Lindenburg's Words of Wisdom

Keith Lindenburg, the chairman of the College of Charleston's Department of Communication Advisory Council, spoke in our class this past Friday sharing key advice for future communication scholars.

The advisory board is compiled of a wide variety of communication professionals, with the purpose of mentoring communication undergraduates in choosing a career and exploring the different communication fields.

Lindenburg has excelled in corporate communications for almost 30 years and has worked in many different settings. He previously served as managing director for Deloitte, a national public relations company. According to the council's website, "In his role, Keith led the external communications function in the U.S., including media relations crisis communications, and executive eminence." Throughout his career he worked in PR, corporate communication, strategic planning, reputation managements, executive counsel, business development and internal and external communications.

From his many years of expertise, Lindenburg shared valuable words of wisdom for our class for those who are seeking a profession in communications. He touched upon three major points.

Lindenburg said "The first thing you should do is develop a relationship with your clients, relationships are the number one and most important thing in communications, you must network yourself. 

The second point that I think is very important is the ability to tell and write a story. Also, to be able to create your own by line...The third key element is to have interpersonal skills. Create and learn to have an elevator pitch. Ask yourself what can you do for the company?"

Lindenburg honed in on these three major point throughout the majority of his talk. He also gave other small valuable pieces of advice, for instance, "Do your research and distance yourself from the other competitors; have passsion". Passion was a key element to success in Lindenburg's eyes because he would much rather higher someone with natural ability and talent, than someone who looked impressive on paper.

Towards the end of his presentation many students had asked what little steps we should be taking at this moment he responded with, "Linkedin". Linkedin would not only help us right now, but to create future contacts.

Lindenburg's words of wisdom not only benefited future communication applicants, but young professionals as a whole. The advisory council at the College of Charleston is an impressive aspect of the communication department that every communication major should take advantage of.