Have you ever considered a career in communications? Opportunities are everywhere, from corporate and PR firms to marketing agencies and social media companies. The best way to start is with a solid communications degree.
What careers allow you to combine your love of communication with your education? Start here.
Communications is a highly diverse career field and can be applied to a variety of jobs, varying in location and industry. This article is meant to help you find the right communications job for you depending on your preferences, location and degree. Choosing the right communications job should not only be based on skill level and salary, but also location and industry.
Careers with a degree in communications
The Communications degree is all about communication. And whether you are in a business setting, government or nonprofit, as a journalist, public relations professional, graphic or web designer, or internet marketer — your goal is to be able to communicate well with others. Communication can happen face to face, but it can also happen by phone call, skype chat or through writing such as a blog post (like this one).
Communication is an essential skill set for developing experts and the best leaders. We live in a world of technology and information overload, so being able to communicate clearly and effectively is increasingly important. Anyone can observe how indispensable “effective communication” skills are — especially in the professional environment .There are two possible pathways to achieve this skill set as a leader: earning a bachelor’s degree in communications, or gaining real-world experience (from internships, shadowing peers, etc.). Either way, the end result will be a greater ability to understand individuals and groups within the larger community — optimizing human connection and development.
People with a degree in communications generally use their skills to help solve complex problems and manage people, while also giving advice on issues related to public relations, human resources and other organizational issues. If you present your options well, you could be on the path to a managerial or executive role at a non-profit or for a private company. A master’s degree might even help you find your own non-profit organization – as chief communication officer – to guide in the search for better funding and faster growth using the latest technologies.
There are many career options available to someone who has earned a communications degree from college. While a graduate degree in communications might be required for certain jobs, it is not necessary in every instance. However, broadening your education with a second major or minor can augment your career prospects in a variety of ways. Even if you are already working in the field and have earned your degree, often it is possible to take courses online through continuing education programs, to expand your skillset and improve your employment opportunities with an advanced degree.
A communications degree is a great minor to have or you can even do 2 or 3 years of school and then decide if you want to major in communications when it comes time. Having the right skills can help you reach your goal faster and with less complication. Even if communications is not your major, there are many things that you can do if you get some experience sharpening your skills.
If you wish to work in Journalism, Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations, Filmmaking, Public Relations or Corporate Communications for a large corporation or small business, an undergraduate degree in communications that combined with classes in English and liberal arts can help you pursue your dream careers. In the corporate world, a communications major will give employers an edge over other applicants who don’t have any related experience.
Designers who know how to speak to their audience can design more effective solutions—no matter what they’re designing. In addition, communications professionals are in high demand, so if you think you might have a knack for communications, this could be the right degree for you. (Just make sure not get put off by its hefty price tag.)
