What is a communications major?
A communications
degree is all about learning how to communicate information effectively.
Good communication is essential in all industries, helping to sell products to
the public, maintain strong relationships with investors, clients and
customers, and to make sure everyone within and outside the business are
operating on the same page.
Your communications degree will build awareness of how to
convey information to diverse audiences effectively, with specific business
goals in mind. Strong communication skills are invaluable in order to provide
meaning and resonance to the companies’ aims, and to present the company and
its services or products in the best (and clearest) possible way to consumers,
clients and colleagues.
What jobs can I get with a communications degree?
Here we look at a selection of more typical jobs in
communications; from HR departments to the world of advertising – these are the
typical roles where your communication skills are most in need.
1. Communications careers in business
With communications playing such a key role in any business
or organization, a communications degree is a great way to enter the business
world. Regardless of product or industry, entry-level communications roles will
require you to demonstrate strong written and oral communication and
presentation skills, along with knowledge of how a business functions across
departments. There is also the potential for career development into executive,
managerial and training roles after gaining some experience.
2. Communications careers in human resources
A key department of any large business, human resources is
vital for developing and maintaining worker ethics, performance and motivation.
Your role as a communications graduate is likely to be in providing the right
information at the right time to the right people within the company. You may
be involved in recruiting new staff, raising awareness about training or
professional development programs, or ensuring company guidelines and
regulations are clearly communicated. Communications careers in this area will
benefit from an aptitude for nurturing relationships and communicating well
with many different types of people.
3. Communications careers in marketing, public relations and advertising
Marketing, public relations and advertising are three more
great fields you can enter with a communications degree, delivering effective
written and oral communication to consumers, colleagues or clients. This could
be in the form of press releases, advertising scripts, company presentations and
print campaigns, as well as attendance at media events and the ongoing
development of professional relationships with clients and the media.
4. Communications careers in media
Media jobs with a communications degree are extensive – as
you’d expect, since the main aims of the media sector are to communicate
information and provide entertainment.
Whether you’re interested in becoming involved with TV and film
production, magazine and newspaper journalism, or online and digital channels,
media careers all require graduates with excellent communication skills, and
the ability to curate and disseminate information in engaging and relevant
ways.
Media is, however, a very competitive industry, and it’s
unlikely (though not impossible) that you will be hired by a big media
corporation such as the BBC or the Huffington Post straight after graduation.
Relevant work experience is essential, so those interested in entering the
media world should consider undertaking internships or getting involved in
student media productions while still studying, to increase their chances of
getting a related role upon graduation. Those interested in journalism may also
consider building a portfolio of their own journalistic work and/or gaining a
relevant postgraduate degree.
Less typical careers in communications
What can you do with a communications degree if you don’t
want to go into the typical careers outlined above? Read on for a selection of
less typical jobs with a communications degree, from film producer to legal
secretary. Bear in mind that this is not an exhaustive list; communications
graduates are sought-after in almost any industry you can think of!
5. Communications careers in digital media
The digital media industry is reshaping the way society
consumes media and information. Online news sites, social networks and digital
technologies are all areas of the industry continuing to expand, leading to
significant increases in job opportunities for those with a combination of
communication skills and digital proficiency.
If you’re interested in a media career but concerned about
the longevity of print media, digital media is the way to go! This expanding
field incorporates careers in journalism, video production, web design, social
media and online publishing, to name but a few – and more roles are appearing
as technologies and audience behavior continue to evolve.
6. Communications careers in law
Although most people entering the legal industry do so with
a postgraduate qualification or specialized law degree, communications graduates
may be interested in pursuing administrative and organizational roles, working
for local or national civil and criminal courts or even governmental and
independent legal firms. For example, legal secretary roles and paralegal roles
are often held by communications graduates. An undergraduate communications
degree could also be a great starting point from which to apply to law school.
However, if you do not wish to gain further qualifications
there is a limit to your advancement in this industry, due to the requirements
for roles such as a solicitor or barrister. Depending on the hiring company,
however, there may be the possibility of gaining some additional qualifications
while you work.
7. Communications careers in education
Another option is education, where your communication skills
will certainly be needed daily! To be hired within primary or secondary
education, you’ll need a teaching qualification. Depending on the country you
want to work in, this will take at least a year to obtain. For tertiary
education, at institutions such as colleges and universities, it is more likely
that you’ll need a postgraduate qualification in a related specialization in
order to teach.
