Benefits of a Communication Arts and Sciences Degree

Careers in the Field of Communication

Careers in Fields Related to Communication

Web site created by IST Students Tim Tanner, Terry Stoner, and Jeff Baughman
Pennsylvania State University © 2003

Careers in the Field of Communication

ADVERTISING

According to Bruce Vandenburg of Michigan State University, “Advertising is a field that demands good oral and written communication skills. Someone who plans a career in advertising should be a people person.” Obtaining a degree in advertising includes learning about the research involved in developing advertising strategies, how advertising campaigns are produced, how marketing plays into advertising, and, of course, related computer skills.

Advertising programs are typically housed with journalism or mass communication departments, although they may be a part of a communication or business program.

Careers in advertising include:

Communication subjects that can enhance an advertising career include:

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COMMUNICATION EDUCATION

Communication educators are hired at all educational levels—elementary and secondary schools, community colleges, colleges and universities. Most communication faculty members are found at the collegiate level.

To teach communication in an elementary or secondary school you need to obtain certification. Each state has its own regulations, but almost all require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in the field you will be teaching.

Becoming an instructor at the college level usually requires a doctoral degree, though some community colleges will hire a candidate with a master’s degree. Community colleges tend to prefer graduates who have a general communication degree so they can teach a variety of courses. Four-year institutions, especially research and graduate level universities, prefer candidates trained in a specific area, such as organizational communication, rhetoric and public address, or interpersonal communication.

One question often asked by students is, “What are the job opportunities at the college level for teaching communication?” According to a study, “more than 80 percent of those institutions currently advertising for new faculty to fill communication positions prefer or demand the Ph.D. However, only half the number needed to fill those vacancies will be available in the years ahead. . . These trends will be more severely felt in the communications discipline than in many other academic fields, because Ph.D. production in communication per undergraduate to be served has been declining steadily for a number of years.”

Careers in communication education include:

Communication subjects that can enhance a career in communication education include:

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ELECTRONIC MEDIA/RADIO-TELEVISION/BROADCASTING

The field of broadcasting is going through a period of rapid change. One of the trends is the combination of radio and television with computers and interactivity. Even the title of the field is shifting from the present emphasis on broadcasting to electronic media, according to Louisa A. Nielsen of the Broadcast Education Association.

It is further anticipated that there will be a major job shift in the field from radio and television positions to non-broadcast video. Non-broadcast video includes the activities of corporations, health care centers, and educational organizations in producing newsletters, training materials, videos, commercials, and educational materials. Careers will encompass not only performance, but technical skills, including video graphics. Students will need to be thoroughly trained in the use of media.

Often considered to be a glamour industry because of the attention given to electronic broadcasters—network newscasters and talk show hosts—the radio-television field actually has more jobs off-camera and off-microphone than on-air. Many of these technical, sales, and administrative positions pay as well or better than those held by performers.

Those interested in on-air performance should be aware that many of the jobs are in small or rural communities at local stations and in independent production facilities, rather than with the networks. It is fairly common for performers to find their first job at one of the small broadcasting or production sites. Initial pay is often low or even unpaid as volunteer work or internships. Even at that, competition for jobs is often high.

Undergraduate and graduate enrollments in electronic media are increasing. Electronic media/radio-television/broadcasting programs can be found in departments with such diverse names as communications, mass media, mass communication, and rRadio-television-film.

Careers in electronic media/radio-television/broadcasting include:

Communication subjects that can enhance a career in electronic media/ radio-television/broadcasting include:

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JOURNALISM (Print or Electronic)

Journalism involves researching and gathering information and communicating it to the public through writing, speaking, visual, or electronic means. Collegiate enrollment in journalism programs remains fairly steady. Approximately 50 percent of journalism graduates find employment in the field within six to eight months after completing their undergraduate degree.

Careers in journalism include:

Communication subjects that can enhance a career in journalism include:

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PUBLIC RELATIONS

Public relations typically involves managing the public images of an organization or an individual. According to Carl Botan of Purdue University, the field has been growing at a fast rate because

(1) the information society allows the reaching of specialized audiences which opens up the public relations field to new and ever expanding approaches, and

(2) public relations has been strongly affected internationally by changing economic structures.

