By Katie Hughes, M.S. in Strategic Communication student
When I moved from London to New York City to pursue an M.S. in Strategic Communication, I was prepared to adjust to a brand new culture. However, I didn’t anticipate that as I continued to hone my skills through assignments, lectures, and readings, the cultural shift would also shape and improve my communication style.
Two semesters in, I’ve learned the importance of advocating for yourself, not only from peers and instructors, but also from the city itself. While daunting at first, I’ve found benefits in New York City’s ’hustle” culture that have made me rethink how I communicate, changing my perception of both life and work.
When I started the Strategic Communication program in August 2023, I participated in several orientation week activities organized for our cohort as ways to get to know one another. When introducing ourselves, I immediately became conscious of the contrast between my self-effacing nature and the comfort of my American peers in expressing pride for their achievements.
This was not an isolated experience. Since moving to New York, I've been surrounded by self-advocacy, from listening to friends talk about negotiating higher salaries to overhearing elevator conversations about my neighbor breaking her personal best record at the gym that morning. This couldn’t be further from my instincts as a British woman raised in what I call the “brilliantly brutal eye-roll culture” of Scotland and corporate London, where I studied and worked as a consultant.
The Strategic Communication program has helped me recognize the unintended consequences of my self-deprecating communication style. For example, the superfluous use of qualifying words such as “quite” and “just,” as well as the excessive use of “sorry” and even “thank you,” often dilutes what I have to say.
If I don’t present my words as significant, why should anyone listen?
The Strategic Communication program explores themes such as nonverbal communication and persuasion. I've found profound insights through our lectures and reading lists, especially in courses such as Kevin Visconti’s The Compelling Communicator, which encouraged us to be cognizant of how we frame our communications and how the subtext and signals accompanying our words can either strengthen or undermine our intended message.
Similarly, Professor Assaf Kedem, who led our Crisis Communication class, is the author of The Investment Writing Handbook: How to Craft Effective Communications to Investors, which highlights how meticulously crafted sentences can sway millions in investment decisions. Crafting a positive reputation with persuasive communication techniques can yield measurable results.
It’s been inspiring to hear individuals and, especially women in the program, speak of themselves positively in unabashed, unapologetic, and unironic ways. This includes articulating their worth, asking for what they deserve, and conveying the achievements or traits they are proud of. Associate Instructor Josie Cox's latest work, Women Money Power: The Rise and Fall of Economic Equality solidified my understanding of the importance of self-advocacy, particularly within the ongoing fight for gender equality in the workplace.
I've learned that authentic self-expression and celebrating one's achievements are not only acceptable but essential. By deliberating over our narratives, we can dismantle self-imposed barriers and open doors to limitless opportunities. Immersed in the lively energy of New York City and influenced by my peers and instructors, I've embraced the power of strategic communication to not only advocate for myself but also to champion those who do the same.
About the Program
The business world’s around-the-clock communications challenges are demanding a new level of strategic thinking. Columbia University’s Master of Science in Strategic Communication graduates emerge equipped with all the essential skills and tools for a successful career in a wide range of communication fields.
