From the decisions we make as consumers to the interpersonal and organizational interactions we have at work every day, communication is at the center of our lives. The fields of business, public relations, marketing, healthcare administration, political communication, journalism, and technology are just a few of the many that are affected by the work of communicators. While a bachelor’s degree in engineering, for example, can lead you in a specific direction professionally, a degree in communications can lead you in any number of directions. A degree in communications can open doors to careers in public relations, marketing, digital or traditional media, technology, human resources, and a list of other fields.
A degree in communications can open careers door for you in any or all of these fields as long as you have an interest in them. However, it would be beneficial to understand what a communications degree is before discussing the types of careers that would be a good fit for those who have earned one.
What Does a Communications Degree Mean?
Numerous educational institutions present students with the opportunity to earn degrees in communications, with a wide range of possible specializations including media studies, public relations, strategic communications, and publishing
School of Communications courses may include Media and Public Relations, Social Media, Broadcast Writing, Digital Marketing, Advertising, Journalism, and Storytelling in Video Formats.
Individuals who choose a communications degree learn about successful communication on an interpersonal and organizational level. They typically take courses from other disciplines, including those in the social sciences and humanities, including marketing, sociology, business, media studies, and journalism.
Students of communication study how to articulate a variety of concepts in a variety of contexts. Courses on public speaking, small group dynamics, organizational discourse, and intercultural communication are standard fare in most communication degree programs. In addition, learners hone their listening abilities and acquire the ability to articulate their thoughts in a way that is both interesting and understandable as they progress through these courses.
As a result, graduates of communication programs are well-positioned to find jobs that allow them to connect with and be able to target influence audiences.
Why Pursuing a Career in Communications?
Professional communicators are great at connecting with audiences and sharing their enthusiasm. They can articulate intricate thoughts in writing and speech. The most effective communicators are those who can both listen intently and stand in front of a huge audience with complete assurance.
Communications experts are in high demand across numerous sectors for a variety of roles, including brand development, marketing, and community outreach. Some professionals choose to specialize in fields that fascinate them, such as medical writing or sports reporting.
So, if you’re thinking about a career change, consider the benefits of working in communications.
Common Careers in Communications Degree
Careers in communications are in high demand, because of the variety of opportunities it provides. Job opportunities in the field of communication are expected to increase in the future, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). And this is a result of projected market growth and the rise of social media websites. Hence, both of these factors are expected to contribute to an increase in the demand for communication workers.
Graduates in this field may find work in a variety of settings, including political speechwriters, community event organizers, and college recruiters. The list that follows delves into the different careers available to individuals with a degree in communications.
#1. Business Reporter
Business reporters cover the business world for either internet or print media. Financial news, major company announcements, economic policies, and other government news that could have an impact on businesses are all topics they cover.
They use their creative ability and nose for news and investigative and analytical strengths to dig extraordinary information out of ordinary happenings in the world of business and disseminate them to a large, scattered heterogeneous audience. They also keep the world informed about pricing, monetary policy, exchange rates as well as the activities of world banking sectors.
The median annual wage in the United States is $38,218.
#2. Public Relations Specialist
Public relations is the practice of coordinating the dissemination of a certain entity’s message to the public at large. This is commonly done to improve one’s standing in the eyes of the general public.
In the field of public relations, you might be responsible for:
- Press release writing
- Crafting the public’s perception of a company through strategic messaging directed at consumers and the media.
- Addressing the press
- Convincing tale concepts for publication in the media
- Trend analysis
- The resolution of issues following a critical situation
Salary for a public relations expert: $47,736
Social media managers play the role of formulating strategies for marketing and advertising on social media platforms. Depending on the business’s marketing objectives, they devise plans for both organic and paid advertising.
Your job as a digital media planner or social media manager may include the following:
- Running a company’s social media accounts
- Formulating a plan for digital content
- Using imagery to convey brand narratives
- Communicating with the public online
- Campaign digital strategy and analytics planning and monitoring.
