Here's how you can juggle continuing education and a full-time job in strategic communications.

Balancing ongoing education with a full-time career in strategic communications necessitates efficient time management and prioritisation. Use an organised timetable to give particular time intervals for study and professional duties with flexibility.

When balancing a full-time job with continuing education, planning becomes your best ally. Start by mapping out your course schedule and deadlines, then align it with your work calendar. Look ahead for potential conflicts and plan how to manage them. Strategic communications is about anticipating needs and crafting messages accordingly; apply these principles to your personal schedule. Communicate with your employer about your educational pursuits—they may offer flexibility or support for your professional development. This proactive approach ensures you stay on top of both commitments effectively.

Life-long learning is a social megatrend, that implies we must be in continuous preparation. You need to invest in your continual education if you want to keep relevant, specially in the area of communication strategy. Then be mindful about what do you want to learn, there are several courses, workshops, postgraduate programs, that are really interesting, but think about how a specific program could be useful for you. Always have in mind an objective: Why I am studying this? How this is going to be useful? If you have your educational goals clear it would be easier to craft a time balance strategy. In my experience I had balanced the study of a Master degree and a PhD degree while having a full-time job, go ahead, you can do it!

As someone in Strategic Communications, you already have the best tools at your disposal to get buy-in from your boss and company for continuing education. Firstly, you must formulate a plan for reskilling/upskilling that will make a tangible difference in your direct value to the business. This might be substantive business learnings or learning a new tech tool, building a new tech stack or building an entire strategic Comms program, depending on the situation. Bottom line, once you have a plan, use your skills to proactively communicate with your boss and company. Present the ROI, show it won’t affect your daily work, show your roadmap and ask for their buy-in and support. The reception will then be more likely to be positive.

Education is no longer in the classroom or requires attendance, on the contrary, it is now via the Internet. Therefore, there is no problem in balancing work and study so that there is no conflict.

In strategic communications, prioritizing is key to delivering the right message at the right time. Similarly, when managing work and education, you must prioritize tasks. Identify which assignments and projects require immediate attention and which can wait. Utilize tools like to-do lists or digital planners to track responsibilities. Focus on high-priority items during peak productivity times to ensure you stay on top of both your job and studies. This approach helps you manage your workload effectively, maintaining balance and efficiency in both areas.

First and foremost, you must correctly prioritize your education and full-time work to avoid being overwhelmed and burned out. The learning process should bring pleasure, not a feeling you are not coping.

As a full-time grad student, a comms consultant and a soon-to-be teaching assistant, I've found that leveraging learning across all aspects -- from work to school, and school to work -- is key. Applying current, real-life examples to theory encourages topical and lively discussion and understanding in the classroom. And basing research projects, case studies and papers on key areas of your work, and sharing the learnings, can help inform comm strategy and projects at work.

Strategic communications thrives on continuous learning and application. Leverage your continuing education by directly applying new knowledge in your workplace. This not only reinforces your learning but also demonstrates its value to your employer. Share insights from your coursework that could benefit current projects or strategies, creating a symbiotic relationship between your education and your job. By integrating learning and working, you enhance both your professional growth and the effectiveness of your team.

For me, it was several things. Commute by mass transit so I could study or sleep if needed. Work for an employer who didn't challenge or trust me ( which is why I went to grad school in the first place) so that my job wasn't draining. Skip any unnecessary schoolwork; for me, it was the video lectures which just repeated the textbook. Also, being a single, childless renter helped. I have no idea how the working parents with mortgages in my cohort pulled it off. Hats off to them!

Leverage Flexible Learning Options: Enroll in online courses or evening classes that fit your work schedule. Look for programs offering asynchronous learning, allowing you to study at your own pace and keep your schedules well organised so the times wouldn't clash.

Effective time management is crucial for strategic communicators juggling multiple projects and deadlines. Apply these skills to balance work and education by creating a structured schedule that allocates specific time blocks for studying, attending classes, and completing assignments. Be disciplined in following this schedule while allowing flexibility for unexpected work demands or extended study sessions. This structured yet adaptable approach ensures you stay on top of both your professional and educational commitments efficiently.

As well as seeking support, it's important to be your own support. Nothing is more powerful than self-motivation and resilience. This doesn't mean that we have to put up with all the pressure, but it does mean that we realise the challenge, we know how to separate our profession and studies from our personal life and from there we organise ourselves to take time out to look after ourselves (exercise, socialise, do a hobby, eat healthily, meditate, etc.).

Don't be afraid to let your colleagues know that you are looking for opportunities to grow and improve your skills. Your initiative may receive additional support and establish communication within the team.

Never underestimate the importance of self-care, especially in the face of overwhelming demands. Engaging in physical activity at the end of the day can significantly reduce stress levels and rejuvenate your mind and body, contributing to overall strength and health. Journaling is another effective method to clear your mind, set goals, and prioritize tasks. Additionally, finding ways to relax is crucial for maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Constant communication can be stressful, making it essential to rest and recharge.

I think you have to first see continuing your education as an investment of time that’s worth it to you. Once you commit to that, make sure your team, leader, and colleagues you work closely with all know about your commitment so they can help support you as you protect the time you’ve dedicated to learning.