Tom Schuman
Senior VP, Communications and Operations
Indiana Chamber of Commerce
Milestones
My road in life has been direct.
Start writing about high school sports for local newspaper while a high school student.
13-year career in newspapers at various publications. A number of job and responsibility changes to continue to strive to move up the ladder -- both financially and in duties.
Extreme frustration when job became more about deadlines and corporate financial concerns than quality of the work that was being done.
Spent an extended period without a full-time job, working in various capacities to make ends meat.
Began a new, unexpected career at my current employer that has lasted nearly 20 years thus far. Allowed me to greatly expanded my role to a variety of different areas.
Education
High School
East Central
East Central
Career
Senior VP, Communications and Operations
Oversee wide variety of communications for Indiana's largest broad-based business advocacy and information association.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Journalism
Business
Communicating / Sharing Stories
Day to Day
Strategic planning of upcoming communications and organizational initiatives. Research, interviews and writing for magazine stories. Talking with associates to stay on top of organizational activities.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for everyone
Get some hands-on experience, whether volunteering or serving an internship or through other methods. Show a willingness to learn and help in any way that you can.
Recommended Education
My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Society in General:
"Journalism is a low-paying profession and the work being done is often biased."
Challenges I Overcame
Financial
