What is Your Media and Communications Learning Path?

When I think back to the early days of my PR & Marketing career and learning new skills, I remember how “training” meant college courses and industry association meetings. I was reading books, business publications, trade magazines and newspapers.

 

Of course, I had a mentor, and from him I learned by listening, watching and asking many questions. You’re probably wondering, what year was this? It was 1988 and pre- Internet. There was no Google or networking in social media communities to learn from other professionals in your industry, whether it was in your “neck of the woods” or around the world.

 

At the time, the facsimile (fax) machine was considered the “hot” technology. Can you imagine? If I asked Millennials or college students today, who are a part of Gen Z,  I’m not even sure they would know what a fax machine is or what it does.

 

For me, advancing over the years equated to taking advantage of learning opportunities and applying new skills. For example, becoming an author for Prentice Hall in 2000, meant using a new and different research process to write and publish my manuscripts; all a tremendous learning and growth experience.

 

Then, in 2008, when I was writing my fourth book, Putting the Public Back in Public Relations, I also started my PR Strategies blog. I took quickly embraced WordPress and started to vet content for the book. I built relationships with a community by sharing articles and collaborating on ideas and different topics. The focus was always learning about the changes in media and communications.

 

Of course, blog writing led to a shorter forms of content and sharing on Twitter (in 140 characters or less) and also on Facebook, YouTube and, my personal favorite, LinkedIn. Around every corner was learning and the opportunity to advance and grow on a number of different platforms.

 

As a communications professionals, now with 30+ years, I’m no stranger to a shifting landscape with advancing technology and changing consumer behavior. Increasing skills was always a part of the process, as change was considered the only constant.

 

However, today learning new skills has expanded in even more wonderful ways. Yes, there are books and magazines and blogs and social media will always connect you with someone who has in-depth knowledge. Yet, the amount of information online and on social media can be overwhelming and not easy to filter. And, Google, although helpful, can draw hundreds of thousands of resources from one simple search.

 

Now, there’s another option and an easy one for professionals who are looking for greater learning potential. LinkedIn has its Learning Pathfinder so you can advance your skills in media and communications.

 

 

 

My course, Public Relations Foundations is featured and unlocked beginning today, 3/29 through 4/29, within Pathfinder, along with some courses by well-known LinkedIn Learning instructors and colleagues, who include:

 

Mary Fontanez’s course on Creating a Communications Strategy

Jessica Chen’s course on Media Relations Foundations

Natasha Terk’s course on Tips for Better Business Writing

Michaela Alexis’ course on Marketing: Copywriting for Social Media

 

Once you finish the five course offered, you’ll have earned a certificate of completion. With new knowledge, you can test your new skills in your career, whether it’s at your current company or you’re going to pursue a new opportunity along your career path.

 

 If you want to check out the media and communications LinkedIn Learning Pathfinder, you can learn more here. 

 

What path do you take when you want to learn, and how are you advancing your communications and media skills?