Communication is very vital for the survival of the human race. We need to communicate effectively to be able to inform each other of what we need. Before you add communications to your list of potential degrees or completely turn your back on it, read this. This article will tell you about some of the most important things you need to know about majoring in communications. By the time you get to the end, you will have a much better idea if it’s right for you or something else.
Key Points:
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that, as of 2019, there are 2,718,900 employed individuals with communications degrees. Out of the total, 53% have a bachelor’s degree in communications and 23% have a master’s degree in communications.
- For businesses and teams to prosper, they need to have a strong communication foundation. Be it interpersonal, written, spoken, or digital, it can even be any or all of the above.
- With a degree in communication, you can apply for so many different job roles in social media, publicity, journalism, human resources, and lots more.
- Having a degree in communication permits you to perfect your skills, such as practical written and verbal communication, leadership, problem-solving skills, and teamwork skills.
- The BLS provided the salaries for this field and they earn $57,000 on average. So you can’t go wrong with choosing this major.
Overview
We communicate using the storytelling method; information is transmitted via several social media platforms. Funny enough, most people overlook this field, believing that the chances of getting a job are very slim, not knowing that this field is an evolving sector. The field is multi-faceted. If you choose to pursue a degree in this field, you must understand the importance of communication and how the job market in this field works. Based on my research, I found out that, according to information obtained from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment opportunities requiring a communications degree are expected to grow 14% in 10 years.
If you understand how statistics work, you understand that this is a pretty awesome number as compared to the average estimated growth for all jobs in the country, which is 7.7% over the same expected timeframe. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that, as of 2019, there are 2,718,900 employed individuals with communications degrees. Out of the total, 53% have a bachelor’s degree in communications and 23% have a master’s degree in communications.
Furthermore, the BLS also provides salaries for this field, and they earn $57,000 on average. So you can’t go wrong with choosing this major. I’ll explain more about this, let’s get right into it.
Is Communications a Good Major?
Yes, I can assure you that if you decide to choose a communications major, you will be going in the right direction. This major is best for individuals who enjoy doing a job that enables them to connect with people and provide useful information.
So now allow me to tell you something interesting, guys. Do you know that taking a communications major prepares you for several interesting career paths? These career paths include job opportunities in the media, journalism, human resources, and lots more.
Basically, there are several advantages to being a graduate of a communications major. Some of these include learning a large set of skills, down to learning about how you’ll unite your business with others.
But unlike the popular belief that anyone can take a communications major, you must be sure that the communication major is right for you. So how do you find out if this major is right for you? So come with me while I explain more about this.
Is Communication in High Demand?
Yes, that is correct; communication majors are in high demand. One of the highest-paying communication majors or degrees in public relations management; this is one of the top degree paths for students to pursue, and for good reason.
For businesses and teams to prosper, they need to have a strong communication foundation. Be it interpersonal, written, spoken, or digital, it can even be any or all of the above. Getting a degree in communication will provide you with the foundation to succeed wherever you find yourself in the world.
How Useful is a Communications Major?
So most people don’t know how useful a major in this field is and at this junction, I will be unveiling some of the core benefits of having a communications degree. With this degree, you can apply for so many different job roles in social media, publicity, journalism, human resources, and lots more. Also, having a degree in this field permits you to perfect your skills, such as practical written and verbal communication, leadership, problem-solving skills, and teamwork skills.
Now, after getting these skills, which are so valuable in several ways, you can work in a large number of fields.
Need I convince you more about getting a degree in communication? Are you unsure whether you should get this degree,? Do you think this degree is right for you? One of the ideal ways to determine if this degree is for you is to just think about what your life would look like if you worked in a communication-related job setting.
The best and most interesting jobs communication majors can work in today’s marketplace. Go through this list and determine whether any of the day-to-day job experiences look like something that might interest you.
- Public Relations Specialist
- Brand manager
- Sales representative
- Copywriter
- Reporter
- Event planning
#1. Public Relations Specialist
So do you enjoy relating with the public? That’s basically what you have to do here. This field strives to create a favorable image in the public eye for the company or organization they work for. Public relations experts work with members of the media to deliver data and access to directors, craft press releases, and provide advisories to publish company events.
These professionals also work to ensure seamless communication between internal organization affairs and members of the public, from clients to journalists down to investors.
Public relations professionals earned an average salary of $62,800 in 2021, and the field is projected to grow 8% through 2031, according to BLS.
#2. Brand manager
Just like the public relations field, there are several roles a communication major could work in, such as striving to sell a brand, product, or service based on the strengths and abilities they provide.
