Industry Leaders Share Advice for Communications Graduates Entering the Workforce
Editor’s Note: This article is part of a new CommPRO editorial series exploring what today’s communications graduates should know as they enter the workforce during one of the profession’s most transformative moments. The series launched with recent reflections from Renée S. Edelman in her CommPRO article, “Renée S. Edelman to 2026 Communications Graduates: Stay Open to New Opportunities and Build a Circle of People You Trust.” Throughout the rest of May, CommPRO will continue gathering perspectives from leaders across the communications industry. We welcome your advice and insights as part of this ongoing conversation.
We’re in the heart of commencement season and, as it begins winding down, the job search is starting to ramp up for a new generation entering the communications profession.
This year’s graduates are entering the workforce during one of the most disruptive and transformative periods the communications industry has ever experienced. AI is rapidly reshaping workflows, audience behavior, media discovery and storytelling itself. At the same time, employers continue searching for something technology alone cannot deliver: professionals who know how to think critically, communicate strategically, build trust and connect with people in meaningful ways.
That tension is becoming one of the defining conversations across the industry right now. How do young professionals prepare for careers in a business being reshaped in real time by technology, shifting workplace expectations and rapidly evolving communications channels?
As this series unfolds, one message continues surfacing across the industry: technical skills matter, but curiosity, empathy, adaptability and relationship-building remain the foundation of long-term success.
One theme is already becoming very clear: while AI and technology continue reshaping communications, the qualities that truly define successful professionals remain deeply human. Curiosity. Empathy. Integrity. Relationship-building. Strategic thinking. And the ability to turn information into insight and action.
We begin with three thoughtful perspectives from leaders helping shape the future of the profession.
Marina Stenos, Managing Partner, Global Education, FINN Partners
“The communications landscape isn’t just about “sending messages;” it’s about building and sustaining human connection in an increasingly fragmented world. As you begin your professional journey, remember that your degree is a license to be a professional listener.
Your first job isn't your destination; it's your laboratory. Look for environments that value empathy and critical inquiry over mere content production and task completion. Don't just master the tools. AI will continue to iterate and evolve, as all technology does. Master the nuances. Pay attention to people, to policies and trends, to culture and values. Read voraciously. That is the best way to build durable narratives that move people to action. Be the person who understands why a story matters, not just how to post it. Stay curious, stay ethical, and treat every interaction as a design challenge.”
Linda Descano, Global Chief Integration & Marketing Officer, Havas Red
“As you enter today’s communications workforce, build business acumen as deliberately as you build creative skill. Understand how growth, margin, data, and culture connect to the stories you tell. Stay relentlessly curious about technology including and beyond AI, people, and the world beyond our industry. Integrate, don’t silo: creativity, media, analytics, and commerce are one system now. Earn trust by listening first, acting with integrity, and measuring what matters. Be brave enough to challenge assumptions, humble enough to keep learning, and human enough to lead with empathy. Your value will come from turning information into insight and insight into impact, responsibly and at scale.”
Descano’s perspective reflects how communications professionals are increasingly expected to bridge creativity and business strategy while navigating a rapidly evolving media and technology landscape.
Kathleen Rennie, Ph.D., APR, Fellow PRSA, Chair/Clinical Faculty of Integrated Marketing and Communications, Division of Programs in Business At NYU School of Professional Studies
“In the age of AI, your greatest advantage is your authentic presence. Show up in real life: go into the office, attend industry events, build relationships, and seek out people whose work and careers inspire you. The connections you make today shape the opportunities you discover tomorrow.
Just as importantly, commit to lifelong learning. Create a plan for continued professional growth through graduate study, APR certification, specialized training, and/or stackable industry credentials you may not have had time to pursue in school. Technology will continue to evolve rapidly, but curiosity, adaptability, and meaningful relationships will always distinguish exceptional professionals and leaders.”
Rennie’s advice underscores something many leaders across the industry continue emphasizing: while technology will continue changing the mechanics of communications, relationships, continuous learning and human connection remain at the center of long-term career growth.
As CommPRO continues this series throughout May, we welcome additional perspectives from across the communications community on what today’s graduates should know as they enter the workforce during one of the profession’s most transformative periods.
