When you’re just starting out in communications, it’s easy to believe the things you’ve heard from people in the industry, or worse, from people who’ve never worked in it.
The truth is a lot of the “rules” floating around are outdated, overblown, or just plain wrong. And if you believe them, they can hold you back from taking action.
Here are some of the biggest myths about starting a comms career and the truth behind them:
1: You need a degree in communications to succeed.
A formal education in communications can certainly be valuable, but it’s not the only ticket into the field. Communications is a results-driven discipline where skills, creativity, and measurable impact often outweigh academic credentials.
Many successful professionals have entered from other backgrounds like engineering, teaching, law, marketing, or even customer service. What truly matters is your ability to:
- Understand your audience and their needs
- Craft clear, compelling messages that resonate
- Deliver those messages effectively across the right channels
If you can write clearly, think strategically, and adapt your style for different audiences, you already have the foundation to thrive. Programs like The Comms Accelerator exist precisely to help you build and sharpen those skills so you can hit the ground running.
2. You must start in PR or marketing before moving into other areas.
Communications is broader than PR and marketing. You can start in internal comms, social media, crisis management, corporate storytelling, or even public affairs. There’s no “one right starting point”; your entry role should fit your strengths and career goals.
3. You need years of experience to be taken seriously
This is where transferable skills come into play. Employers value experience, yes! But they also value the ability to apply what you’ve learned in other roles. Skills like stakeholder management, strategic thinking, client relations, project coordination, and persuasive writing are all highly relevant in communications.
Your job is to reframe these abilities in a way that shows employers how they translate into impact in a comms role.
4. It’s all about press releases and events
The profession has evolved far beyond traditional media relations. Today, it’s about shaping narratives across digital platforms, leveraging data to refine messaging, and fostering engagement with diverse audiences.
Modern communications involves:
- Content strategy and campaign planning
- Social listening and community engagement
- Analytics and performance measurement
- Digital storytelling through multimedia formats
- Aligning brand voice with business objectives
If you’re comfortable with technology, creative problem-solving, and fast-changing trends, you’re already positioned for success in today’s comms landscape.
The biggest barrier to starting a communications career is often the story you tell yourself about why you can’t. The truth is, you don’t need the “perfect” background to get started; you just need the right mindset, a commitment to building practical, in-demand skills, and guidance from people who’ve walked the path before you. And all of this can start with the Comms Accelerator Course. You can take the first step here.
Once you let go of these myths, you’ll see that opportunities in communications are not just possible, they’re waiting for you.
