By Luke Worsham
Belmont’s chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators still plans to provide communications students the chance to connect with industry professionals during the fall semester, though those connections will have to be digital, for now.
IABC is a national organization that assists communication professionals in networking and sharing best practices. Belmont’s chapter of IABC frequently hosts WELL Core events that allow students to meet, learn from and ask questions to industry professionals,
“At Belmont, our main goals are to really connect students with Nashville professionals, and help provide communications students with opportunities in the area,” said Renee Schroeder, president of Belmont’s IABC chapter.
“We typically host a few WELL Core events who work in different areas of communication who can speak to students about their career path, tips for getting a job and different things that are communication-related.”
Because opportunities with a communications degree are so diverse, IABC makes sure to find speakers from several different industries. These include healthcare, human resources, employee recruiters, marketing and public relations.
While dates for the events aren’t set in stone as of yet, IABC’s plans for the fall 2020 semester include a presentation on how to use the Enneagram in a business setting from Dr. Jeremy Fyke of Belmont’s communication studies faculty and a Q-and-A session in which Belmont freshmen will be able to pick the brains of upperclassmen.
For now, of course, all of these events will be held digitally, but IABC leadership isn’t letting COVID-19 distract them from their mission.
“Obviously it’s a bummer because we had hoped to bring in a lot of people and host mixers, but we are trying to still have speakers come in through Zoom,” Schroeder said.
When things get back to normal, though, students who attend IABC events will again be able to take advantage of what is perhaps the organization’s most helpful opportunity—meeting with industry professionals one-on-one following their presentations at WELL Core events.
“Everyone’s super willing afterward to grab coffee with you to say how they got into the field, and it really kind of gives you a direction of what you could possibly do post-grad,” said Lexi Walker, vice president of Belmont IABC.
“Everyone is super welcoming.”
Students who want to become involved with Belmont IABC events can stay up to date with the organization’s calendar by following them on Instagram at the handle @belmontiabc.
Students majoring in communication studies or corporate communications can also check their school email address for updates on IABC. The organization sent out a welcome letter on Thursday.
Cover image via Colleges of Distinction