Yvonne Costello, Internal Communication Manager at Health Service Executive shares her experience studying for the Masters in Internal Communication Management.
How would you summarise your overall experience of studying the Masters in Internal Communication Management?
It was a really positive experience. The lecturing team are lovely and so supportive of everyone, it was also great to have the option to attend the lectures in person or online as I was travelling from Ireland.
What are some of the most valuable skills or knowledge you gained during your studies in the Masters programme?
The skills I gained that have been most useful are understanding the client/communications professional relationship whether you're in-house or self-employed. How to set your consultation up for the best outcomes and how to use your expertise to influence those outcomes positively. Also just getting a deeper understanding of theory that underpins internal comms was invaluable.
What would you say to someone considering the Masters? What advice would you give?
Think about the time you have to dedicate to your studies and think about whether that's enough time to achieve what you want. Not everyone on the course is aiming for a distinction and that is okay. For me, it was about dedicating enough time to the course to get value from it but I'm still working my way through some of the recommended reading from the modules because there is so much to learn and that continues long after graduation.
In what ways has obtaining the Masters qualification impacted your approach to work?
It's made work a lot easier! Mainly because it solidified my knowledge and gave me confidence in what I do. It has also given me a new network of brilliant internal comms professionals who have many of the same challenges that I have in my organisation.