The annualized median income in the United States: $50,632
#4. Copywriter
Copywriters’ key responsibilities include;
- Creating and opening brand content that serves the company’s audience and marketing objectives.
- Writing for blogs
- Drafting advertising campaigns or company slogans
- Formulating marketing emails, brochures, or event posters.
Hourly wage averages $27.08 on a national scale.
#5. Writing and Publishing
Digital media may have become the standard, but it hasn’t eliminated the need for clear and concise writing. Journalism, technical writing, book authoring, and publishing are just a few of the fields that might hire people with communications degrees because of their writing and creativity strength or skill.
Depending on your position, either as a writer or editor, you may be responsible for:
- Communications of newsworthy information using a simple, clear, concise, and accurate writing
- Organizing and editing content for optimal transmission
- Performing final edits and getting the article ready for publishing
Typical annual compensation for an editor is $59,425
#6. Media (Broadcaster/News Anchor)
The dissemination of information, whether for the aim of informing, educating, or entertaining audiences, is the primary mission of the media industry. Journalists who work as news anchors on television or other online platforms report on regional, national, and international events of significance to their audiences. They are the public’s first point of contact with a news organization, and it is their job to present information in a way that is interesting and easy to understand. There is a wide variety of work available in traditional forms of media, such as radio, television, and film.
If you work in the media, you might be entrusted with doing the following:
- Providing information through oral presentation
- Conducting interviews with prominent personalities
- Storytelling using a combination of visuals and sound
- Anchoring live programs or events.
The annual compensation of a broadcaster is $50,595
#7. Content Marketing Manager
Depending on your role, your responsibilities as a content marketing manager may involve;
- Supervision of an organization’s or function’s content offerings to their clientele or audience base. These content offerings might take the form of articles, videos, animations, or podcasts, among other types of media.
- Developing a content strategy that can be implemented across a variety of platforms, such as websites, blogs, and social media, in order to broaden a company’s communications.
All these will be done in a manner that is conducive to the accomplishment of specific marketing goals, such as increased traffic or increased product adoption.
An annual salary of $57,903 is considered to be the national average.
#8. Human Resources (HR)
Many facets of an employee’s journey through a business are managed by human resources (HR). People in human resources are there to help workers and keep morale up.
There are a variety of tasks you could be given as a human resources expert, including:
- Finding and hiring new workers
- Preparing new employees for their jobs
- Helping to reduce workplace conflict
- Taking care of employees’ health and wellbeing
- Dealing with disciplinary measures
- The process of calculating benefits
The salary for a human resource professional is $46,972 per year.
#9. Sales Expert
The ability to effectively communicate in writing and verbally is essential for any sales professional who wants to make a good impression and close sales. Sales positions can be found in many different fields, from retail to real estate to manufacturing to finance to tourism.
When working in sales, you could be responsible for:
- Promotional writing’s primary focus is on selling the good perks of a product or service.
- Building and maintaining rapport with customers
- Examining a client’s current and future requirements
- Problem-solving in response to concerns
- Using cold calling to attract new customers
Pay for a sales development rep (SDR) is $49.179 per month.
#10. Web Producer
Web producers are responsible for making sure websites deliver the best possible experience for users. They devise plans to enhance websites by, for example;
- Writing or editing new content
- Redesigning page layouts
- Reorganizing menus and buttons
- Adding or removing content
- Modifying and optimizing the site’s navigation.
The median wage in the United States is $31.04 per hour.
#11. Marketing and Advertising
Both marketing and advertising are essential to the growth and prosperity of any company. Those skilled in these areas are crucial in developing a recognizable brand, expanding a clientele, and maximizing revenue.
It’s possible that you, in your role as a marketer or advertiser, will be requested to do the following:
- Making an effort to conduct market research
- Tracking market movements
- Working in tandem with marketing, R&D, and PR
- Creating brand awareness message campaigns
- Making a material that is easy to understand and interesting to read for a variety of media
The income for a marketing manager is $69,590.
