This monthly series gives you a behind-the-scenes look at A Day in the Life of a Comms Professional.
Meet Nelson Komba, the Communications and Alumni Manager at Generation Kenya and a serial volunteer. Nelson spends free time contributing to projects at PMI Kenya and the Mastercard Foundation Alumni Network. In his interview with us, he takes us through his day sharing some details about his routines and his outlook on AI tools. Beyond his love for communications, he stays open to learning about other fields and takes time to enjoy his hobbies.
What does a typical workday look like for you?
My typical day involves planning our communication activities, supporting event needs, and ensuring strong visibility across all touchpoints. I work closely with the team to confirm that brand materials are ready, review copies for our social media platforms, and keep the content calendar updated.
I also meet with different teams to understand their priorities and ensure our internal communication is well coordinated so everyone has the information and support they need. The role combines content creation, people management, and brand alignment.
As a Communications professional, I take the lead in shaping the narrative behind our work. I focus on what I want the audience to understand from each piece of content and study their behaviour to ensure the message resonates.
I oversee production to make sure every item is well executed and follows our guidelines. It is all about keeping the message aligned with the audience and telling a consistent story that delivers impact.
Engaging with people who may not know me personally but recognise the work and take an interest in it has been exciting and refreshing.
Do you have any specific routines or habits that help you prepare for work?
I do a lot of running, usually two to three kilometres, sometimes up to seven kilometres, to stay fit.
I try to reduce my sugar intake, drink plenty of water in the morning, and eat bananas to stay sharp and maintain energy throughout the day. These are some of my morning routines.
What tools or apps do you use most often in your job, and why?
I am a creative, so I mostly use Adobe Creative Suite products. They help me produce designs that align with our brand and meet our standards. I use Illustrator for design work and Photoshop to enhance images. Adobe Creative Suite is my go-to tool almost every day.
I am also a storyteller. I do not rely on GPT to write stories for me. I believe in writing naturally because there are nuances and insights that come through in human writing that AI can struggle to capture. I may use tools for proofreading, but for storytelling, I stick to the natural approach.
If you weren’t in communications, what career path would you explore?
I have a few career paths I could explore. I am PMP certified, so I could manage projects and programmes. I also enjoy photography, particularly in a communications context.
Research is another area I enjoy, as well as mentoring young people who are finding their path in this space. These are some of the things I would focus on if I were not in full-time communications.
What’s your favourite way to relax after work?
I like to unwind in ways that keep me both active and refreshed. Most often, I play chess to exercise my mind and stay sharp.
Running is my favourite hobby. It gives me a chance to step away from my phone and laptop, clear my head, and recharge. I do not watch many films, though I sometimes listen to music. Overall, running and mind games help me feel energised and ready for the next day.
