What Can You Do with a Communications Degree?

Effective communication skills are fundamental whether you are a business reporter, video editor, or career advisor. A communications major will allow you to work in a variety of industries and in a variety of roles. This guide will walk you through the different educational paths you can take and the best jobs for communication majors.

What Is a Communications Major?

A communications major is a degree that teaches you the fundamental elements of human communication. A curriculum in this area includes social statistics, research methods, public speaking, and communication theory. With this type of education, you can enter fields such as event planning, client services, marketing campaigns, and mass media, to name a few.

How to Become a Communications Professional: Communications Education Options 

There is a wide variety of jobs for communications majors in public relations, mass communication, human resources, and marketing teams. The education requirements will vary depending on your career goals. Below are the different available options and communications degrees you can pursue to build a career in this field.

Communications Associate Degree 

An Associate Degree in Communications provides you with foundational to intermediate knowledge of mass communications and marketing topics. It usually takes around two years to complete. This degree is best suited for those looking for a shorter and cheaper degree program. You can also transfer your credits into a communications bachelor’s degree program.

Best Associate Degree Programs in Communications

• Community College of Philadelphia – Associate in Arts in Communication Studies 
• Nashua Community College – Associate Degree in Communications
• Coastline College – Associate in Arts in Communication Studies
• Sinclair College – Associate Degree in Communication Studies
• Gateway Community College – Associate in Arts Emphasis in Communication

Communications Bachelor’s Degree

A bachelor’s degree in the communications field can include concentrations from the tech, business, public policy, and mass communication areas. It typically lasts for four years. This type of program teaches you in-depth communication skills and gets you ready for an entry-level career.

If you are looking to gain the standard qualifications, then this degree option is for you. It opens up job opportunities across several industries. You can become a digital marketer, business analyst, public relations manager, or news reporter.

Best Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Communications

• The University of Oklahoma – Bachelor of Arts in Communications
• Southern New Hampshire University – Online Bachelor of Arts in Communications
• Thomas Edison State University – Bachelor of Arts in Communications
• Drexel University – Bachelor of Arts in Communications
• The Ohio State University – Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication

Communications Master’s Degree 

A Master’s Degree in Communications is a great option for those looking to directly enter senior roles in marketing, media, or consulting. It is also an option for those looking to pursue a Doctoral Degree in Journalism, Law, or Marketing.

Your master’s communication concentration can include human resources, public policy, or journalism, depending on your goals. It will take somewhere between two to three years to complete this type of program.

Best Master’s Degree Programs in Communications

• Johns Hopkins University – Master of Arts in Communication
• Northwestern University – Master of Science in Communication
• The University of Louisiana at Monroe – Master of Arts in Communication 
• Purdue University – Online Master in Communication
• University of Southern California – Master of Communication Management

Communications Career Overview: Is a Communications Career Worth It?

Communications Job Outlook

The job outlook rate for a communications career differs depending on your choice of profession and industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for media and communications occupations is projected to grow by 14 percent from 2020 to 2030. 

However, the growth rate changes by profession. For instance, according to BLS, the job outlook for news analysts, journalists, and reporters is six percent between 2020 to 2030. Similarly, according to BLS, the job outlook for advertising, promotions, and marketing managers is 10 percent between 2020 to 2030.

Communications Salaries

According to BLS, the average annual salary for media and communications workers in 2020 was $61,310, and $50,870 for media and communication equipment workers. However, just like the job growth statistics, the average annual salary also differs by profession. For example, according to BLS, the average salary for a human resources specialist is $63,490 per year and the average salary for management analysts is $87,660 per year.

Best Jobs for Communications Majors: What Can You Do With a Communications Degree?

Job opportunities for communications encompass several fields including human resources, politics, social media, and technology. You can become a technical writer for an online publication, or a human service assistant for government agencies. Below are the best jobs for communications majors on different educational paths.

Best Jobs for Communications Associate Degree Majors

Social Media Manager

• Average Salary: $133,460
• Job Outlook: 10%

The prevalence of social media jobs has increased as social platforms become the norm, and the social media manager position is a testament to this. This job echoes the responsibilities of a marketing manager and public relations specialist for a social media platform. Job responsibilities include organizing social events, creating marketing campaigns, analyzing customer engagement data, and promoting products.

Writer and Author

• Average Salary: $67,120
• Job Outlook: 9%

If you have excellent writing skills, then these professions might be a great option for you. Depending on your interests, you can work in technical writing, sales writing, or content writing. You can also author your own book. To be a successful writer you must have an in-depth understanding of how to communicate with your target audience and an associate degree will help you attain that skill.

Editor

• Average Salary: $63,400
• Job Outlook: 5%

Similar to writers, editors can work on articles pertaining to a variety of fields, including tech, marketing, business, and scripts. You can become a book editor, copyeditor, or even move to a senior managing editor position once you’ve gained sufficient experience. In order to succeed in this profession, you need languages, writing, research, and interpersonal skills and an associate degree is a great way to get them.

Announcer

• Average Salary: $41,950
• Job Outlook: 15%

If you consider yourself to be a great public speaker and have excellent interview skills, then a career as an announcer is the way to go. A communications background will help you gain insight into the tactics of public speaking and hone your communications skills.