Careers in Communications and Media
In the media industry, there are many careers for a degree holder in media and communications. Whether you want to be in the spotlight or behind the scenes, there will always be opportunities as long as you have an interest in the field.
Professionals in the media and communications provide the public with information that is interesting, engaging, or informative. A wide variety of occupations can be found in the field of communication, and skilled communicators are in high demand.
Jobs for communication majors are expected to grow slowly but steadily, in line with the average for all occupations in the United States. In general, BLS projections show a 4% increase in demand for media and communication professionals between 2019 and 2029.
Some of the most promising careers in the field of media and communications include public relations, motion pictures, and radio and television sound. The demand for translators and interpreters is also expected to increase by 20% between 2019 and 2029.
However, to get a go at different careers in media and communications, you will basically need to have a bachelor’s degree. For degree holders, on the other hand, earning a master’s degree in communication will be a great way to differentiate themselves in the job market.
Media and Communications Careers
Traditionally, careers door are always opened in the media industry or related organizations for many with a degree in communication. However, there are many other potential paths to success in the communication profession. Here is a list of a few other careers you can consider in the media and communications field:
#1. Corporate Marketing
Experts in this field develop public-facing media in order to promote the overarching objectives of the company.
#2. News Outlet
This job involves producing newscasts, conducting investigations, and penning articles for internet publications in the capacity of a writer or editor
#3. Nonprofits
Communication majors are in high demand by nonprofit organizations. This is because of their ability to craft persuasive messaging that resonates with their donors.
#4. Photography
Photographers use visual language to convey ideas, whether in a fashion spread or a picture story for a charitable organization.
#5. Radio
Professionals in the radio and podcasting industries use the audio medium to amplify the spoken word and spread useful or aesthetically pleasing information or entertainment.
Careers in Communications Technology
Professionals in communications technology conduct diagnostic tests to identify issues plaguing computers. They provide organizations with assistance in maintaining their computer infrastructure. They also offer telephone assistance for consumers who are experiencing technical difficulties.
A few of the potential careers in communications technology include working as a computer user assistance professional, a computer systems administrator, or as a telecommunications equipment installer. However, all of these communications technology careers require an advanced level of computer literacy.
The primary responsibilities of computer support specialists may include;
- Diagnosing issues with users’ computers and internet connections
- Assist users in resolving any problems they may be experiencing
- Perform routine maintenance checks on computer networks to ensure that they are operating correctly.
Computer systems administrators are responsible for;
- Analyzing an organization’s current computer infrastructure
- Installing new technology as required
- Instructing workers on how to make use of the company’s hardware and software.
While installers and maintenance technicians of telecommunications equipment;
- Activate devices that transfer electronic signals over distances
- Repairing and maintaining them as needed in residential, public, and private places
- Explaining to their customers how to utilize the devices they install and fix.
List of Careers in Communications Technology
The below list shows just a few of the different careers available for individuals with a degree in communications technology;
- Systems analysts
- A computer support specialist
- Network Engineer
- Communications technician
- Computer system administrator
- Graphic designer
- Marketing Internship
- Equipment installer
Conclusion
A list of careers is open to those with a degree in communications, including but not limited to: advertising, marketing, public relations, journalism, technology, and the media.
Job opportunities in sales, health education, and human resources are just a few other examples of industries where effective communication is essential.
Communications graduates are well prepared for successful and fulfilling professions in a wide variety of fields because of the transferable skills they have acquired during their studies.
Careers in Communications FAQs
Is it a good idea to go into communications?
Graduates from the field of communications can choose from a long list of lucrative and diverse careers nowadays.
In the field of telecommunications, what kind of employment opportunities are available?
If you have a bachelor’s degree in communications technology, among the list of careers you could consider is assisting people with their computers, performing diagnostic testing, and routine maintenance on an organization’s computer system.
Is a six-figure salary possible after graduation with a degree in communications?
Consider becoming an editor if you want to make good money with a degree in communications. Even though the average yearly salary of communications professionals was slightly over $60,000, the highest-paid 10% earned over $120,000.
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