Communications degrees are often criticized for being too broad. But TBH, that’s exactly what makes them a great choice for so many students. Studying communications gives you the opportunity to pursue careers in a variety of professional fields, including public relations, journalism, business, marketing, news and broadcast television, and public administration.
As a communications major, you’ll take a closer look at communications processes at the individual and societal level. Along the way, you’ll gain valuable skills such as critical thinking and analysis, public speaking, writing, research, and creative thinking.
So, how does any of this translate to a rewarding career? What can you do with a communications degree? Read on for a list of the best career options for communications majors.
Related: How to Choose a Career
- Public Relations Specialist – There are few roles better suited to the unique strengths and skills of a comm major than that of a public relations (PR) specialist. In this role, you’ll be in charge of communicating with the public on behalf of your client. You may find yourself developing press kit materials, analyzing public opinion of the company through polls and social media, and serving as a point of contact for media queries. And you’ll make a great wage doing it. PR specialists made an average of $61,150 in 2019, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
- Event Planner – Do you know how to throw an amazing party? A career as an event planner could be a great fit for communications majors. Granted, event planners do more than just “throw parties.” They’re also in charge of managing every minute detail of event planning, from booking hotels for guests to overseeing the catering. Along with exceptionally good people skills, you need to be a total pro at delegating tasks and putting out little fires (sometimes literally) as they arise.
- Marketing Manager – If you’re interested in a marketing career, your communications degree will help set you up for success in a managerial role. Marketing managers are responsible for overseeing the strategic marketing plans for a company, and they rely heavily on good communication skills to do their job effectively. You may need to coordinate with different departments to carry out marketing initiatives across a variety of channels and use your research skills to assess demand for a product. And while the hours might be long, the pay may be worth it. Marketing managers raked in an average of $135,900 in 2019, according to BLS data.
- Speechwriter – Think you can write noble prose that brings a crowd to their feet? While speechwriting can be a tricky field to break into, it could potentially lead to an interesting and high-paying career. Speechwriters are ghost writers who are responsible for writing speeches that will be delivered by another person (think: politicians and high-level executives). Effective speechwriting requires the near-perfect blend of research, writing, creativity, and storytelling, which are skills that communications majors have in spades.
- Journalist – Journalism is another fantastic career option that allows communications majors to put their research, writing, and communication skills to good use. As a journalist, you’ll often find yourself working in the field, conducting interviews, and returning to work to write an engaging article on hard deadlines. Sound like an interesting career path? Consider giving it a test run by working for your school newspaper or finding an internship at a local newspaper, magazine, or television station.
- Radio Host/Podcast Producer – Do you love listening to podcasts on your morning commute? Are you a big fan of your local radio station? Consider launching a career as either a radio host or podcast producer. Both of these roles require strong speaking, writing, and creativity skills in order to deliver engaging shows to audiences. Get your foot in the door by scoring an internship at your local radio station. If your school has a podcast, see if they have any open positions where you can gain experience.
Getting Experience Is Key
As a communications major, your degree prepares you to be successful in many careers. The key to launching a successful career in the communications industry is by getting some experience under your belt. Figure out what parts of communications you enjoy the most, find internship opportunities in your niche, and then go for it!
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