What Type Of Person Thrives In The Communications Industry, According To A Chief Of Strategic Communications At California High-Speed Rail
Melissa, Chief of Strategic Communications at California High-Speed Rail Authority, identifies respect for others and a willingness to listen as crucial for success in communications, stating that "everyone's opinion matters." The ability to acknowledge mistakes, "pivot," and learn from them while remaining culturally sensitive to diverse audiences are also key attributes for thriving in this field.
Communication, Respect, Cultural Sensitivity, Problem-Solving, Resilience
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
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Traits
Melissa Figueroa
Chief of Strategic Communications
California High-Speed Rail Authority
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
none
Creative Writing, Journalism
Government & Public Sector
Communication and Marketing
Transfer Student
Video Highlights
1. Respect for others and their opinions is crucial in communications.
2. The ability to acknowledge mistakes, learn from them, and adapt is essential.
3. Cultural sensitivity and understanding diverse perspectives are vital for effective communication, particularly in large-scale projects that involve various communities.
Transcript
How would you describe people who typically thrive in this industry?
In the communications industry, I think people thrive by being respectful of others. Everyone's opinion matters, and acknowledging when you might be wrong takes a big person.
But it also means you're learning and will pivot and improve next time. Everyone brings something to the table in communications, and oftentimes it's our job to convey their very important work in a meaningful way.
So, understanding all perspectives, all backgrounds, and being culturally sensitive is important. We have to communicate, especially for this project, in different tones and approaches depending on the communities we're reaching.
I would say respect is a big thing, along with listening. Don't be afraid to say you're wrong, pivot, apologize, and move on.