Communicating is something we all do, though some of us do it better than others! And if you’re studying communications or have thought about it, you may be wondering what jobs for communications majors are out there.
While nearly every job on the planet involves some level of communication, some jobs are tailor-made for communications majors. But there are also quite a few roles that you may not have realized are also right up your alley.
So, what kinds of jobs for communications majors are there? And which one is right for you?
What Is the Communications Major?
Before we can answer, “What is the communications major?” we have to define communication.
The dictionary defines communication as the sharing or exchanging of information. So, as you’re reading this article, we’re communicating! But this, of course, is only one type of communication. When you scroll through Instagram, read a news article, or even watch your favorite sports team, you’re communicating.
Communications majors study all of these types of communications and more. For example, they may learn about advertising to create copy that describes a product. But they may also study broadcasting, print media, public relations, or crisis communications … the list is nearly endless!
Types of Communications Degrees
You can earn any type of communications degree, from associate to doctorate. But, within each type of degree, there are concentrations.
For example, marketing is a type of communications but, instead of earning a bachelor’s degree in communications and then pursuing a marketing career, you can obtain a bachelor’s degree in marketing, likely as a business degree.
If you’re interested in journalism (also a type of communication), you can work toward a bachelor’s in journalism. However, that will likely be in a liberal arts or journalism program.
What’s more, a communications degree gives you career options. “A degree in communications opens up a diverse array of career possibilities, allowing individuals to thrive in various industries. After all, we are never not communicating,” says Jamie Levin, principal at JLevin Communications.
“It provides a versatile skillset that can be applied across various industries,” continues Levin. “In today’s business environment, especially where many are widespread geographically and working hybrid or remote, effective communication is more important than ever, making it a valuable asset in today’s professional landscape.”
So, what types of communications degree concentrations are there? Here are some examples:
- Sports communications: How sports teams communicate with fans, media, and sponsors.
- Marketing: Selling and promoting products or services.
- Broadcasting: Sharing information and programs via radio or television.
- Journalism: Preparing and presenting news stories via print or broadcasting.
- Media studies: Studying the history and impact of all forms of media.
- Electronic and digital communication: Broadcasting using digital means, such as live streams.
- Public relations: Managing and maintaining a company or individual’s public image.
- Organizational communication: How companies and public organizations communicate.
- Health communication: Sharing health information so individuals make better choices.
What Kinds of Jobs Are There for Communications Majors?
“One of the core skills employers look for in new graduates is communication,” notes Dirk Matthews, senior director of alumni relations at Columbia College in Chicago and president-elect of the National Career Development Association. “Communication majors are trained in various forms of this skill that can be used in multiple professions.”
This is neither an extensive nor exhaustive list. Since communication is a top skill employers look for in candidates, your job possibilities extend well beyond this list.
“Just because one majors in communications, does not mean they cannot do anything other than communications,” notes Levin. “It’s a very transferable skillset that supports success in various industries and positions.”
And if you’re looking for entry-level jobs for communications majors, they’re on this list, too, even if it doesn’t seem like it. Entry-level job titles in many fields say “coordinator,” “specialist,” or “assistant,” though not all do.
Each of these jobs for communications majors includes the median pay for 2022 and predicted job growth for 2022 through 2032, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
1. Marketer
Median pay: $68,230
Predicted job growth: 13% (much faster than average)
Marketing is the promotion of a product or service. While the end goal is often the sale of said product or service, marketers are more focused on raising awareness and educating potential customers.
2. Human Resources
Median pay: $64,240
Predicted job growth: 6% (faster than average)
In human resources, you’ll use your verbal and written communication skills a lot. You may write job postings and job descriptions, conduct phone interviews with job seekers, or give a presentation about upcoming changes to the fringe benefits package.
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3. Writer
Median pay: $73,150
Predicted job growth: 4% (as fast as average)
Writers communicate via the written word. While that includes things like blog posts, books, and articles, writers often use their talents to help others communicate. Some examples are creating scripts for TV shows or education videos, ghostwriting for executives or celebrities, and writing speeches.
4. Meeting and Event Planners
Median pay: $52,560
Predicted job growth: 8% (faster than average)
When you think of jobs for communications majors, meeting and event planner probably doesn’t leap to the top of your mind. But meeting and event planners communicate in so many ways. Coordinating with vendors and clients is a big part of the role, but so is designing the event so attendees get the most out of it. That includes tasks such as ensuring signs and agendas are clear so people know where they should be and when, making sure booths are laid out logically, and advertising the event.
