How to Grow a Comms Career Before You Graduate
3 practical things you can start doing now. No fancy job title needed.
Hello,
You are in school, studying mass communication or media or PR… and you are wondering:
“What can I actually do now to prepare for the career I want?”
Sighs, It’s one of those big thoughts that keeps you palpitating and won’t stop, believe me, I have been there. You are in your final year and the thought of what next keeps hanging over you like a dark cloud preparing the sky for a heavy downpour. The fear of the unknown.
But the truth is, there might be a way to conquer your fears. The part where you act rather than wait.
You don’t need to wait for NYSC, or a 9–5, or some miracle internship to start building your brand.
The earlier you start owning your growth, the stronger your launchpad becomes. Here are three super-practical things you can start doing right now even while juggling classes, tests, and of course, school life.
Start Building a Digital Portfolio
Even if you don’t have “official” experience, you can still showcase your ideas and creativity.
Here’s how:
Post weekly PR breakdowns or media trends on LinkedIn (pick a brand and share your analysis)
Document your campus PR work, content writing, event planning, etc. with photos and short write-ups
Build a free site on Notion or Canva and list projects you have worked on (school plays, student council campaigns, blogs, etc.), you can also do this on Linktree.
Your digital footprint is your resume. Start now, even if it's rough around the edges.
Get Mentored From a Distance
Don’t know any PR or comms experts personally?
No problem. Start by learning from them online.
Follow 3–5 African creatives or communicators who inspire you
Listen to their podcasts, read their posts, join their webinars.
Take notes and ask yourself: ‘What can I try from this?’
If you engage thoughtfully with their content, you might eventually build a connection that becomes real mentorship.
Pitch Yourself for Micro-Opportunities
You don’t need big titles to do meaningful work.
Offer your skills (writing, design, social media, photography, etc.) to small brands, NGOs, or school orgs.
Send them a friendly pitch like:
“Hi, I’m a PR/comms/media/advertising/language student looking to grow. I admire your brand and would love to support your next project with copywriting or campaign (replace with anything you can help with) ideas. I’m open to learning and collaborating.”
Do it to 5–10 times. Someone will say yes.
We Asked, You Shared
Last week, we asked:
What’s one thing you wish schools taught about building a comms career?
Here are some of your answers:
“I wish we learnt more about crisis communication and real-time media handling. Theory is so different from what happens on social media.” - Fisayo, UNILAG
“It would be helpful to have more classes on branding and positioning yourself online. Many students don’t even know where to start.” - Ayo, UniBen
Want your thoughts featured next time? Reply to this email or DM us on Instagram.
Opportunity Radar
A few cool things to check out this month:
Student Writer Call: Want to contribute to TalkComms? We’re looking for two campus contributors. Reply if interested or fill in here.
The truth is: you don’t have to know it all.
You just have to be curious. Be consistent. And show up.
Your dream role in PR, branding, or journalism might feel far away now. But with every story you tell, every idea you pitch, every opportunity you create — you’re getting closer.
Keep going. We are rooting for you.
With love,
Know a comms student doing something bold on campus? Nominate them for our next ‘Student Spotlight’