Career story: how to excel in communications

What does a day in your shoes feel like? And what are the key skills that can make or break a career in your field?

We have asked a diverse group of Apolitical members to share their career story with us and the tips they have for junior public servants. In this article, Dishnika Perera explains why cultural sensitivity, a loving of storytelling, and a passion for making a better world possible are essential to a career in communications.

**What is your current role, and how do you spend your time on a standard workday?

**

I'm the communications officer at the UNV regional office for Asia and the Pacific, based in Bangkok, Thailand.

My role here is challenging but very fulfilling. I provide strategic communication direction and support to the UN Volunteers (UNV) programme to promote peace and development through volunteerism across Asia and the Pacific region. This includes initiatives and campaigns to promote volunteering for the 2030 Agenda, and the role of volunteering in contributing to accelerating the sustainable development goals (SDGs).

What's really amazing for me is that I get to highlight the inspiring work of UN Volunteers serving in the region. My standard working day involves coordinating with my colleagues at the UNV regional office and UNV country offices in the Asia Pacific, UNV headquarters, as well as other UN partners and stakeholders, to develop and implement strategies on editorial, online communications, outreach initiatives, events and social media campaigns.

In your opinion, what are the most important skills someone needs to excel in your field?

You need to be multifaceted but what I've found works as a foundation are:

1. Respect for diversity

Being culturally sensitive is very important. In whatever context you work, I believe it’s important to understand the different personal, cultural, ethnic, religious and political sensitivities among the different stakeholders you work with. Something that may not offend one person may offend another. Therefore, especially when you are working in communications, I believe it’s important to have strong instincts to identify your stakeholders and recognise the most suitable ways to tailor your messaging.

2. Flexibility

It is important to be flexible and have the drive to keep learning, as the field of communications is constantly evolving. For example, there are many digital communications tools and methods we use today to talk effectively to different audiences, which we didn’t even think about two to five years ago. It’s important to understand and be willing to learn these trends as you progress in this field.

3. Passion

Now I know this word might be overused, but this doesn't mean it's not important. Passion for making a difference through your work I believe is always important. In general, I love working with people and sharing their stories, and my love for storytelling has definitely been a plus when it comes to this job. It’s important to combine your skills with purpose, and to do that, passion plays a significant role.

What is your favourite part of your job? What would you change if you could wave a magic wand?

Highlighting the impact of volunteer contributions across the region is one of my favourite things to do! Volunteering is something that was instilled in me from my parents from a very young age. Over the years, I have volunteered to help people in my own little ways. As a Sri Lankan (incidentally, my country has the highest rate of volunteering in the world, according to the World Giving Index 2019) I have found a lot of joy in giving my time and energy to work that supports volunteering for the development of my country, in the UN, or anywhere it is needed.

In my ideal world, there will be no wars, no conflict, no poverty. We would live in peace, and treat everyone with respect, valuing each other and the beautiful variety we bring to each other's lives. I know it's a big ask, and a very big dream, but it’s something worth fighting for, and we should never lose hope.

What advice would you give to young people who are interested in a career in your field?

Be ready to continuously learn and acquire new skills. You are never too old to learn. Be respectful, be inclusive, be responsible. This is not an option. It is a duty. Be patient, and never give up on your dreams. It may sound clichéd, but if I had given up applying for UN opportunities a year ago, after being in the UNV roster for more than five years, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

And finally, for anyone in communications, I would like to leave you with some advice I got from a supervisor when I began my career as a journalist many years ago: “Check, check and check again.” Check your facts, check your audience, check your messaging. If there is anything you are unsure of or in doubt about, please check or ask. The context may have been different for me back then, but this advice has been helpful for me throughout the years. – Dishnika Perera

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