Why Get a Communications Degree?

Jobs for Communications Studies at Graduate, Associate or Bachelors

Sep 14, 2009

Getting a university communications degree leads to careers across multiple industries including the private and public sector, health care and education fields.

The field of communications is broad to include broadcasting, journalism, public relations, employee communications, social media, media design, film and photojournalism. Associate and bachelor communications studies degrees are a mainstay of colleges and universities.

Higher education in universities and colleges that results in a communications degree leads to a wide variety of positions many of which are in high demand. For example, in business, communications professionals are found as in-house magazine and publication editors and investor relations specialists.

Get a Communications Degree to Work in Advertising, Broadcasting, Journalism

In the advertising industry, those with communications degrees work as copy writers, media planners and media buyers, creative directors and media sales representatives.

A communications degree also leads to jobs in television and broadcasting as a TV or radio station broadcasting manager, community relations director, news writer, technical director, market researcher, advertising sales coordinator, disc jockey, news manager, talk show host or floor manager, to name a few.

Working as a newspaper, magazine, radio, television or social media reporter is a common field for communications majors. These graduates works in jobs such as being a reporter, editor, newscaster, copy writer, script writer, news researcher, technical writer or acquisitions editor.

Jobs with Communications Studies Degrees Include Publicists, Administrators, Researchers

Public relations is another common field for communications degree graduates who work in some of the following positions: employee communications specialist, publicity manager, advertising manager, corporate public affairs, fundraiser, media planner, news writer, public opinion researcher, account executive or media analyst.

The field of theater and performing arts has employed people who have majored in communications in jobs such as being a script writer, arts administrator, publicist and community liaison officer.

In the public service, jobs for graduates of communications studies programs include public information officers, legislative assistants, research specialists, program coordinators and elected officials.

Graduate communications degrees are popular. The U.S. Department of Education reports that the percentage of graduate communications degrees increased by more than 20% from 2001-02 to 2006-07.

Masters in Communications Studies Lead to Jobs, Higher Salaries

This popularity may result from the availability of online and distance educations communications degree programs and higher salaries associated with earning a master's degree.

Students find that gaining a master’s level degree in communications provides insights by sharpening skills, adding a depth of analytical thinking and understanding of emerging communications trends. In many cases, communications professionals work in the field for several years after earning an undergraduate degree before pursuing a masters.

In all cases, students should seek a master’s degree program in communications that allows for a degree of specialization in a field of interest. These specializations may include photojournalism, media relations, community relations or employee communications.

The trend towards people earning communications degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels will continue owing to the breadth of communications careers. Meanwhile, the market for communications graduates shows little signs of cooling.

The copyright of the article Why Get a Communications Degree? in Universities is owned by Shelley Aylesworth-Spink. Permission to republish Why Get a Communications Degree? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.