I decided to pursue the Masters’ programme because I had worked with internal communication for many years, without any formal training. I have a language background and worked as a translator and language consultant for many years, before I “fell into” internal communication, like many others do. I ended up loving it.
I also wanted to meet people with similar experiences as myself.
There is no such programme in Norway, where I live, or even in Scandinavia. I had always worked internationally and had English as my working language in the jobs that I’ve had, so the programme was a super fit for me.
At the time, I also worked for an organisation that had a London office. The fact that the in-person workshops were in London meant that I could combine them with working from the London office for a few days.
The most impactful lessons I gained on the programme were about organisational theory, structure and culture. I knew little about it when I started. But these things greatly impact the work of internal communicators. Roles, strategies and actions can vary a lot between companies, simply because organisations are so different.
My best experience was getting to know my fellow students and forming a group. We really helped each other.
The combination of digital learning and in-person workshops was great for me. This meant that I could study while working full time and having three children at home – even in another country. The teaching methods were really well suited for busy people like myself.
There was also some flexibility, which I really appreciated. I decided to submit my final assignment almost two months early because I changed jobs while I studied. I wanted to have it done before I started in the new position. The course team helped me make it happen.
Learnings from the Masters on organisation and culture enabled me to apply these insights in my current role. I now work in a very different industry. When I started the programme, I worked in finance, where the employees were highly educated and desk-based. Now I work in the hotel industry, where most employees are not desk-based. Their backgrounds also vary a lot more.
I think I have handled the transition better because of what I learned during the Masters.
My tips for anyone considering studying for a Master’s degree: For those with families, it’s essential to have the necessary support at home. It’s also important to make arrangements with your employer well in advance. I was fortunate to get some extra time off occasionally, which I really appreciated. Since many of the assignments are based on your current job, your employer benefits too.
Find out more about the MA Internal Communication Management.
