires dedication and focus. So we’re looking for students who are mature and committed to learning about human communication, have the intellectual capability for graduate-level work, and have the drive to grow into independent thinkers.

Dr. Hye-ryeon Lee – University of Hawaii at Manoa

Along with detailing any relevant work experience, students should use their personal essay to demonstrate they are adequately prepared for the rigors of a master’s program. Director of Graduate Studies and a Professor in the Department of Communicology at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Hye-ryeon Lee, Ph.D. offers this advice, “In our program, we look at several key things. First, we’re looking at your academic capability,” she explains. “Graduate school is a significantly different experience from undergraduate. It requires dedication and focus. So we’re looking for students who are mature and committed to learning about human communication, have the intellectual capability for graduate-level work, and have the drive to grow into independent thinkers.” As for the personal statement, Dr. Lee says, “You want to describe the experiences you have had and your achievements that can give us the confidence in your intellectual capability to handle the courses and projects.” She adds, “Our program is also quite demanding, so you need to have that ‘fire in the belly,’ meaning that you really care about what we study, and about understanding human communication processes.”

For Dr. Lee, ideal candidates for UH Manoa’s Master of Arts in Communicology program are those that exhibit a genuine enthusiasm towards learning. “Whatever you can do to show that you have that passion and that you’re not coming to our program simply because you didn’t know what to do after graduation is helpful to illustrate in your application,” she notes. “You should show us that this field is something that is intensely interesting to you, and that you are ready to give your all to try to study and understand and further your knowledge about how human communication processes work.”

Above all, students should see their personal statement essay as a chance to speak directly to the program faculty evaluating their application. “For your personal statement, use it as your opportunity to really talk to the admissions committee,” says Cylor Spaulding, Ph.D., Faculty Director for the Master of Professional Studies in Public Relations and Corporate Communications Program at Georgetown University. “Our committee meets almost every week for several hours to sit down and go through the applications that have come in at that time. We try to get a sense of each person’s experiences, goals, work ethic, and personality as represented on the page. So, put your best foot forward in your personal statement.”

Dr. Spaulding also suggests prospective students use their personal essay to address any potential weak spots in their application. “I would say even if you had a bad semester at some point in your undergraduate career, address that in your personal statement. Explain to the committee what was going on, because we really do look at students holistically,” he says. “If you don’t have that background in public relations, it’s not necessarily a deal breaker. But make a good case for yourself as to why this is what you want to do. We want to see what the end goal is.”

My best advice… edit. Second best piece of advice… edit again.

Dr. Michael G. Strawser – Bellarmine University

Once the personal statement is complete, students should be sure to meticulously proofread their essay multiple times to ensure there are no mistakes or omissions. “My best advice… edit. Second best piece of advice… edit again,” says Michael Strawser, Ph.D., Director of Graduate Programs for the School of Communication at Bellarmine University. “Applications with typos, spelling errors and/or mechanical/grammatical mistakes show the committee a red flag.” A strong attention to detail will not only improve the overall quality of the essay, but show admissions staff that you are taking the application seriously, and diligent about getting a spot in the program. “I am a big believer (and I hate to be cliché) in grit,” Dr. Strawser adds. “Meaning, when I read your personal statement I want to know that you are passionate about communication and will persevere through the program.”

It is typical for a master’s in communication program to ask applicants to submit several references or letters of recommendation as part of the application process. This is so admissions staff can get a better idea of each student’s personality and work ethic from people who know them firsthand, as well as corroborate certain aspects of their academic or professional background. Positive recommendations that speak enthusiastically about an applicant’s strengths and potential, while reinforcing the qualifications outlined elsewhere in their application, can help bolster one’s chances of being accepted into their program of interest, especially if the selection process is competitive.

In most cases, these letters of recommendation come from either previous instructors or employers. Some schools might explicitly require one or the other, asking for academic references over professional ones, or vice versa. Others may prefer a certain type of reference based on the program’s focus or an applicant’s background. For example, if the person applying has been out of school for a significant period of time, a recent employer may be better able to speak to their qualifications than their last professor. On the other hand, academic or research-based master’s programs often prefer letters of recommendation from undergraduate faculty members as opposed to past employers. Students interested in applying to a master’s in communication program should reach out to admissions staff beforehand to find out which type of reference is preferred.

