When I boarded my flight to Nashville, Tennessee, for my first NCMPR District 2 conference, I expected to leave the conference with a notebook full of notes and ideas. What I didn’t expect was to leave with something much more: confidence.
I have been a communications specialist for a little over a year now. And as someone who works in communications, I’m very comfortable working behind the scenes. Give me a story to write, a student event to cover or a social media idea to complete, and I’m there. But sometimes putting myself out there, speaking up in a room with well-established communicators and building new professional relationships can be intimidating. Impostor syndrome at its finest.
My nervousness and excitement grew on the way to the conference, not knowing what to expect or who I would meet. I remember giving myself a pep talk before the Medallion Awards dinner: “You got this Alyssa. Get yourself out there.”
Let’s just say all that overthinking was unnecessary.
From the dinner to all the conference sessions, I felt welcomed with open arms. Being in a space with communicators who understood the same challenges, work and ideas as me took away my shyness. I felt heard and seen.
I still remember my first conversation at the dinner table, a casual conversation about the joy (ugh!) of seeing AI flyers invade our campuses.
That first conversation set the tone for the rest of the conference, which ran Sept. 30 to Oct. 2.
Lessons from my favorite sessions
Of all the sessions I attended, two stood out to me the most. The first presentation that resonated with me was “From Order Taker to Strategic Partner.” This session challenged communicators to stop automatically saying “yes” to every request that comes their way and instead think strategically about where their time and energy are best spent.
At first, I found myself thinking, “Well, that’s easier said than done.”
So many of us got into this field wanting to help people. We want to support students and colleagues and cover every event possible for our institutions. But the session made me realize that constantly saying “yes” can prevent us from being impactful in our work. Being strategic is not about being unhelpful; it’s understanding that priorities and creating goals for projects make the biggest difference. That message stuck with me because I know I’ve been guilty of saying “yes” to everything.
Another session that left an impression on me was “Stop Waiting for the Story: Building Relationships That Bring It to You.” As someone whose job revolves around storytelling, I knew I had to attend.
The presenters spoke about the importance of building authentic relationships across your campus. The idea was simple: If people know you, trust you and understand the type of stories you’re looking for, they’ll bring those stories to you.
It sounds obvious, but it was a reminder I needed. Too many times, I find myself waiting for a story to be assigned to me. This session influenced me to be more proactive. Get out of my office. Introduce myself to different departments. Ask questions. Get to know students outside of formal interviews.
Building strong relationships doesn’t just create better stories, it creates trust.
As I reflect on the sessions I attended, I realize there’s a common theme: confidence.
Having the confidence to speak up. Confidence to build relationships outside my team. Confidence to ask questions. Confidence to set boundaries when necessary.
What I learned and realized is what made this experience so meaningful.
The confidence I gained during the conference has stayed with me. From hallway conversations at Wake Tech to asking fellow NCMPR members if we could exchange ideas about engaging storytelling, each interaction pushed me a little further outside my comfort zone.
Sometimes professional development isn’t just about learning a new skill. Sometimes it’s about recognizing your strengths or weaknesses and finding the confidence to grow. As I continue my career in communications, that is a lesson I will carry with me long after the I file away the conference notes.
Alyssa Thorpe is the communications specialist at Wake Tech Community College in North Carolina.
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