The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
Project Coordinator / Project Support Officer
2-3 yearsSkills to master
- Project planning basics, stakeholder communication, administrative support, understanding project lifecycle, managing small tasks independently.
You're ready to move on when
- You're already drafting comms for projects and getting good feedback.
- You're actively identifying process improvements and suggesting them.
- You've taken the lead on small components of larger projects.
- You're known for being organised and reliable.
- 2
Communications Specialist (Internal)
2-4 yearsSkills to master
- Crafting engaging messages, understanding audience segmentation, multi-channel communication, content creation (written, visual), internal branding.
You're ready to move on when
- You've been involved in comms for significant internal changes or initiatives.
- You can tailor messages for different levels of the organisation.
- You're comfortable advising project teams on communication best practices.
- You're proactive in seeking feedback on your comms effectiveness.
- 3
Learning & Development Specialist / Trainer
3-5 yearsSkills to master
- Instructional design, training delivery, adult learning principles, content development (e-learning, workshops), needs analysis.
You're ready to move on when
- You've designed and delivered training for new software or processes.
- You understand how to assess learning needs and measure training effectiveness.
- You're great at simplifying complex topics for learners.
- You're comfortable managing a classroom or virtual training environment.