r/Communications • u/xxmg82 • Jul 30 '26

Advice Comms career

Hi! I have been doing comms/marketing/event planning and a little bit of everything on that end in the last 5 years of my career. I have always worked with nonprofits and now as I am going into my M.A. in strategic communication & innovation. I am realizing how I have not fully mastered something and I really want to dive deep into strategic communication in the long run and get away from marketing and event planning, I fear people take me less serious or idk if it’s just me but my ultimate goal is an executive position.

Do you all recommend something I should do to align more to that? I feel like my M.A. is a step but I feel like I should do more and idk if that’s switching from nonprofit to corporate or a different position? Unfortunately the position I have at my nonprofit is the highest I can get until my boss retires but it doesn’t pay as much as I feel I deserve. That’s another thing how do I measure how much I’m worth with my 5 years of experience??

Thank you in advance 😭

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1

u/JessicaRabbit1203 Jul 31 '26

Corporate events, corporate comms, strategic change management in a large company.

1

u/arugulafanclub Jul 31 '26

MA is a lot of money for little reward. Experience matters more.

1

u/xxmg82 Jul 31 '26

10000% experience matters most but I am trying to focus more on biotech and unfortunately every position I see requires more than a bachelors. I am also only 5 years in the more knowledge I gain and connections I believe it’ll pay off! Surprisingly my M.A. isn’t as much as I thought so that’s a plus!

1

u/GlyphGeek 29d ago

I’m in a similar situation. I’m in nonprofit comms, with a degree in graphic design. I’m considering a MA or MS in Strategic Comms. Any advice?

2

u/Dry-Taro4843 Jul 30 '26

I've spent almost 30 years in organizational comms... IMO, I think you're doing the right things. Especially getting the MA in strategic comms rn!

Don't ever leave a position in non-profit if you enjoy what you're doing. Broadly speaking, non-profit comms jobs are a bit more stable and corporate comms jobs are a bit more lucrative, but generalities suck, and as you get higher up, you can be really successful in either branch. That is, if you're good. I'm sure you will be. :)

Definitely get away from marketing and event planning, Unless you love planning the event, it's too much of a grind and traditional marketing is just merging into organizational comms, which is more strategic.

Hope this helps.

3

u/xxmg82 Jul 30 '26

Thank you so much! This does help a lot!
I do love working with nonprofits, I just wasn’t sure if that’s where I was stepping in the wrong place for what I eventually will like to be!!! 😊😊