Julie Skogheim
Julie has broad communications expertise, with experience in digital communications, media management, internal communications, branding and change communications. In addition, she has experience developing and implementing communications and marketing strategies for both large and small businesses.
Prior to joining CC, Julie worked as a communications consultant at Snøhetta, where she led the work on internal communications, among other responsibilities.
With an MBA and a Master in Communication from IE Business School in Madrid, a Bachelor in Economics and Management from HU in the Netherlands, as well as a semester at UP in Guadalajara, Mexico, Julie has experience working across disciplines and cultures.
Julie is passionate about diversity in the workplace, and sits on the Board of Directors of the IE International Women’s Board. While she now advocates for the role of women in the workplace, she chose a relatively gender-split sport at a young age. She won silver in the Cheerleading World Championship of 2011. Now she mostly skis and runs. In addition, she is hooked on Sudoku.
"I’m still in touch with many of the people I met at IE, and they’re a great support both personally and professionally."
Q&A WITH JULIE
What three words would you use to describe an IE alumni.
Versatile, engaged, and open-minded
Could you tell us about the application process and your role at Corporate Communications AS?
Curious to explore the agency side of communications, I reached out to a contact in my network, who works at Corporate Communications, to learn more about the way of work and to familiarize myself with the industry. A few months later I was invited in for a first interview. Two interviews and a case test later, I was offered a job as an advisor, which I accepted gladly!
As an Advisor, I work with a wide range of clients on different communications challenges, from creating communication strategies to running social media accounts.
Tell us about the day in the life of an Advisor at Corporate Communications AS.
I have yet to have two identical days in this job! I’ll typically work on a handful of different projects in a day, meaning it could start with writing a press release, followed by a client meeting, then creating a social media strategy, before ending the day with a presentation training.
How did your experience at IE prepare you for your professional career?
Each project I work on is like being back in an IE class. The subjects have been highly relevant for the job I have at the moment and learning to work with people from all over the world is useful when you work with new people every day.
What is the competitive advantage that studying at IE provided you?
Perhaps not the most original answer, but the diversity of the IE student body is really a competitive edge. Not just learning to work with people of different backgrounds than myself, but learning to listen to and understand different perspectives.
Do you have any advice for IE students and alumni who are looking to pursue a career in Communications?
Explore! There are so many ways you can work with communications. You can work in-house or with an agency. You can work very creatively bridging over to design, or a completely different direction. I work a lot with financial communications, for example, which is quite different than working for an ad agency. You need to try out different directions to understand what you enjoy the most!
What skills do you consider are needed to succeed in your field?
I believe a balance of creativity and structure is important. You need to use creativity to create good communications, but you also need to communicate in a language that top management will understand.
Tell us about the IE alumni community and the impact they have had in your life and/or career.
I’m still in touch with many of the people I met at IE, and they’re a great support both personally and professionally. I’m also happy to see that the network keeps on expanding after going back home – there’s so much engagement and initiative in the IE alumni community!
Why do you think it’s important to engage with the IE alumni community?
I think it’s easy to fall into old patterns and ways of seeing things, and staying engaged with the community gives you the opportunity to keep on widening your horizon and perspectives.
What skills would you recommend job seekers develop in order to make them more competitive in today’s workforce?
Specifically for communications, I think having a good handle of data analytics and measurement is a huge advantage.
What’s the best career advice you have ever been given?
It doesn’t hurt to ask. In my experience, things tend to work out once you take initiative. Most of the time, all you need to do is to ask.
If someone was considering going to IE, what would you tell them?
Go for it! It’ll be worth it.
Why did you choose the Dual Degree IMBA and MCMC programs at IE University?
I had a BBA but ended up working with communications prior to starting the masters. I wanted to continue strengthening my skillset in the crossing between business and communications.
What is one thing you wished you knew, when you were a student?
I wish I learned about the meditation room in MM31 earlier – a nap there can do wonders!