By Katy Griggs
I serve on the board for IABC Atlanta (International Association of Business Communicators, Atlanta chapter), and in my role, I regularly engage with corporate communications and marketing professionals to understand their challenges and what’s top of mind. Two major, ongoing trends are shaping our industry today: a rapidly changing marketplace and increasing isolation among marketing communications professionals.
It seems ironic that many communications and marketing professionals find themselves increasingly isolated in an industry that thrives on connections. Yet, since 2023, U.S. public health officials have classified loneliness – feeling like you lack meaningful relationships or a sense of belonging – as a public health epidemic (American Psychiatric Association, 2024).
For marcom professionals, this issue is compounded by significant workplace changes, including layoffs, leaner teams, and the rapid evolution of technology such as AI. Whether you’re a one-person shop or part of a global team, these shifts impact us all.
So how do we, as marcom professionals, move beyond this isolation and navigate the ever-changing marketplace? The answer is simple but powerful: find your community.
Why Community Matters
A sense of belonging in a professional environment – where you can openly discuss ideas, challenges, and industry shifts – isn’t just a “nice to have”; it’s essential for career growth and well-being. A strong professional network provides:
- Support and shared experiences.
- Fresh ideas and insights into industry trends.
- Opportunities for mentorship and career development.
How to Find Your People
- Explore local professional organizations – Organizations with local chapters such as IABC Atlanta, American Marketing Association (AMA), Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), and others offer great opportunities to connect with peers. (IABC Atlanta is my personal recommendation. Haha!) Note: Hire Profile keeps a running calendar of all the local Atlanta marketing & creative events here!
- Commit to showing up – Narrow your options to one or two groups that resonate with you and keep showing up.
- Become a member – Once you’ve found the right fit, make it official and join as a member. If anything, it gives you street cred.
- Get involved – Volunteering on a committee enables you to have deeper conversations and helps you expand your network.
For some, networking feels intimidating or unnatural. The hardest part is to simply start. The more you put yourself out there, the easier it becomes. Trust me.
Whether you’re looking for support, industry insights, or simply a sense of belonging, your people are out there. You just have to find them.
Katy Griggs serves as the chair of the Professional Development Committee on the IABC Atlanta board, a role that signifies her commitment to continuous learning and development in the communications field. Her involvement in IABC Atlanta spans well over a decade and includes previous stints as co-chair of the Professional Development Committee, as well as a member of the Awards & Amusements committee.
Katy is a senior communications leader and strategist with a passion for excellent storytelling. With more than 25 years of experience in the technology, fintech, banking and automotive industries, she is known for her ability to connect the dots across business lines and influence positive outcomes. Most recently, she led business transformation communications at Cox Automotive. Prior to this, Katy spent eight years at Elavon, a global payments processor, where she established the inaugural North America Customer Communications team and expanded into multiple communications disciplines.