Interpreter

• Average Salary: $52,330
• Job Outlook: 24% 

The demand for interpreters is currently high and the occupation’s job outlook rate is a testament to that. The job duties of an interpreter essentially include translating verbal and non-verbal languages for their audience. Their job can include traveling to conflict zones and aiding humanitarian missions. Having excellent communications skills is crucial to the profession.

Best Jobs for Communications Bachelor’s Degree Majors

Marketing Coordinator 

• Average Salary: $133,460
• Job Outlook: 10%

As a marketing coordinator, your job is to analyze current market trends and help develop marketing strategies including campaigns, adverts, social media events, and branding. You’ll need to be familiar with customer success measures, product popularity, social media trends, and industry trends. To enter this field you need a background in communications, media, marketing, data, and tech. This job is best suited for those intrigued by creative marketing and data.

Human Resource Manager

• Average Salary: $121,220
• Job Outlook: 9%

Effective communication plays a key role in a human resource management position. Your duties include recruiting employees, onboarding new staff, dealing with salary packages, and ensuring workplace decorum. Individuals with communications degrees are a great fit for this role as they gain ample social and human service skills.

Video Producer

• Average Salary: $76,400
• Job Outlook: 24%

Video producing is a field that conveys stories and requires a great understanding of communication equipment and the behavior patterns of a given target audience. This field also requires extensive knowledge of effective promotion and marketing. 

Video producers can collaborate with creatives, in corporate settings and in advertisements. Getting a communications education will help you in this management role but know that you will also need to learn video production.

Journalist

• Average Salary: $49,300
• Job Outlook: 6%

Whether it’s television, online newsrooms, or radio, journalists do the job of conveying news to the public. Mastering effective communication skills is vital to this role. This profession is ideal for someone who has excellent research and creative skills. You can get a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and Mass Media to start your career in journalism.

Public Relations Specialist

• Average Salary: $62,810
• Job Outlook: 11%

The job of a public relations specialist is to sway public perception and bolster the reputation of a company. They do this by conducting market research, networking with media outlets, and establishing positive relationships with community influencers.

Primary duties for a public relations specialist include providing public relations advice and strategies to their clients. This job requires expertise in project management, communication, marketing, data interpretation, and journalism. If you have excellent event coordination skills, interpersonal skills, analytical skills, and data skills, then this profession is for you.

Best Jobs for Communications Master’s Degree Majors

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Political Campaign Manager 

• Average Salary: $118,430
• Job Outlook: 13%

A political campaign manager’s job is to help a politician succeed by managing their campaign strategy and elements. This includes identifying potential donors, organizing fundraising events, and designing marketing campaigns. Having excellent public relations and marketing skills will help you excel in this job.

You also need to have an in-depth understanding of Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook social media marketing, along with traditional television and newspaper marketing. A Master’s Degree in Public Administration and Communications or Journalism and Mass Communications will get you job-ready.

Communications Professor 

• Average Salary: $71,030
• Job Outlook: 12%

Becoming a communications professor requires industry expertise and teaching skills. A Master’s Degree in Communications is the minimum education requirement for this profession. Depending on your interests, you can specialize in media, communications, human resources, or public relations. Your job duties include curriculum design, teaching, grading, and advising students.

Market Research Analyst 

• Average Salary: $65,810
• Job Outlook: 22%

A market research analyst’s job is a combination of several fields including data science, business, and marketing. To succeed you need to learn marketing analytics, which includes data collection, interpretation, and analysis. You also need to have excellent communication, teamwork, and analytical skills.

Your responsibilities include defining marketing goals, setting sales parameters, and contributing to overall business growth. A Master’s in Marketing Communication or Data Marketing Communications are apt specializations for this job.

Sports Broadcaster 

• Average Salary: $36,770
• Job Outlook: 15%

If you love watching sports, are passionate about the players and sports analytics, and have great public speaking skills, then a career in sports broadcasting is for you. This profession is similar to announcer and commentator jobs. You will analyze live and past games and provide your opinion to the public.

As this falls under the entertainment sector, being charming and having great interpersonal skills is a must. You can work in lucrative sports industries including NBA, NFL, and MLB. You can get a Master’s Degree in Sports Journalism or Sports Communication to build a career in this field.

Health Education Specialist 

• Average Salary: $56,500
• Job Outlook: 17%

The job role of a health education specialist entails educating various industry professionals about health and wellness. Depending on your field expertise you can work in the medical, business, education, or government sector. An essential requirement for this job is communication skills. You can get a Master of Science in Health Communication or Health Education to enter this profession.

* Figure taken from the BLS listing for advertising, promotions, and marketing managers

** Figure taken from the BLS listing for announcers

Three Final Tips to Get a Job in Communications

1. Practice your public speaking skills. Having excellent public speaking skills for any communications job is a must. Practice this skill so you can exhibit it during your job interview and impress the recruiter.
2. Network with industry professionals. Another tip to getting a lucrative job in communications is networking. Join online forums and attend career fairs to help you build professional connections.
3. Build your portfolio. Having an impressive portfolio will help you stand out. You can build your portfolio by doing internships and freelance jobs, just make sure that your samples are aligned with your career goals.

A communications degree opens up career possibilities across a wide range of fields including marketing, real estate, public relations, education, and journalism. The key to landing a lucrative job lies in mastering interpersonal skills and marketing skills. If you have these skills, or are willing to work on them, then pursuing a communications major is a great idea.