What Can You Do With A Communications Degree?

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH A -) COMMUNICATIONS DEGREE? Pursuing a degree in communications will allow you to take your career in a number of different directions. Programs are designed to help students develop both written and verbal language skills to influence people and spread ideas. CAREERS IN COMMUNICATIONS While effective communication can be applied to nearly any work environment, choosing an emphasis can help you find a job sooner after graduation. Most communication jobs fall under one of these emphases: NEWS JOURNALISM Reporter, editor, publisher, talk show host, media interviewer, photo journalist, columnist 75% BROADCASTING TV news producer, announcer, news anchor, disk jockey, sportscaster, radio programmer, broadcast technician of a person's day is spent communicating in some way. PUBLIC RELATIONS Press agent, media analyst, publicity manager, human resource administrator, public relations specialist MARKETING Sales representative, advertising campaign producer, media 69% speaking listening planner, media buyer, creative director, marketing specialist WRITING 17% reading Author, copywriter, copy editor, news writer, promotional 14% writing writer, script writer, speech writer, technical writer Time spent DIGITAL MEDIA communicating as a college student Audiovisual specialist, film editor, graphic designer, video engineer, web designer, digital director SALARY OUTLOOK IN COMMUNICATIONS According to PayScale.com, the average starting median pay for a Communications graduate was $38,000, rising to $66,900 mid-career. The figures below are taken from the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Average Salary Top 10% Marketing Managers 122k > 166k Public Relations and Fundraising Managers 104k > 166k Advertising and Promotions Managers 98k > 166k Broadcast News Analyst 72k 146k Post-secondary Communications Teachers 68k 113k Technical Writer 66k 101k Writers and Authors 66k 109k Film editor 62k 112k Editor 59k 97k Public Relations Specialists 59k 95k Librarian 55k 84k Sound Engineering Technician 54k 93k Court Reporter 53k 91k Language Specialists / Interpreters 49k 86k Camera Operator 48k 81k Executive Secretaries and Administrative Assistants 46k 67k Radio Operator 45k 69k Audio Visual Technician 44k 74k News reporters and correspondents 44k 75k Advertising sales agents 43k 94k Broadcast Technician 41k 72k Radio and Television Announcers 40k 73k Desktop Publishers 39k 59k Event Announcers and DJs 38k 70k Office Clerks 28k 42k $10k $20k $30k $40k $50k $60k $70k $80k $90k $100k $110k $120k $130k $140k $150k $160k $170k GETTING A JOB IN COMMUNICATIONS Even with a clear goal in mind, finding the right job following graduation can prove challenging. Use this list to help spark some ideas and guide you on your career path. 1. Compile a portfolio Many employers value your portfolio just as much as your degree. Present your best samples of writing, graphics, or other creative developments as professionally as possible. 2. Participate in debates Participating in debates at school, within your community, or in local politics is a great exercise in persuasion and pragmatic communication. 3. Apply for an internship An internship will help you gauge what kind of work you want to be doing. It will also serve as great piece on your résumé, and give you the experience you need without committing to a full-time job. 4. Volunteer Like internships, volunteer work lets you experience a line of work first-hand without being hired. Be an extra in a film, shadow your mentor at work, or find a way to give back to the community. 5. Network Connect with people in your chosen field. Attend seminars, workshops, and conferences. Don't just pass out business cards, but really get to know people. Come prepared with good questions and expect good advice. 6. Use Social Media Another important way to connect with people is through Twitter, Facebook, and other social networks. Follow industry thought leaders, join discussions, and start your own. Don't get caught up in followers: quality > quantity. 7. Master Public Speech Whether you're addressing a crowd of 10 or 10,000, the ability to communicate your thoughts with confidence and creativity will set you apart as a competent contributor and leader. Practice, practice, practice! 8. Write No matter what path you decide to take your career, your ability to write will play a crucial part in your capacity to or poorly structured communicate. Bad grammar arguments could damage your credibility, or worse. 9. Learn Computer Proficiency Having a solid grasp of word processing, presentation, and spreadsheet software along with the ability to comfortably navigate the web and multiple operating systems will serve you well in nearly any profession. IS A DEGREE WORTH IT? 78% of those who answered a PayScale.com survey said the skills and knowledge they acquired from their undergraduate major were important or very important in their current careers. Get started today at DegreeSearch.org. Careers in Mass Communication http://www.ehow.com/about_4704057_careers-mass-communications.html Best Undergrad College Degrees by Salary http://www.payscale.com/best-colleges/degrees.asp Sources BLS: Occupational Outlook Handbook http://www.bls.gov/oco/oco1002.htm#media Journal of the Association for Communication Administration 29(2000), 1-25 Why Communication is Important: A Rationale for the Centrality. http://www.natcom.org Commmunications/PR - Jobs, Best Degrees & Schools for a Career in Communication/PR http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703453804575480203442764376.html