During the Graduate Student Workshop at WSCA, Dr. Anderson, Dr. Bergman, Dr. DeChaine and Dr. Pitts also had advice for students regarding letters of recommendation. Their advice is summarized below along with information from our faculty interviews.

To get the most effective recommendations possible, students should ask for letters from people they currently know, who can speak to the kind of person they are and work they are doing at the time of application. The faculty members we interviewed also stressed the importance of selecting references that can touch on personal qualities and refer to specifics in their reference letter, meaning they should be someone who knows the applicant well. “Good letters of recommendation from people who actually know you and your work always helps,” explains Dr. Spaulding from Georgetown University. “Generic letters of recommendation are fine, but they really don’t speak to your characteristics. So even if it’s not a professor, but it’s a supervisor or someone who knows you a little better and can actually speak to why this program is a good fit for you, and what you could bring to the program, goes a long way towards selling yourself in the application.”

I highly recommend that students form relationships with their instructors and maximize their efforts at the undergraduate level to ensure strong references when applying to MA programs.

Dr. Rebekah Farrugia – Oakland University

When requesting letters of recommendation from instructors or professors, it is important for students to choose faculty members they have a close relationship with, who can address their academic prowess and potential in detail. “I highly recommend that students form relationships with their instructors and maximize their efforts at the undergraduate level to ensure strong references when applying to MA programs,” says Dr. Farrugia from Oakland University.

One way to go about this is to approach professors and tell them you are considering pursuing a master’s degree, then ask if they would be willing to have a conversation about graduate school. Tell them what you hope to achieve through your master’s studies and ask questions about different program options or the admissions process. When it comes time to ask for a letter of recommendation, they will know more about you personally and hopefully be inspired to help. Additionally, while this may not be possible for every student, if you can find professors who know faculty at the programs you are applying to, their recommendations may carry more weight, as the admissions committee will know the quality of students he or she recommends. The same goes for recommendations from professors with connections to your school or program of interest, for example, an alumnus of the program who knows exactly what it takes to succeed in that particular course of study, and can discuss why you would be a good fit.

Finally, while this may seem obvious, be sure to ask any prospective reference if they can provide you with a positive reference tailored to you specifically, not just a generic or neutral letter of recommendation. If they are unable to do so, try another instructor or faculty member.

Whether academic or professional, Kevin Meyer, Ph.D., Graduate Coordinator for the School of Communication at Illinois State University, encourages students to seek out references who have gone to graduate school themselves, and understand the importance of a strong recommendation letter. “I generally advise applicants to seek letters of recommendation from those who have attended a graduate program themselves,” he says. “These letters from faculty tend to be longer and more detailed than those from other recommenders, often speak to the academic and scholarly potential of the applicant (something the selection committee wants to know), and carry the credibility of coming from someone who knows what it takes to succeed in graduate studies.”

In order to give program faculty ample time to review one’s application, students should be sure to submit their documents as soon as possible. Several of the faculty members we interviewed warned against waiting until the deadline, as it can be harder to stand out among the sea of applications submitted at that time. Furthermore, some master’s in communication programs have rolling admission policies. This means they accept applications over a long period of time and review candidates throughout, instead of waiting for a particular deadline to make their decision. In these cases, it is possible for the program to reach enrollment capacity even before the actual application deadline. Students who are accepted after enrollment is full for a given start date typically must wait for the next start date in order to begin the program.

According to Dr. Meyer, submitting one’s application materials early is important because it gives admissions staff more time to get to know a candidate. “I always encourage applicants to have their files complete and submitted weeks before the deadline,” he explains. “The more time the selection committee can spend with a file before being inundated with a stack of materials at the deadline, the more opportunity there is for committee members to fall in love with a file.”

MastersinCommunications.com wants to thank all of the faculty we interviewed, and Dr. Anderson, Dr. Bergman, Dr. DeChaine and Dr. Pitts for their excellent advice on applying to a Master’s in Communication program. We hope this article helps prospective students who are currently in the application process or considering a graduate program in the field.

