Being a young professional is daunting in and of itself, but when you’re also the only communication professional at your organization, it can feel like a heavy bag to carry. Follies ultimately fall solely in your hands, and I often find myself obsessing over every little detail at any time of the day. I struggle to force work out of my mind during off hours and vacations, I sometimes find it hard to sleep as I lay awake worrying about upcoming projects, and the list could go on and on.
The moral of the story is I’m not perfect, and being young in the communication field is a little (or a lot) anxiety-inducing, especially when you have others looking to you for the answers. It’s challenging, and at many times, a lonely space to live in. So, what do you do when you may have little to no mentorship, or a small network of connections, and are in desperate need of 10 years of experience in five years or less?
Be Realistic
I’d prefer my daydreams over reality any day but that’s not really practical and neither is having 10 years' worth of knowledge in anything less than 3,650 days. When you’re surrounded by individuals who have more years of experience than you’ve been alive, it can feel like you’re less simply by association. It's absurdly difficult to reroute your mind (I struggle daily), but you can’t compare yourself to others. Maintain your level-headedness, and remember that everyone was an inexperienced youngster at one point in their lives.
Be a Lifelong Learner
Don’t forget, your education doesn’t end when you’re handed a diploma., Just as you look to those more seasoned professionals for insights, they too are still learning (maybe even a little bit from their young co-workers). You will discover something new every day, and being a lifelong learner is imperative to continual growth and development. It's also the only way to get that experience that you dream about.
Learn by Doing
With that said, don’t be afraid to learn by doing. As rising-professional, many of us just completed schooling with several scenarios occurring in a controlled or low-stakes environment. It's a little scary to take the risk of learning by doing when considering your position as the only communications professional and the potential consequences of misstepping. In my Jan. 9 post, I very briefly mention successful failures. Mistakes are inevitable, but they are also one of the best ways to improve your skills and nudge you in the right direction.
For example, when I first entered the field, I had no idea how to create unique tracking URLs, I couldn’t make a gif or edit a website using HTML or Java Script, and I certainly would not have considered myself a graphic designer. I was a strict writer devoted to public relations strategy and implementation, but when you’re tasked with doing it all, you have to adapt. It took a LONG time and a few broken web pages, but eventually, I learned how to broaden my scope and learn by doing.
Ask Within, but Reach Further Out
I sometimes find it hard to speak up about my “young professional struggles” because they seem so minimal when looking at the bigger picture and everything my co-workers handle on a daily basis. I also don’t want others to perceive me as young and inexperienced (ha!), but it's important to inform trusted co-workers of the barriers you face. Whether your team members have communications experience or not, they might have suggestions for development or connections to someone who can provide greater help. You never know if you don’t ask!
However, even with assistance from co-workers, you have to continue to reach outside the bounds of your organization, and development can’t always happen on work time. Chase the leads your peers provide you, invest some time reading and listening to new content, and explore your curiosities through various channels. As someone who wastes a decent amount of time sitting in construction traffic, I frequently tune into communication and public relations podcasts. While they don’t always relate to school communications or young professionals, I find the topics and discussions insightful and inspiring to discover new sectors, complete research, and reference back to when pitching new ideas to my leadership team.
In the evenings, you might find me scrolling on LinkedIn, clicking on articles, or following new trends and influencers in the profession. Yes, it is outside of work hours, but I’m not necessarily doing it for work. I’ll utilize my newfound knowledge in the office, but I go searching for it to better myself and contribute to my own brand.
There’s a Community for That
Even for communicators working for the most niche organizations, I guarantee there’s a group, society, or community filled with individuals who share similarities. There are layers to every job that might make connecting with like-minded professionals difficult, but there’s a community for everyone. Join your local PRSA chapter, look for an under 30 professional organization, or if you are really stuck with your specific needs, form your own crew.
» With this sentiment in mind, I’m excited to lead a private young professionals group through the Meltwater community. Young or novice communication professionals are welcome to join the network, ask questions, and collaborate with each other. Join the Rising Communication Professionals community on Meltwater.
Joining a network might not cover all aspects of the challenges you face, but it can make overcoming those difficulties a little easier and less lonely. The community provides a sense of belonging, and you might just find a mentor, a friend, or a greater understanding by expanding your comfort zone.
Be Humble, But Control that Imposter Syndrome
In my bio, I make a small reference to imposter syndrome which doesn’t discriminate against age but is quite prevalent among young professionals. Your organization hired you for a reason, and in the moment, it might seem undeserving, but you’ll eventually unlock your full potential. Take those insecurities of “I’m too young and inexperienced,” “I have no idea what I’m doing,” or “I feel really dumb,” and transform them into “I’m learning,” “I’m not sure, but I’m going to find out,” or “I’m getting better and continuing to improve.”
Above all else, the best piece of advice that I can give a young professional is to surround yourself with individuals who take an active interest in your growth and development both as a person and professional. I was fortunate enough to have a wonderful mentor and cheerleader for the first year of my career at the Environmental Charter School (ECS), and I know that I would not be where I am today without her support. Your company might have resources, a supporting budget, and connections, but that doesn’t fully alleviate the “young professional” struggle. It's important to keep perspective and forge the future you want.
Join the new community group, Rising Communications Professionals here.
