As this post is being written, COVID-19 is impacting daily life across the globe. In the U.S., schools and offices have moved online as cities and states are issuing shelter-in-place orders and citizens practice social distancing. In a time when we have been asked to create distance, it seems the entire country is actually coming together, spiritually and virtually. Corporate companies like Facebook, Comcast, Zoom, SC Johnson, and Uber, are providing discounted or free services, donating to the CDC, paying workers who need to stay home, or paying for sick leave or medical bills of sick employees. On social media, users share information about the virus, ideas on how to handle staying home with tips on wellness, boredom, exercise, or just plain sharing entertaining content.
Working from home doesn’t have to limit your professional development opportunities. Professional organizations are also finding ways to serve their members virtually. The Association for Women in Communications, with student and professional chapters and independent members across the country, provides a unique network of women experts in the vast field of communications along with a ton of resources online at www.womcom.org.
Watch Know To Grow Webinars
Announced just this week, AWC has opened its entire database of recorded Know To Grow webinars to the public until April 30, in response to many professionals staying home and working remotely.
AWC provides monthly Know to Grow webinars on topics like internal/external communications, leadership, technology in communications, social media, marketing, branding or professional development. We pride ourselves on our relevant professional development events. Each session is presented by a communications expert discussing tips and tools helpful for your career. These live webinars are always FREE for AWC members, and only $39 for nonmembers, however our March and April webinars are free to anyone who registers!
Read Fun and Informative Blogs on Trending
This blog is an important resource for any communicator. Trending was created in March 2018 as a way to offer a platform for our members to share knowledge with the communications industry. Search for a blog post by topics you’re interested in, such as branding, best practices, leadership, women, and workplace. For example, read how to produce a video for branding, deal with writers block, start podcasting, master networking, develop leadership skills, and so much more.
Find a Mentor
AWC members can take advantage of the membership directory to connect with ANY AWC member. Search for a member by location, chapter, field or discipline, name, or membership date. This is a unique tool to leverage the AWC network of power women across the country. Be sure to update your own profile so other members can search for you, too!
Stay Connected with the AWC app
Last Fall, AWC created its own app, free to members! Once logged in, members automatically have access to their chapter’s group chat (and independent members are all in one, too!). Stay connected with fellow AWC members using the chat and membership directory, see AWC events and deadlines, update your profile and status, and access all the information we provide on the AWC website.
Host Virtual Meetings
Feeling disconnected from your tribe? Host a virtual meeting via conference call or webinar using Club Express. Just email [email protected] to learn how to get started.
Peer Reviews of Your Resume
The AWC Career website connects talent with opportunity. Use this resource to upload your resume for a FREE peer review, search for jobs by industry, location, or title, look for professional development events and opportunities, and read up on industry news.
It’s clear that in a world that is so interconnected by technology, staying home doesn’t have to be so bad. We encourage communicators to stay safe and healthy, practice guidelines laid out by the CDC, and use technology and online resources to connect and engage remotely.
#NoWastedDays
If you are interested in joining the Association for Women in Communications, learn more at www.womcom.org.
About the Author
Allison Buehner is a Marketing Communications Specialist for Comcast in Chicago. Her passion lies in using data to improve communication and enhance brand awareness in an effective and engaging way to reach the intended audience. She is a graduate of Illinois State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational & Leadership Communication Studies and a minor in Business Administration.
Allison served as the youngest Director on the national board for the Association for Women in Communications as a senior in college in 2016. In 2019, she was elected to serve AWC as the Vice Chair for AWC National.
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