188: How to Break Into Communications in the Social Good Space w/ Sean Gibbons, The Communications Network [Espresso Shots]

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Sean Gibbons is CEO of the Communications Network, a professional network of foundation and nonprofit leaders that improve lives through smart communication.  Sean is also living proof that in today’s dynamic economy, it is becoming more and more common for professionals to change jobs almost a dozen times between the ages of 18-48!  During his successful career, Sean has worked in journalism as well as in communication strategy in think tanks, and nonprofits. Before he worked in the field of communications, Sean built a career in journalism as an award-winning producer at CNN. He served as the Washington producer for shows like American Morning, News Night with Aaron Brown, and Anderson Cooper 360.   Then Sean switched gears and moved into the think tank world, first as the Director of Media Strategy at the Center for American Progress (CAP), a progressive organization where he jump started an innovated online video department as well as the company’s social media platforms. Then, Sean became Vice President of Communications and Senior Fellow at Third Way, another public policy think tank in Washington, DC.  Press play in this Espresso Shots episode to learn more about how you can break into this dynamic and meaningful field in the social good and nonprofit sector!

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT IN THIS EPISODE: ESPRESSO SHOTS

• What entry level jobs are available to young people who want to get into communications → data and analytics, digital tools ( junior associate, look for amount of experience)
• How soft skills like curiosity and an aptitude to learn are the most important skills you can have in this field
• Why the communications field is more like the ‘ideas’ business
• Why a psychology degree would be a valuable background to have
• Why a communications degree isn’t the best degree to get to break into this field
• What “cultural curiosity” is and how it relates to communications
• Why The War Room and TED Talks can be useful to watch
• If you want to learn more about what Sean does in his current job and how he built his career tune in to T4C episode #140