The good news about getting a degree in communications is that you have options. It’s one of the most versatile degrees you can earn.
However, the number of career choices you’ll have once you graduate can be overwhelming.
There’s also a downside to getting a communications degree: it’s popular! Lots of people choose to study communications because it opens up lots of career opportunities. That means you might face a lot of competition when applying for jobs.
When choosing your career path, it’s important to be practical in addition to following your interests. If you’re interested in the following competitive careers, be prepared to rise above the competition and showcase your unique qualifications.
News Anchor
For many communications majors, getting a job as a news anchor is the dream. A steady job on television holds a lot of appeal for many people, but it’s also hard to land.
Most people start out as interns during college at their school’s television or radio station to gain experience.
PR Manager
A career in public relations is a natural fit for communications majors. PR professionals are tasked with maintaining a person or organization’s image and communicating with the media on their behalf.
Daily activities include writing press releases, analysis, searching for media placement opportunities, and spearheading damage control, when necessary.
Entry-level jobs in PR are competitive, but there are a lot of them. Moving up the ladder, however, can be challenging as you’ll be competing with others for just a few spots and will need to showcase exceptional skills.
Producer
Want to work in television? Becoming a producer can be an exciting career that allows you to work on a variety of projects.
Essentially, producers are the decision-makers on any television or film project, setting budgets, hiring, and providing creative direction.
It’s not surprising that producer roles are some of the most competitive for communications majors. Getting started in the industry to gain experience, even as an intern, will provide a leg up.
It can take many years and a lot of patience to become a producer.
Human Resource Manager
In the business world, communication is critical for productivity, harmony within the office, and overall business success.
Human resource managers handle the people side of things, coordinating hiring and onboarding, managing benefits, and resolving disputes.
While growth within the industry is steady, higher-level jobs in human resources are competitive. With a median salary of $121,220 as of 2020, human resource managers enjoy a fulfilling career and good pay.
To work your way up in the field, you must gain experience and prove yourself as an excellent communicator with organizational skills and the ability to balance the needs of the employee with the needs of the company.
Marketing Consultant
Communications is versatile enough that you can break into the field of marketing. Although you might choose to pursue a marketing degree if you want to get into consulting or working as a marketer, you can do so with a communications degree.
There are many marketing jobs available, but building a reputation as a skilled marketing consultant can be challenging.
Generally, you will need to work at an entry-level to gain skills and work your way toward consulting work.
Getting an Advanced Communications Degree
Although these careers can be extremely competitive, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pursue them
If you have a specific career goal, then setting yourself up for success as much as possible will help you avoid frustration and disappointment.
One of the best ways to set yourself apart from other applicants is to earn an advanced communications degree.
Many jobs in the communications field require only a bachelor’s degree, meaning that getting an online master’s in communication could give you a competitive edge.
Earning an additional degree requires an investment in time and money, but most programs can be completed in two years or less. Other students choose to take fewer classes at once so they can continue working and gaining experience.
At the end of the day, you need to decide what’s practical for you. Do you chase the competitive job of your dreams? Or do you choose a career that will be satisfying without requiring extensive intern work? That’s up to you. But earning an advanced degree will help you reach your career goals, regardless of what they might be.
