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What types of Communications jobs are there?

I am a communications, media, and theatre major with a minor in communications. I know comm is a broad field, and I'm struggling with what types of job I would want. How do I start networking? Exploring?

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Michael’s Answer

Hi Dayana,

According to www.Indeed.com, here are the top jobs for Communication Majors:

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/top-communications-degree-jobs

- Business Reporter
- Marketing Coordinator
- Copy Writer
- Brand Strategist
- Social Media Manager
- Managing Editor
- Content Marketing Manager
- Web Producer
- Social Media Planner
- Senior Event Planner

According to U.S. News and World Report, here are the top colleges and universities for Communication Majors:

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/communications-major-0901

- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Stanford University
- University of Pennsylvania
- Northwestern University
- Brown University
- Vanderbilt University
- Cornell University
- University of California (Berkley)

When reviewing colleges and universities, it is best to check the following:

- In-State vs Out of State Tuition
- Internships
- Scholarships
- Career Placement upon graduation
- Course work and offered classes
- Post-Graduate Degrees - Master and Doctoral

Network ... Network ... Network ... the more people who know that you are looking to pursue interests in the Communications field ... the better your chances of learning more about the industry, getting hired, educational requirements, experience and skill sets to acquire, etc. Sometimes it is not what you know, but who you know including family, friends, professors and academic advisors who can be sounding boards and provide feedback for you.

A running Excel document, Google Sheets or a ledger can be utilized to enter all of the collected information from the people who you come across. The document should be organized to include the date that you met the person; the person's name, professional title and company; contact information like email addresses, phone numbers, etc.; notes from your interview session and any other network information to help you at a later date.

Shadowing is the means where one spends time with a company to learn more about the work environment, different professional roles, day to day operations, etc. This will provide you with a better view in order to map out your educational and professional career paths. Again, Academic Advisors, the Communications Department and the Campus Career Center can provide resources and professional contacts for one to shadow with a potential hiring company.

LinkedIn is a great platform to connect with professionals across various industries, related or not related to your own field. One can search and view a company's profile, available open positions, professional profiles, etc. Within the news feed, one can view postings and announcements from other professionals.

With LinkedIn, members can send InMails to directly to each other without being connected to one another. Professionals who are directly connected to each other can send regular LinkedIn messages to each other. Professionals who pay for the premium service on LinkedIn have access to the InMail service feature.

Directly from LinkedIn Help:

"InMail messages is a premium feature, and it allows you to directly message another LinkedIn member that you're not connected to. If you have a Basic (free) account, then you can only directly message LinkedIn members that you’re connected to. You must upgrade to a Premium account to use InMail messages. You can’t message a member if they’ve chosen not to receive InMail messages in their message preferences settings. You’re allotted a specific number of InMail message credits based on your subscription type. You can find the number of InMail message credits you have from your My Premium page."

"Premium InMail message credits can't be used to send InMail messages on Sales Navigator or LinkedIn Recruiter."

Hope this helps, utilize networking and best wishes for your educational pathway and future professional career as a Communications professional!
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Pamela’s Answer

I started my career interning which allowed me to see what a career might be like without a major commitment. My first job was a public relations agency where I got to see many types of clients. I sometimes call this my "grad school" as I learned so much on the job. PR and marketing agencies usually have intern programs as well. This is a good way to see a variety of industries which can help you start to know what you like and what you don't like.

Some people stay at agencies for their entire career and love it. Some like to move in-house and work directly for a company. But by interning and starting at a PR agency, you'll better know what kind of company you might want to join.
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Sara Miller’s Answer

I work in Marketing which is just one discipline that needs communications majors. Getting messages about our products out to customers and our Sales teams takes on many different forms. We have people who run events such as trade shows or customer events at our stores. We have people who work with advertising agencies, and folks who write and design content for web based and social media platforms. We have technology strategists who work with customers and product designers to understand what customers need.
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James Constantine’s Answer

Hello Dayana,

Types of Communications Jobs

In the field of communications, various job opportunities cater to different interests and skill sets. Here are some common types of communications jobs you may consider exploring:

Public Relations Specialist: Public relations (PR) specialists are responsible for managing the public image of individuals or organizations. They create and maintain a favorable public image by crafting press releases, organizing events, and handling media inquiries.

Marketing Communications Coordinator: Marketing communications coordinators work on developing and implementing marketing strategies to promote products or services. They may be involved in creating advertising campaigns, managing social media accounts, and coordinating promotional events.

Corporate Communications Manager: Corporate communications managers oversee internal and external communications for a company. They are responsible for developing communication strategies, handling crisis communication, and ensuring consistent messaging across all channels.

Media Relations Specialist: Media relations specialists work to build relationships with journalists and media outlets to secure positive coverage for their organization. They pitch stories, arrange interviews, and monitor media coverage.

Social Media Manager: Social media managers are responsible for creating and curating content for social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. They engage with followers, analyze metrics, and develop social media strategies.

Content Writer/Editor: Content writers and editors create written content for various platforms such as websites, blogs, newsletters, and marketing materials. They ensure that the content is engaging, accurate, and aligns with the organization’s messaging.

Event Planner: Event planners coordinate all aspects of events such as conferences, trade shows, product launches, and fundraisers. They handle logistics, budgeting, vendor management, and promotion to ensure successful events.

Digital Marketing Specialist: Digital marketing specialists focus on online marketing strategies such as search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click advertising (PPC), email marketing, and content marketing to drive traffic and conversions.

Communications Analyst: Communications analysts gather data on communication trends and effectiveness to provide insights for improving communication strategies. They may conduct surveys, analyze metrics, and make recommendations based on their findings.

Broadcast Journalist: Broadcast journalists work in radio or television broadcasting to research news stories, conduct interviews, write scripts, and present news reports to the public.

Networking in the Communications Field

To start networking in the communications field:

Join Professional Organizations: Joining industry-specific organizations like the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) or the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) can help you connect with professionals in the field.

Attend Events: Attend networking events such as conferences, workshops, seminars, or career fairs where you can meet professionals from various sectors of communications.

Utilize Social Media: Use platforms like LinkedIn to connect with professionals in your desired field, join relevant groups or forums to engage in discussions related to communications.

Informational Interviews: Reach out to professionals in roles that interest you for informational interviews to gain insights into their career paths and advice on breaking into the industry.

Internships/Externships: Consider internships or externships at companies or organizations within the communications field to gain practical experience and expand your network.

Exploring these avenues will help you build connections within the industry and gain valuable insights into potential career paths within communications.

Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): The BLS provides detailed information on job outlooks, salaries, educational requirements for various occupations including those in the field of communications.

Public Relations Society of America (PRSA): PRSA offers resources for PR professionals including networking opportunities through local chapters and professional development programs.

International Association of Business Communicators (IABC): IABC is a global network for communication professionals offering resources such as webinars, conferences, certifications that can aid in networking within the industry.

God Bless You,
JC.
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