A brand manager deals with all aspects of advertising. They help advertising teams protect a business’s or person’s public image. One of your responsibilities as a brand manager is to ensure the brand keeps close contact across various media.
They also study industry trends, observe and recognize the target audiences, and create marketing campaigns.
#3. Sales representative
A sales representative working in specific fields, like medical or technology sales, requires experts to know not just brands but also stocks, including technical details. Sales reps must discover future clients and then nurture and maintain those relationships.
Having the ability to communicate the advantages of their products concisely through a sales pitch is necessary to prosper, so sales reps must ensure they know everything they need to know about their brand and audience.
#4. Journalist
As a journalist, your job description includes gathering data about issues happening in their society, interviewing information sources, and using your analysis skills to discover new data, craft engaging and interesting articles, and report stories for public consumption.
Journalists who work at a bigger company, such as a newspaper or magazine, usually focus on programs such as breaking news, sports, politics, or community feature articles.
According to the research I got from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, journalists, correspondents, and broadcast news judges made an average salary of $48,370 in 2021.
What are the Highest-Paying Communication Jobs?
I have carried out in-depth research to profile you with these jobs and they are the top 5 highest paying communication jobs. Some of these jobs include:
#1. Public Relations Director
As a PR director, you are held responsible for overseeing and supervising all public relations campaigns and strategies for any organizations you are working with. Your job responsibility also includes handling media relations and crisis communications.
On average, PR directors in the United States earn $158,347 per year. This is pretty impressive; I don’t think I need to convince you that this field is very good. Furthermore, to become a PR director, the requirements can differ and are based on what your employer wants, the particular industry or sector, as well as the level of the position.
Generally, you would require a bachelor’s degree, experience in the said industry, and professional certificates. A master’s degree is optional and not a must.
#2. Marketing Manager
Second on our list is a marketing manager, and they are usually saddled with the responsibility of creating and enforcing marketing strategies to improve products or services, evaluating market sensations, and overseeing promotion and promotional activities.
As a marketing manager, some of the requirements to work in this field can differ and are also based on what your employer wants, the particular industry, and the level of the position. Although you must possess a certain level of educational qualifications and experience before you can apply for a role in this field,. Some of the qualifications required include a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree; this is optional, appropriate coursework, and analytical skills.
You must also possess digital marketing skills, as well as project management skills. On average, marketing managers earn $87,912 in the United States per year.
#3. Corporate Communications Manager
This is another example of the highest-paying job for graduates with this degree and they are usually actively involved in overseeing the management of both internal and external communications for a business.
Their job roles also include handling media relations as well as employee communications. Corporate Communications managers in the United States earn $121,70 and this is very interesting. You can try it out today.
#4. Media Relations Manager
A Media Relations Manager generally handles building relationships with media channels, creating press releases, and overseeing media inquiries for companies.
However, to become a media relations manager, you need to have a bachelor’s degree, experience in this field, as well as strategic communication skills. You must also have good writing and editing skills and know how to handle issues, which includes crisis management.
You must also possess leadership skills and excellent digital communications skills. Media relations managers practicing in the United States earn $100,247 each year and this information was obtained from the BLS.
#5. Digital Marketing Manager
Lastly, we have a digital marketing Marketing Manager who is actively involved in handling digital marketing advertisements. They handle all campaigns on social media, email marketing, and online publicity.
When dealing with this field, the educational requirements can differ depending on what your employer wants, the level of the position, and the precise industry.
However, you must possess certain educational credentials and experience before you can get this role. Some of these requirements include a bachelor’s degree, relevant coursework, and lots more.
Ensure you research the field you choose to know more about the requirements. For the salary range, they earn $90,478 per year on average.
Why Do People Choose Communication Majors?
This is because, as a communication degree graduate, you do not only learn about how to talk about your ideas and oversee media campaigns but you are also taught about how to create content that is created specifically to drive engagement between a company and its customers.
Furthermore, they usually discover enhanced media relations as well as gain public speaking skills and problem-solving skills. These individuals learn about decision-making skills, and they get skills for writing with simplicity and precision.
The experience and skills communication majors receive can be applied to several industries in both the public and private sectors.
Final Thoughts,
Pursuing a communications major can provide you with skills that are versatile and transferable, and these skills can be applied in several industries such as marketing, public relations, and lots more. This degree focuses on effective communication, engaging audiences, and using modern communication outlets to make a difference in several sectors.
Nevertheless, success in the field always depends on practical experience, networking, and keeping up with evolving technologies and trends.
Reference
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