2008 Woodie Awards
Communication Organization turns Students into Professionals
Molly Saunders: Muleskinner
Issue date: 3/5/08 Section: Features
Who wants a job after college? Do you have connections? If not, networking may be the next thing to check off your to-do list. Networking is the goal of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC).
Not only can networking improve the possibility of getting a job immediately after college, it is good for other things as well, said Alicia Fox, member and senior communication major.
"It provides opportunities, support, and a way to become a well-rounded individual," Fox said. "It's a simple, yet important tool for professionals, and if you aspire to be one someday, it doesn't hurt to get started [networking] right away."
"IABC is the second largest communication organization in the country," said Lacy Hollingshead, vice president of programs and junior corporate communication major. "They offer a large amount of resources to both students and communication professionals."
UCM's IABC chapter meets twice a month to discuss future events and recruiting. Jacqueline Thompson, IABC president and senior speech communication major, said recruiting is crucial at this time.
"Our chapter was dormant for a while," Thompson said. "We didn't have any active members until last spring when a few students took it upon themselves to start recruiting members again."
Jennifer Rieskamp, senior corporate communication major, said she started the program again because she thought corporate communications majors were being left out.
"Usually, corporate communications majors had to either pick public relations or broadcast organizations to be involved in," Rieskamp said. "I wanted to start it again to give corporate communication majors something to be involved in that really centered on our major."
"I joined IABC because I wanted to be involved in an organization that would be relevant to my field of study," Hollingshead said.
"This organization gives you the opportunity to practice the communication skills that you learn in the classroom."
Not only can networking improve the possibility of getting a job immediately after college, it is good for other things as well, said Alicia Fox, member and senior communication major.
"It provides opportunities, support, and a way to become a well-rounded individual," Fox said. "It's a simple, yet important tool for professionals, and if you aspire to be one someday, it doesn't hurt to get started [networking] right away."
"IABC is the second largest communication organization in the country," said Lacy Hollingshead, vice president of programs and junior corporate communication major. "They offer a large amount of resources to both students and communication professionals."
UCM's IABC chapter meets twice a month to discuss future events and recruiting. Jacqueline Thompson, IABC president and senior speech communication major, said recruiting is crucial at this time.
"Our chapter was dormant for a while," Thompson said. "We didn't have any active members until last spring when a few students took it upon themselves to start recruiting members again."
Jennifer Rieskamp, senior corporate communication major, said she started the program again because she thought corporate communications majors were being left out.
"Usually, corporate communications majors had to either pick public relations or broadcast organizations to be involved in," Rieskamp said. "I wanted to start it again to give corporate communication majors something to be involved in that really centered on our major."
"I joined IABC because I wanted to be involved in an organization that would be relevant to my field of study," Hollingshead said.
"This organization gives you the opportunity to practice the communication skills that you learn in the classroom."
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