Communications Studies

Communications Career Overview

Due to the critical importance of effective communication in nearly every human endeavor, Communication Studies is among the most versatile disciplines in higher education. Studies in communications can range from a more academic investigation of rhetoric and language to more practical coursework focusing on corporate or political case-studies.

The field is very interdisciplinary in nature, and topics of study vary accordingly: linguistics, nonverbal communication, conflict management, leadership, government, and psychology, among others. As a result of the diverse areas of study encompassed by a degree in Communications, students develop a keen understanding of communication and collaboration in various kinds of aggregate human networks.

The breadth of options within Communication Studies makes pursuing a degree in communications a strategic choice for many different career paths. Graduates can expect to find employment in corporate or Non-Profit Marketing and PR, community activism, and political campaigns, as well as graduate school opportunities in rhetoric, journalism, and law. Essentially, professionals with a background in Communications can find themselves indispensable to virtually any workplace as effective leaders and communicators.

Communications Training & Education

Communication Studies focuses on the study of human communication within such contexts as interpersonal relationships, small groups, organizations, and cultures. A degree in Communications may be pursued at the Associate's, Bachelor's and Doctoral levels, and online programs abound. Certificates in Communications Studies are also available for professionals who want to add another dimension to their career or to improve their hiring prospects.

In terms of coursework, introductory courses focus on communicative skill development, while more advanced courses focus on understanding and analyzing the nature of human communication within a given context. For instance, students in an organizational communication course examine how an organization's structure affects the nature and efficiency of its interactions.

Communications Career & Salary Outlook

The cross-disciplinary nature of Communications Studies lends itself to applicability in a multitude of fields, including graduate study. Generally, Communications majors who choose to enter the workforce can expect the following organizational positions:

• Customer Service
• Management
• Human Resources
• Training and Development
• Labor Relations
• Writing/Editing
• Radio or Television Broadcasting
• Office Management

Salaries for Communications professionals can vary widely due to the wide number of potential jobs which can be held. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for Communications professionals with a bachelor's degree is $47,000, with the middle 50% earning between $35,000 and $65,000.

Career Fields/Specializations

Marketing Manager Career

The role of a Marketing Manager is to determine the most productive ways of promoting products and services offered by the company they work for. As a Marketing Manager you may be responsible for a range of diverse tasks, including analysis of market trends, identification of target markets, planning and monitoring marketing campaigns, and allocating funds and resources for different projects. You will also be responsible for managing a team of marketing employees, including both executives and assistants.

Given that your duties as a Marketing Manager are so diverse, you will also need a diverse range of skills. You will need to be able to work and communicate with both employees and clients, have excellent organizational skills, the ability to meet deadlines under pressure, and the confidence to be able to both motivate your team and sell your ideas to clients.

Becoming a Marketing Manager requires several years of marketing experience, typically first as a marketing assistant or executive, as you will need to have a mixture of marketing knowledge and management skills that can only be obtained via work experience.

Copywriter Career

Copywriters are typically involved in advertising, producing text for both written advertising and television and radio commercials. As a Copywriter you will work in a team with other writers, an art director who provides visual copy, and a creative director who is responsible for managing each project. You will work closely with the team as well as clients, to produce copy that meets each client's specific requirements. As part of an advertising team, you will be responsible for creating persuasive, accurate copy that meets advertising and broadcasting codes as well as the client's specifications.

A career in copywriting requires a variety of skills, including creativity, written and verbal communication skills, the ability to work in a team, knowledge of current culture and target markets, and the ability to work on several projects simultaneously. It is also essential to be able to cope with criticism, as clients will often ask for changes in the advertising copy you create for them. A career in copywriting typically starts with work experience as a junior copywriter, with the opportunity for promotion to a senior copywriter position, and perhaps a creative director. Many copywriters work as freelancers, rather than working solely for a single company.

Media Planner Career

As a Media Planner, your role is to work with clients in determining the most effective methods of advertising. To do this, you will work closely with your clients to establish what their advertising needs are, and research the client's target audience to determine the best way of reaching that audience via advertising. This includes not only deciding on the method of advertising to use, but also, in the case of radio and television, deciding when the advertising should be broadcast. You will also have to consider the cost of different methods of advertising so that you can come up with a media plan that fits within each client's budget.

This type of work requires a wide range of different skills, including good written and verbal communication skills, analytical skills, computer skills, the ability to work as part of a team to meet strict deadlines, and excellent interpersonal skills, including tact, confidence, persuasiveness, and a professional working manner. You will also need to have an excellent understanding of the specific advantages of different types of advertising media.

Speech Writer Career

Speech Writers work for a wide variety of people, but most often for people in positions of particular authority or power. As a Speech Writer, your role is to provide speeches that are clear and easy to understand, and meet the specifications of each client, whether they require a speech that is entertaining, serious, humorous, inspirational, or persuasive. This will typically involve meeting with each client to discuss their requirements and then researching the speech topic before you begin to write. You will prepare a draft of the speech and then meet with the client again to discuss any required changes, and continue rewriting and editing the speech until it is polished.

As a Speech Writer you will need to be creative with excellent written communication skills and have the ability to present information in a variety of different ways, depending on the needs of each client. You will also need good researching and editing skills, be able to work well with clients, and be able to meet deadlines, even when under pressure. Speech Writers are often freelance workers, so the ability to work independently is also important.