presented by DegreeSearch.org WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH A COMMUNICATIONS DEGREE? Pursuing a degree in communications will allow you to take your career in a number of different directions. Programs are designed to help students develop both written and verbal language skills to influence people and spread ideas. CAREERS IN COMMUNICATIONS While effective communication can be applied to nearly any work environment, choosing an emphasis can help you find a job sooner after graduation. Most communication jobs fall under one of these emphases: NEWS JOURNALISM Reporter, editor, publisher, talk show host, media interviewer, photo journalist, columnist 75% BROADCASTING TV news producer, announcer, news anchor, disk jockey, sportscaster, radio programmer, broadcast technician of a person's day is spent communicating in some way. PUBLIC RELATIONS Press agent, media analyst, publicity manager, human resource administrator, public relations specialist MARKETING Sales representative, advertising campaign producer, media 69% speaking listening planner, media buyer, creative director, marketing specialist WRITING 17% reading Author, copywriter, copy editor, news writer, promotional 14% writing writer, script writer, speech writer, technical writer Time spent DIGITAL MEDIA communicating as a college student Audiovisual specialist, film editor, graphic designer, video engineer, web designer, digital director SALARY OUTLOOK IN COMMUNICATIONS According to PayScale.com, the average starting median pay for a Communications graduate was $38,000, rising to $66,900 mid-career. The figures below are taken from the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Average Salary Top 10% Marketing Managers 122k > 166k Public Relations and Fundraising Managers 104k > 166k Advertising and Promotions Managers 98k > 166k Broadcast News Analyst 72k 146k Post-secondary Communications Teachers 68k 113k Technical Writer 66k 101k Writers and Authors 66k 109k Film editor 62k 112k Editor 59k 97k Public Relations Specialists 59k 95k Librarian 55k 84k Sound Engineering Technician 54k 93k Court Reporter 53k 91k Language Specialists / Interpreters 49k 86k Camera Operator 48k 81k Executive Secretaries and Administrative Assistants 46k 67k Radio Operator 45k 69k Audio Visual Technician 44k 74k News reporters and correspondents 44k 75k Advertising sales agents 43k 94k Broadcast Technician 41k 72k Radio and Television Announcers 40k 73k Desktop Publishers 39k 59k Event Announcers and DJs 38k 70k Office Clerks 28k 42k $10k $20k $30k $40k $50k $60k $70k $80k $90k $100k $110k $120k $130k $140k $150k $160k $170k GETTING A JOB IN COMMUNICATIONS Even with a clear goal in mind, finding the right job following graduation can prove challenging. Use this list to help spark some ideas and guide you on your career path. 1. Compile a portfolio Many employers value your portfolio just as much as your degree. Present your best samples of writing, graphics, or other creative developments as professionally as possible. 2. Participate in debates Participating in debates at school, within your community, or in local politics is a great exercise in persuasion and pragmatic communication. 3. Apply for an internship An internship will help you gauge what kind of work you want to be doing. It will also serve as great piece on your résumé, and give you the experience you need without committing to a full-time job. 4. Volunteer Like internships, volunteer work lets you experience a line of work first-hand without being hired. Be an extra in a film, shadow your mentor at work, or find a way to give back to the community. 5. Network Connect with people in your chosen field. Attend seminars, workshops, and conferences. Don't just pass out business cards, but really get to know people. Come prepared with good questions and expect good advice. 6. Use Social Media Another important way to connect with people is through Twitter, Facebook, and other social networks. Follow industry thought leaders, join discussions, and start your own. Don't get caught up in followers: quality > quantity. 7. Master Public Speech Whether you're addressing a crowd of 10 or 10,000, the ability to communicate your thoughts with confidence and creativity will set you apart as a competent contributor and leader. Practice, practice, practice! 8. Write No matter what path you decide to take your career, your ability to write will play a crucial part in your capacity to or poorly structured communicate. Bad grammar arguments could damage your credibility, or worse. 9. Learn Computer Proficiency Having a solid grasp of word processing, presentation, and spreadsheet software along with the ability to comfortably navigate the web and multiple operating systems will serve you well in nearly any profession. IS A DEGREE WORTH IT? 78% of those who answered a PayScale.com survey said the skills and knowledge they acquired from their undergraduate major were important or very important in their current careers. Get started today at DegreeSearch.org. Careers in Mass Communication http://www.ehow.com/about_4704057_careers-mass-communications.html Best Undergrad College Degrees by Salary http://www.payscale.com/best-colleges/degrees.asp Sources BLS: Occupational Outlook Handbook http://www.bls.gov/oco/oco1002.htm#media Journal of the Association for Communication Administration 29(2000), 1-25 Why Communication is Important: A Rationale for the Centrality. http://www.natcom.org Commmunications/PR - Jobs, Best Degrees & Schools for a Career in Communication/PR http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703453804575480203442764376.html presented by DegreeSearch.org