Careers for communicators

New university graduates in nearly every profession face strong competition for good jobs nowadays, and communications graduates find their own experience to be no exception. A recent study showed that nationally two communication graduates are chasing after every communication-related job. Interestingly, however, that statistic drops to slightly more than one graduate for every job if the graduate has on-campus media experience through clubs and university publications, and less than one applicant for each job with both on-campus experience and an internship. It's clear that good jobs are waiting for you...if you work hard in class, if you join résumé-building organizations, and if you take advantage of the department's internship coordinator to set up a quality work experience.

As for jobs, here are some possibilities:

Business/management
In a recent survey of 1,750 New York City corporate CEOs, 79 percent of those responding identified the "ability to express ideas verbally" as the most important of the several qualifications used to screen and evaluate new employees. CEOs want graduates who can communicate, verbally and on paper. Not only in sales, either: managers find themselves communicating about three quarters of the time, and nearly two-thirds of the time it's verbal communication.
Careers: sales representative or manager, middle-level executive manager, personnel manager, labor relations representative.

Communications representative
If you're a good writer, almost any employer will highly value your skill. You'll be an exception to the rule. Many businesses hire communications officers, and most hospitals and public institutions of any size look for public relations representatives. An internship or other practical experience as a student is nearly essential to finding employment.
Careers: public information officer, newsletter editor, communications officer, sports information officer, public relations representative, marketing director, administrative aide, director of corporate communication.

Law
Many communication students find their background particularly suitable for the verbal and written communication needs of law. Three years' of additional study leads to the J.D. degree.
Careers: public defender, corporate lawyer, district attorney, public interest lawyer, legal researcher, mediation and negotiation specialist, paralegal researcher, legal educator.

Ministry
A degree in speech communication is a top choice for students who plan to continue their education at a school of divinity. Verbal communication skills acquired as an undergraduate are directly applicable to needs of clergy.
Careers: minister, religious educator.

Broadcast
The technical skills needed for careers in radio and television are complemented by important skills in verbal communication for broadcast reporters and announcers. An internship or other practical experience as a student is nearly essential to finding employment.
Careers: reporter, news editor, camera operator, announcer, programmer, technician, advertising sales representative.

Journalism
A high level of competence in writing and editing is required for positions on newspapers and magazines. An internship or practical experience as a student is nearly essential to finding employment.
Careers: reporter, editor, photojournalist, advertising sales representative, business manager, circulation manager.

Advertising
Agency work is stimulating, challenging, rigorous and unstable. But for the right person, the rewards in money and satisfaction can be high. An internship or practical experience as a student is nearly essential to finding employment.
Careers: advertising professionals normally work for agencies or large corporate advertising departments. Jobs include account executive, account manager, media buyer, copywriter, designer, art director.

Book publishing
Publishers like communication graduates; they bring writing and editing skills particularly suited to the industry. Salaries tend to be lower than those in advertising and public relations, but many graduates prefer the satisfaction of working with books.
Careers: editor, production staff, publicist, book sales and marketing representative.

Education
Students combining a speech communication major with teacher education usually teach in secondary schools. A master's degree is often adequate for community colleges or small four-year colleges, while a Ph.D. is usually required for university faculty positions. The Chronicle of Higher Education has predicted that acute shortages of faculty are expected by the beginning of the next century.
Careers: high school teacher and/or forensic and debate coach, professor of communication.

Why restrict yourself?