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Political consultant behind fake Biden robocalls faces $6 million fine and criminal charges

FILE - In this image taken from video, Steve Kramer speaks during an interview, Feb. 26, 2024, in Miami. The Federal Communications Commission has issued a $6 million fine against the political consultant who sent AI-generated robocalls mimicking President Joe Biden’s voice to voters ahead of New Hampshire’s presidential primary. Steve Kramer also faces two dozen criminal charges in New Hampshire. Kramer has admitted orchestrating the message sent to thousands of voters. (AP Photo)

FILE - This June 19, 2015, file photo, shows the Federal Communications Commission building in Washington. The Federal Communications Commission has issued a $6 million fine against the political consultant who sent AI-generated robocalls mimicking President Joe Biden’s voice to voters ahead of New Hampshire’s presidential primary. Steve Kramer also faces two dozen criminal charges in New Hampshire. Kramer has admitted orchestrating the message sent to thousands of voters. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

FILE - In this Aug. 11, 2019, file photo, a man uses a cell phone in New Orleans. The Federal Communications Commission has issued a $6 million fine against the political consultant who sent AI-generated robocalls mimicking President Joe Biden’s voice to voters ahead of New Hampshire’s presidential primary. Steve Kramer also faces two dozen criminal charges in New Hampshire. Kramer has admitted orchestrating the message sent to thousands of voters. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)

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CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A political consultant who sent artificial intelligence-generated robocalls mimicking President Joe Biden’s voice to voters ahead of New Hampshire’s presidential primary faces a $6 million fine and more than two dozen criminal charges.

The Federal Communications Commission said the fine it proposed Thursday for Steven Kramer is its first involving generative AI technology. The company accused of transmitting the calls, Lingo Telecom, faces a $2 million fine, though in both cases the parties could settle or further negotiate, the FCC said.

Kramer has admitted orchestrating a message that was sent to thousands of voters two days before the first-in-the-nation primary on Jan. 23. The message played an AI-generated voice similar to the Democratic president’s that used his phrase “What a bunch of malarkey” and falsely suggested that voting in the primary would preclude voters from casting ballots in November.

Kramer is facing 13 felony charges alleging he violated a New Hampshire law against attempting to deter someone from voting using misleading information. He also faces 13 misdemeanor charges accusing him of falsely representing himself as a candidate by his own conduct or that of another person. The charges were filed in four counties and will be prosecuted by the state attorney general’s office.

Attorney General John Formella said New Hampshire was committed to ensuring that its elections “remain free from unlawful interference.”

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“I am pleased to see that our federal partners are similarly committed to protecting consumers and voters from harmful robocalls and voter suppression,” said Formella, who was appointed by Republican Gov. Chris Sununu.

Lingo Telecom said it strongly disagrees with the FCC’s action, which it called an attempt to impose new rules retroactively.

“Lingo Telecom takes its regulatory obligations extremely seriously and has fully cooperated with federal and state agencies to assist with identifying the parties responsible for originating the New Hampshire robocall campaign,” the company said. “Lingo Telecom was not involved whatsoever in the production of these calls and the actions it took complied with all applicable federal regulations and industry standards.”

The New Hampshire calls falsely showed up to recipients as coming from the personal cellphone number of Kathy Sullivan, a former state Democratic Party chair who helped run the Biden write-in campaign. She said in an email Thursday that she hopes Kramer is learning “there is a steep price for trying to rig an election.”

“The swift, decisive action by the New Hampshire Department of Justice and the FCC hopefully will deter other bad and/or stupid actors who don’t respect democracy,” she said.

Kramer, who owns a firm that specializes in get-out-the-vote projects, did not respond to an email seeking comment Thursday. He told The Associated Press in February that he wasn’t trying to influence the outcome of the election but rather wanted to send a wake-up call about the potential dangers of artificial intelligence when he paid a New Orleans magician $150 to create the recording.

“Maybe I’m a villain today, but I think in the end we get a better country and better democracy because of what I’ve done, deliberately,” Kramer said in February.

Voter suppression carries a prison sentence of 3 1/2 to 7 years in prison. Impersonating a candidate is punishable by up to a year in jail.

In an interview days after he was publicly identified as the source of the calls, Kramer said he disagreed that his robocall suppressed voter turnout, noting that Biden won the Democratic primary by a wide margin as a write-in candidate. While he did some ballot access work for another former Democratic presidential hopeful, Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota, Kramer said he acted alone.

“I wrestled in college. I’m ready for the fight,” said Kramer, who is scheduled to appear in court on June 5. “If they want to throw me in jail, good luck.”

Since the New Hampshire robocalls, the FCC has taken steps to combat the growing use of artificial intelligence tools in political communications. In February, it confirmed that AI voice-cloning tools in robocalls are banned under existing law, and on Wednesday, it introduced a proposal to require political advertisers to disclose when they use content generated by artificial intelligence in broadcast television and radio ads.

