Meet Grace Okogwu, a Strategic Corporate Communications generalist with a passion for driving business success through impactful storytelling and media. With a combined four years of support communications and three years of core communications experience, she has worked across the energy, media production, tech, and supply chain industries. Currently, she is a Corporate Communications Analyst at TREXM Holdings, an indigenous company operating across the energy and industrial value chain.
What does a typical workday look like for you?
I usually start my day early, especially when I’m working from the office. At the start of every week, I already have a broad sense of my main objectives for the week. On Sunday evenings, I break down my weekly goals into specific tasks. That way, by Monday morning, I already know what I’m focusing on.
Of course, I don’t complete everything in one day. I pick up from where I left off the previous day, while also attending to unexpected tasks that may come up. When I get to the office, I don’t jump straight into work, I like to walk around, greet colleagues, joke around, and take pictures when I feel extra fly.
Once I settle in, my work varies, it could be meetings, video shoots, brainstorming sessions, or stakeholder discussions. These activities help me move closer to my weekly goals. I always take a lunch break, and then I close out for the day. That’s pretty much my routine.
Do you have any specific routines or habits that help you prepare for work?
Yes! I’m very faith-driven, so my mornings always start with prayer and meditation. This time helps me reflect on my personal life and work. Interestingly, I often get reminders and inspiration during prayer, like a mental checklist of things I need to do, such as emails I forgot to send or follow-ups I need to make.
I’m also trying to incorporate exercise into my mornings because I know it helps with energy levels. Another thing that preps me for the day is socialising with colleagues when I get to the office. Since I often need their help, whether for videos or interviews, building that rapport makes collaboration easier.
Oh, and I always have a bottle of hot water! It keeps me alert. I’m not a coffee person, so hot water or another hot beverage does the trick for me. And music, I love listening to music while working. It helps set the mood and keeps me focused.
What tools or applications contribute most to your productivity, and why are they valuable?
It depends on my tasks, but here are some of my go-to tools:
- Email: I prefer Gmail over Outlook, maybe because I’ve used it the longest.
- Communication: WhatsApp is essential for quick interactions with my team, and I use Microsoft Teams for official meetings.
- Content & Design: Canva is a lifesaver for quick designs.
- Writing & Structure: I use ChatGPT when I need to structure my thoughts or refine ideas.
- Marketing & Campaigns: I use LinkedIn a lot and leverage platforms like Zoho Campaigns for email marketing and newsletters.
- Google Suite: Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and even PowerPoint help me organize and present my work.
If you weren’t working in Communications, what career path would you explore?
Probably law, acting, or international relations.
My dad actually wanted me to study law, but I wasn’t interested. If not law, I would have explored international relations since I studied French and German. Acting was also a big passion of mine, I was the deputy president of my secondary school drama club. I still have a soft spot for acting, though.
What’s your favorite way to relax after work?
Watching YouTube movies, having meaningful conversations with friends, sleeping, and hanging out, especially anywhere with good food!
I love deep conversations, but they don’t always have to be serious. Sometimes, just chatting about random things with people I feel comfortable with is so relaxing. If I’m not talking, I’m probably watching a movie or sleeping.
