What do I say to the press?
It is encouraged to have formal media training. The university offers training through UCOMM, and COE Comms can create crisis cells for in-the-moment issues that may arise. Rob in ISE can also offer media training to go over crisis communications and bridging, for example.
How do I get better at my job?
The university offers many free skill development services. Access them through REPORTER and LinkedIn Learning. UCOMM and OIT also offer specific training. External self-paced options include SuperHi and Surfaced Studio. Some ENGR communicators are members of ASEE, and attend the annual engineering communicators conference. Some departments may subsidize graduate coursework. The university offers a tuition waiver for courses at NC State. Northwestern offers an 8-week Digital Marketing Strategies graduate certificate, and UNC-Chapel Hill offers a three-semester Technology and Communication graduate certificate.
Most engineering disciplines also have national or international associations that allow department heads to network and share information. Some of these have started adding in conference tracks and groups for departmental communicators–your department head may be able to point you in the right direction (one such example is the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department Heads Association (ECEDHA), which has an active Communicators program).
What awards can I enter for my work?
As a university employee, you can participate in the Council for the Advancement of Scholastic Excellence. NC State is located in the District III/Southeast region. Categories to enter outstanding work include copywriting, website, photography, speechwriting, and graphic design.
What University Awards are available?
The penultimate NC State award for staff is the Award for Excellence. This is awarded first at the College level. Those that receive the COE Award for Excellence are nominated for the University level, who are in turn nominated for the Governor’s Award. Nominations for COE are typically in March. In the COE, you must have two years of service in Engineering to be eligible, and you may only win once.
The Pride of the WolfPack award is a quarterly award for staff who “exceptionally demonstrate NC State’s values. In COE, you must have one year of service in Engineering.