If adopted, the new rules would add a layer of transparency that many lawmakers and AI experts have been calling for as rapidly advancing generative AI tools churn out lifelike images, videos and audio clips that threaten to mislead voters in the upcoming U.S. election.

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said Thursday that regulators are committed to helping states go after perpetrators. In a statement, she called the New Hampshire robocalls “unnerving.”

“Because when a caller sounds like a politician you know, a celebrity you like, or a family member who is familiar, any one of us could be tricked into believing something that is not true with calls using AI technology,” she said in a statement. “It is exactly how the bad actors behind these junk calls with manipulated voices want you to react.”

Swenson reported from New York.

The Associated Press receives support from several private foundations to enhance its explanatory coverage of elections and democracy. See more about AP’s democracy initiative here . The AP is solely responsible for all content.

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Smart Communications Identified as a Leader in the Aragon Research Globe for Workflow and Content Automation, 2024

Evaluation identifies Intelligent Data Capture and Customer Communications Management (CCM) WCA provider’s effectiveness in executing its defined strategy

Smart Communications™, a leading technology company focused on helping businesses engage in more meaningful customer conversations, today announced that it has been named a Leader in The Aragon Research Globe™ for Workflow and Content Automation (WCA), 2024 for the fifth consecutive year. The new report evaluates 12 key providers at the forefront of the WCA market.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240528909699/en/

(Graphic: Business Wire)

In this report, Aragon Research spotlights how:

• SmartIQ™ enables end-to-end, intelligent data capture for enhanced accuracy, automatically routing information for approvals and generating personalized content and documents.
• Smart Communications’ SaaS-native Conversation Cloud™ platform and SmartCOMM™ (CCM) solution facilitates fully digital, compliant customer conversations including onboarding, workflow, collaboration, and content automation.
• Strategic partnerships and marketplace accelerators extend connectivity with third-party systems, enhancing communication strategies and elevating customer experiences.

“We see Workflow and Content Automation as a market that is in transition with Generative AI emerging that will help to generate and automate document processes faster” said Jim Lundy, Founder and CEO of Aragon Research. “Aragon is predicting a future where a conversational interface means richer customer interactions across data capture, content creation and automation processes.”

Enterprise architecture is shifting toward the cloud and embracing low-code solutions for workflow and document generation. Content automation is getting smarter and is poised to change quickly as AI-based large language models (LLM) and conversational AI now offer the ability to create personalized content and customer experiences.

"Our team is dedicated to delivering an unparalleled platform to meet our customers’ evolving demands.” said Simon Tindal, Chief Technology Officer, Smart Communications. “This sustained acknowledgment from Aragon Research highlights our efforts in Workflow and Content Automation, which is pivotal for empowering our customers to engage in future-proof customer conversations. We take immense pride in being recognized as a Leader for the fifth consecutive year and look forward to continued excellence.”

Download a complimentary copy of the report here .

About Aragon Research

Aragon Research delivers high-impact visual research, consulting, and advisory services to provide enterprises the insight they need to make better technology and strategy decisions. Aragon Research serves business and IT leaders and has a proven team of veteran analysts. For more information, visit https://www.aragonresearch.com/

Aragon Research does not endorse vendors, or their products or services that are referenced in its research publications, and does not advise users to select those vendors that are rated the highest. Aragon Research publications consist of the opinions of Aragon Research and Advisory Services organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Aragon Research provides its research publications and the information contained in them “AS IS,” without warranty of any kind.

About Smart Communications

Smart Communications provides the platform that leading organizations trust to deliver personalized, consistent and compliant conversations across all touchpoints and channels. The Conversation Cloud™ consists of SmartCOMM™, for enterprise-scale customer communications, SmartIQ™ for digital forms transformation and SmartDX™ for trade documentation. Over 650 enterprise organizations across the globe rely on Smart Communications to simplify and automate complex processes and deliver highly secure, frictionless experiences across the customer lifecycle. To learn more, visit http://www.smartcommunications.com