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5. Political Communications
Median pay: $128,020
Predicted job growth: 7% (faster than average)
Political communications is not a job category from the BLS, so the wage and growth data is for political scientists. But political communications is a type of job for a communications major. While many job functions include writing and marketing, political communications focuses on political messaging. That’s things like campaign slogans and speeches that help sell the candidate and their vision.
6. Sales
Median pay: $35,290
Predicted job growth: predicted to decline; around 1.8 million opernings projected per year
“Sales” is a broad term the BLS uses to describe any act related to selling. So, that includes everything from someone who sells SaaS products to start-ups to someone working in a retail store. Though this particular job category is expected to lose jobs, much of it will be in physical retail stores.
So, how do sales pros use their communication skills? To persuade you to purchase the product, of course. But salespeople also educate and inform their customers to help them make the best choice possible.
7. Brand Manager
Median pay: $138,730
Predicted job growth: 6% (faster than average)
Brand managers are responsible for the marketing of a brand. That could be a company, product, or even a person. But brand managers do more than marketing. They are responsible for the growth and maintenance of it. As an example, a brand manager may coordinate with the social media team to see how the brand is resonating on social channels and design a marketing strategy based on that data.
8. Social Media Specialist
Median pay: $66,420
Predicted job growth: as fast as average
Working in social media isn’t just creating content that goes viral. It’s also about measuring its impact on things like generating leads and closing sales. That requires a fair amount of analytical skills in addition to communication skills.
9. Public Relations Specialist
Median pay: $67,440
Predicted job growth: 6% (faster than average)
Public relations specialist is a common entry-level job for communications majors. The public relations team helps cultivate a positive image for a brand or person through public or forward-facing communications. As a public relations specialist, you may schedule when press releases are sent out, follow up with media contacts, or write press releases
10. Producer
Median pay: $85,320
Predicted job growth: 7% (faster than average)
When you think of a producer, the first thing that leaps to mind may be someone who helps create big-budget Hollywood movies. And you’d be right! But the job title “producer” also encompasses radio shows, video games, and podcasts. And while producers make a lot of the business decisions around the production, they flex their communication skills throughout the process.
Bonus Jobs for Communications Majors
The list of jobs for communications majors doesn’t stop there. Here are other communications careers you can pursue:
- Corporate communications
- Content creator
- Journalist
- Reporter
- Nonprofit or government communications
- Healthcare communications
- Advertising
Top Skills for Communications Majors
Communication is, of course, the top skill you’ll need, no matter which career path you pursue. But beyond your communication skills, you’ll build other skills throughout your studies.
“Most communications majors tend to have experience in project-based assignments,” says Dirk. “This allows students to develop their creative problem-solving and project management skills.”
Collaboration
While you may be a one-person team, you’ll often have to collaborate with coworkers, vendors, and other stakeholders. For example, if you’re working in social media, you may need to coordinate your strategy with a graphic designer and marketing team.
Project Management
Communication roles aren’t project management, per se, but you’ll often use your project management skills on the job. If you produce a podcast, you may need to schedule guests, coordinate the production schedule, and get the episode live. That requires you to juggle schedules, follow up with people, and, you guessed it, use your project management skills.
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Attention to Detail
Whether it’s a blog post, a script, or a speech, many communications jobs require you to put words on a page (or screen). Editing, proofreading, correcting, and rewriting are all necessary and important tass. Without stellar attention to detail, you may send out a press release with a typo.
Analytical Skills
While many of these jobs rely on creative thinking, they also require strong analytical skills. Some roles (like writer or social media specialists) use data to inform their decisions, so you’ll have to gather and analyze information. For example, if you’re a content writer working for a website, you may need to explore how well a post is performing, determine why traffic is dropping, and devise a solution to change that.
Adaptability
Finally, a critical skill for people in communications is adaptability. Sometimes, things change quickly and you need to adjust your plans. Say you’re a brand manager and there’s some bad press around your product. You’ll need to move quickly to deal with the situation, requiring you to be flexible and engage in crisis communications instead of your typical brand management strategy.
More Jobs for Communications Majors
This list barely scratches the surface of possible jobs for a communications major. Not sure what kind of job is right for you, no matter the major? Take our Ultimate What Career Is Right for Me quiz and find out!
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