Corporate Communications Courses Open Doors to Many Industries

As an entry-level communications specialist who has attended a Corporate Communications and Public Relations program complete with communication skills training, you may land jobs that involve: media relations, employee communications and web-based communications. More specifically, you may find a career with: public relations agencies, hospitals and health care providers, government ministries and agencies, trade associations, not-for-profit organizations, financial institutions and entertainment companies. Additionally, if you attend Centennial College’s Corporate Communications courses, you may be hired by reputable companies such as: Alliance Films, CTV, Apex Public Relations, Government of Canada, Enridge, Ontario Government, St. John's Rehab Hospital and more. As 2010 graduate Adrian Seely, who is the founder of trillPR points out, "The support I received at Centennial helped lead me to my first job and gave me the resources to start my own company. Thank you to the instructors at Centennial!"

Geared towards mature students, the communication skills training obtained through the Corporate Communications and Public Relations program is among some of the most highly regarded in Ontario. To apply, students are required to possess a college diploma or university degree in any discipline. The School will, however, consider applicants with partial post-secondary education (minimum of two years) and relevant work experience. In addition, applicants must attend a mandatory program admission session where they will: complete writing and editing exercises as well as submit a portfolio of writing and possibly a resume.

To ensure that they are employable upon graduation, students who attend this Corporate Communications course master: research, writing, planning, editing, as well as designing and implementing everything from strategic communications plans and employee newsletters to gala dinners for hundreds of people. Students also learn why it is important to create communications strategies that influence employee attitudes, shift stockholders’ opinions and tell an organization’s story to the media. Specific Corporate Communications courses include: Business for Corporate Communicators, Professional Practice, Project Management, Online Public Relations & Social Media (this program leads the way in social media and PR content), Presentation Skills, Design and Layout, and more.

Prior to graduation, students get to apply what they have learned in their Corporate Communication courses in two ways. The first is a course called Client Project, which sees students complete work outside the classroom, usually independently, with off-campus clients. The work is often for not-for-profits clients and can involve: strategic communications planning including the production of written and graphics pieces such as brochures, media kits or newsletters. Students are assigned a faculty advisor for the course and, typically, find their own clients. There is also an eight-week field placement that sees those in Corporate Communications courses work full time for eight weeks (or longer) at a public relations agency, a not-for-profit, a government ministry or department, a corporation or an association to gain practical experience and knowledge. Many field placements are unpaid positions. Others offer an honorarium.