[email protected] (857) 217-2886

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240528909699/en/

Market Updates

Markets brief: inflation back in the spotlight, ai is booming, but consumer spending is slowing. which will prevail in the stock market, what’s happening in the markets this week, is the era of volatility-suppressing policies possibly over, 5 undervalued stocks that crushed earnings for q1 2024, what does nvidia’s stock split mean for investors, after earnings, is home depot stock a buy, a sell, or fairly valued, after earnings, is baidu stock a buy, a sell, or fairly valued, stock picks, 2 wide-moat stocks to consider, live nation: breakup sought by department of justice probably wouldn’t affect fair value much, after earnings, is applied materials stock a buy, sell, or fairly valued, the best energy stocks to buy, snowflake earnings: mixed news, but signs of stability, nvidia earnings: ai demand smashes expectations again, after earnings, is walmart stock a buy, a sell, or fairly valued, target earnings: margins hold up, but top line constrained by weak discretionary spending, sponsor center.

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FTC Proposes New Protections to Combat AI Impersonation of Individuals

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The Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comment on a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking that would prohibit the impersonation of individuals. The proposed rule changes would extend protections of the new rule on government and business impersonation that is being finalized by the Commission today.

The agency is taking this action in light of surging complaints around impersonation fraud, as well as public outcry about the harms caused to consumers and to impersonated individuals. Emerging technology – including AI-generated deepfakes – threatens to turbocharge this scourge, and the FTC is committed to using all of its tools to detect, deter, and halt impersonation fraud.

The Commission is also seeking comment on whether the revised rule should declare it unlawful for a firm, such as an AI platform that creates images, video, or text, to provide goods or services that they know or have reason to know is being used to harm consumers through impersonation.

“Fraudsters are using AI tools to impersonate individuals with eerie precision and at a much wider scale. With voice cloning and other AI-driven scams on the rise, protecting Americans from impersonator fraud is more critical than ever,” said FTC Chair Lina M. Khan. “Our proposed expansions to the final impersonation rule would do just that, strengthening the FTC’s toolkit to address AI-enabled scams impersonating individuals.”

The supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking is being issued in response to comments received during the public comment period on the government and business impersonation rule that pointed to the additional threats and harms posed by impersonation of individuals. As scammers find new ways to defraud consumers, including through AI-generated deepfakes, this proposal will help the agency deter fraud and secure redress for harmed consumers.

Final Rule on Government and Business Impersonation

In addition to the supplemental notice, the FTC has finalized the Government and Business Impersonation Rule, which gives the agency stronger tools to combat scammers who impersonate businesses or government agencies, enabling the FTC to directly file federal court cases aimed at forcing scammers to return the money they made from government or business impersonation scams. This is particularly important given the Supreme Court’s April 2021 ruling in AMG Capital Management LLC v. FTC , which significantly limited the agency’s ability to require defendants to return money to injured consumers.

Government and business impersonation scams have cost consumers billions of dollars in recent years, and both categories saw significant increases in reports to the FTC in 2023. The rule authorizes the agency to fight these scams more effectively.

For example, the rule would enable the FTC to directly seek monetary relief in federal court from scammers that:

• Use government seals or business logos  when communicating with consumers by mail or online.
• Spoof government and business emails and web addresses , including spoofing “.gov” email addresses or using lookalike email addresses or websites that rely on misspellings of a company’s name.
• Falsely imply government or business affiliation  by using terms that are known to be affiliated with a government agency or business (e.g., stating “I’m calling from the Clerk’s Office” to falsely imply affiliation with a court of law).   

The publication of the final rule comes after the two rounds of public comment in response to an advance notice of proposed rulemaking issued in December 2021, a notice of proposed rulemaking issued in September 2022, and an informal hearing in May 2023.

The Commission vote to issue the final rule and the supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking and to publish them in the Federal Register was 3-0. Chair Lina M. Khan issued a separate statement that was joined by Commissioners Rebecca Kelly Slaughter and Alvaro M. Bedoya.

Both items will appear in the Federal Register shortly. The final rule on government and business impersonation will become effective 30 days from the date it is published in the Federal Register. The public comment period for the SNPRM will be open for 60 days following the date it is published in the Federal Register, and instructions for how to comment will be included in the notice.

The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition and protect and educate consumers .  The FTC will never demand money, make threats, tell you to transfer money, or promise you a prize. Learn more about consumer topics at consumer.ftc.gov , or report fraud, scams, and bad business practices at  ReportFraud.ftc.gov . Follow the FTC on social media , read consumer alerts and the business blog , and sign up to get the latest FTC news and alerts .