It is expected that employment trends will continue to rise as the conception of public relations continues to broaden into areas of international communications and training and development.

Botan advises anyone planning to enter the field to be aware that “effective writing is absolutely a critical skill.” With the advent of video newsletters and video production as an important aspect of public relations, a background in media production is a necessity for career planning in this area.

Careers in public relations include:

Communication subjects that can enhance a career in public relations include:

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THEATRE/PERFORMING ARTS/DRAMATIC ARTS

Theatre, along with mass media, is considered a glamour industry. Some individuals who are interested in entering into a career in the theatre perceive it as a pathway to becoming a “star.” Although stars do exist, the majority of people in the field do not reach that level. Successful careers as performers may be had by people who recognize that there are opportunities outside of New York and Los Angeles. There are professional, community, and educational theatres operating throughout the country.

In planning for a career in the theatre keep in mind that individuals who were “stars” in their community or high school productions, will be competing with others who have had similar experiences. The jobs are few, the competition intense. It takes a great deal of dedication, along with talent, to become a successful performer.

It should also be kept in mind, when thinking about a career in drama, that there are off-stage jobs in areas such as theatre management, instruction, technical and production positions.

Careers in theatre/performing arts/dramatic arts include:

Communication subjects that can enhance a career in theatre/ performing/dramatic arts include:

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Careers in Fields Related to Communication

Knowledge of communication can be beneficial to any career. If you enjoy studying communication, but do not plan on pursuing it as a career, consider taking as many communication courses as you can fit into your elective selections. If your school permits it, you might choose to double major or minor in communication. Here are some career fields and occupations in which communication is important.

BUSINESS

It is well recognized that communication plays a vital role in the functioning of any government, business, or industrial organization. A national study indicates that the essential skills needed by a competent employee to get a job and to succeed and be promoted are primarily communication skills.

Careers in business and communication include:

Communication subjects that can enhance a business career include:

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GOVERNMENT/POLITICS

Communication skills are essential to address the issues that challenge political leaders and our systems of government. Communication is the basis for gaining understanding between people, discussing similarities and differences, and settling disputes.

Communication and government/political-related careers include:

Communication subjects that can enhance a government career include:

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HIGH TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRIES

The link between computerization and communication has become the subject of extensive research by communication specialists. Many departments of communication offer a specialization in information sciences, human information theory and processes, or communication technologies, often dealing with communication by computer, compressed video, and teleconferencing.

Careers in technology and communication include:

Communication subjects that can enhance a high technology career include:

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HEALTH CAREERS

Communication is a key tool that health care providers must use in dealing with clients and patients to prevent illness, diagnose disease, and manage treatment and patient care. It is necessary for developing and maintaining trust between provider and client, their families, and other health care providers.

Equally important in health careers is the use of communication to educate and train a population in healthy behaviors such as nutrition, sexual health, and family planning.

Careers in health and communication include:

Communication subjects that can enhance a health career include:

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INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND NEGOTIATIONS

International relations and negotiations are communication-centered. Understanding the effect of internationalism and how it affects communication is fundamental to dealing with others in the world arena. In an increasingly diverse world economy, essential communication skills are: problem-solving, speaking, listening, writing, and the abilities to analyze information and interact among multiple cultures.

Careers in international relations and negotiations include:

Communication subjects that can enhance an international relations/negotiations career include:

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LAW

Law is a profession which is essentially about communication. It involves establishing meaning and community through language. With a field so steeped in verbal and nonverbal skill requirements, a background in communication can serve as an effective beginning to a career in law. Communication training, or a degree in communication, can be useful for admission to law schools, as well as providing skills for use after law school. It is also valuable to paralegals and legal secretaries.

Careers in law and communication include:

Communication subjects that can enhance a legal career include:

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SOCIAL AND HUMAN SERVICES

The way human services are communicated can affect how people use and evaluate those services. Social workers, counselors, and other similar professionals must be effective communicators.

Careers in social and human services include:

Communication subjects that can enhance a social services or human services career include:

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