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3 Ways to Clearly Communicate Your Company’s Strategy

• Constantinos C. Markides
• Andrew MacLennan

Most leaders struggle to explain big decisions in a way that makes sense to employees.

For all the communication around strategy, we know that leaders at many companies don’t provide the necessary context for employees to understand what the words and sentences in a strategy statement actually mean. What can leaders do to help employees understand enough context to understand a strategy? In this article, the authors offer three recommendations: 1) Present the alternatives considered and explain why they were not adopted. 2) Explain how each choice is linked to the organization’s purpose. 3) Involve employees in strategy development.

A pilot once told us a story about an accident on an early morning flight in the 1950s. As the aircraft accelerated to take off, the captain noticed his flight engineer’s sullen expression and called out, “Cheer up, George.” But in his sleepy state, what the engineer heard was, “Gear up, George” — and he duly raised the landing gear — prematurely as they were not quite airborne. The aircraft sank onto its fuselage and slid to a halt, causing much damage. Luckily, nobody was hurt.

• Constantinos C. Markides is a professor of strategic and international management at London Business School.  
• AM Andrew MacLennan is a guest lecturer at London Business School in London England

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Public relations personal statement example 3.

The media is central to the experience of modern life. It builds and connects cultures and communities locally, nationally and globally and shapes our views of the world, our identities and our fantasies. It makes up global industries, providing employment and shaping cultural, political and economic realities. However,public relations is about reputation, it is the discipline which looks after reputation, with the aim of obtaining understanding, support and influencing opinion and behaviour.I have read that the Institute of Public Relations define it as the planned and sustained effort to establish and maintain goodwill and mutual understanding between an organisation and its publics. I see this as method of assisting the marketing of an organisation Looking up the word publics I learn that publics are audiences that are important to the organisation. They include customers - existing and future; employees,; investors; media; government; suppliers and the general public;

I have also read a lot of books about public relations such as “Hand book of public relations (Oxford university press),An introduction of PRetc. According to these reading materials, I have got an awareness that public relations plays an important role in a wide variety of ways through our life and it is a process to disseminate information. But public relations couldnt work alone apart from propagate. It is not only an effective medium to transfer information and goodwill about organizations, publics or individuals but to set a positive image and maintain reputation between them.

My home country China is staging the Olympic Games this year; this is an opportunity for China to improve its public relations with the rest of the world. If China stages the games in a successful way without ant incidents or controversy it will be a good Public Relations exercise that not only improves China's reputation with all the athletes who participate but also to the millions that will watch TV and internet coverage.

I believe that by developing good communication skills and a motivated attitude to see different people and make various friends, this could give me a good start to study this course in the future. What's more, to deal with various people and complex situations is the career I want.I like challenges and unexpected changes and risk rather than a life of routine. I think this is why I was attracted by public relations .The right public relations strategy can make a big difference to an organisation. a person and a country.

My experience in student events and part-time jobs assists the decision to take this subject. During last term at Greenwich University while study a foundation course, I attended the student-staff university wide meetings on behalf of my class. This has developed my capacity to deal with people very proficiently. From the time that I came to this country two years ago, I have had a job in a restaurant as a bar person. Although it is work I also treat it as a part of entertainment in my life. I enjoy the busy time in the bar while a lot of customers are talking with me. I try to make good customers relations to insure their requirements have been meet. This enables me to not only work there but to improve my skills of communicate with public, responsibilities, team-working and problem solving. In addition it has given me a good review of London's social life. It has also assisted me to gain additional confidence.

During my study at Greenwich, the courses both on business communication and academic English have given me a good understanding of various communications and cultural life of our modern society. Group work on research assignments has improved my writing and organization skills. My interest in media was fuelled.

Furthermore, in my spare time, I am very interested in badminton. From a young age I joined the school sports teams in China and attended the school league badminton matches. Over time this has helped me to become a highly motivated and ambitious person.

Evidently, I have high level of interest in the subject of public relations. My qualities, skills, abilities and experience can help me to adjust to the new environment at University and to cope with the demands of this subject and complete the study of this subject successfully. What's more, to deal with various people could help public relations develop successfully but the most important is to do with integrity, in public relations and also in our life. Hopefully you consider my application in this course and give me a chance to develop and contribute in public relations.

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This personal statement was written by huayu67 for application in 2008.

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Fri, 18/07/2008 - 13:24

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