Career Fields (Communication Studies Major)

A degree in communications is based on the study of language and rhetoric (skill or art of using language effectively) and on ways of utilizing these two for the benefit of the society. It focuses on communication skills based on both oral and written forms. It is also involved in the study of people’s behavioral communications in a variety of formats and situations. Because it majorly focuses on the improvements of communication skills of the students, they are more likely to be easily hired in almost every company that they apply to after their graduation. Communication skills are essential in many industries today, such as: business, government, education, media, manufacturing politics, etc. This huge availability for various career opportunities makes it easy for a communication graduate to find a place or function in our society today. Five (5) of the most popular career fields for a communication studies major are specified below.

An Opportunity for Studying Law

For someone who wishes to become a lawyer, like me, it must be noted that four (4) years of “pre-law” undergraduate major study is required before one could pursue three (3) years of study in law school. Afterwards, a qualification in the bar examinations is required before one could be proclaimed as a professional lawyer. Aside from this, any potential lawyer should develop expertise in reading, writing, researching, analyzing and logical thinking. Although the study of law does not necessarily require any specific “pre-law” studies, students of communications, English and foreign languages, public speaking, philosophy, history, mathematics, etc. are just some of the prospective student applicants for law. Lawyers’ nature of work essentially requires speaking in front of a large public and convincing them into the argument with which he/she is trying to defend or contradict. This is where communications studies major have a good edge among the many other qualified undergraduate studies.

If one had already passed the licensure examination, a new door of variety of application of law will be opened to the bar examinee passer. A lawyer’s job depends on his field of specialization or position. All lawyers have licenses to represent or defend parties in judicial courts but there are also some who practice their profession outside the courtroom. Examples of such are trial lawyers who conduct outside interviews and investigations among clients and witnesses for the preparation of an argument in trial. Potential growths of a lawyer may be through areas of specialties of holding cases such as in banking and finance, international issues, civil or criminal laws, environmental laws, and many others.

This course of path interests me a lot. After my communication studies, I personally plan to pursue the study of law. Aside from the high potential salary earnings, I would like to become a lawyer because I enjoy much on having the ability to combine rhetoric with argument presentation for its defense and/or criticism. I can see myself applying effectively the knowledge and skills I have developed in my communication studies in the practice of law. However, I still do not have a clear vision of what specialization I would want to be engaged in after I pass the bar examinations.

Salaries of experienced lawyers vary generally according to the type, size, and location of their employers. Lawyers who own their own legal firms usually earn less than those who are partners in law firms. The employment for lawyers is expected to depict a thirteen (13) percent rise from 2008-2018. This growth on lawyers’ employment results to their range from the highest median salary of $84,036 (for corporate lawyers) to lowest median salary of $53,148 (for higher education lawyers) according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (2009).

Public Relations Specialists


The construction of any organization’s reputation, productivity and its persistence largely depend on the support of targeted audiences or public with its [organization’s] aims and policies. With this, mediators known as public relations specialists or media specialists or communications specialists are needed by client organizations who seek to build and maintain good positive relations with the public. Such clients include non-profit organizations, universities, businesses, hospitals and other organizations. Managers of such institutions relatively depend on the advice of public relations specialists on how to effectively execute strategies and policies on the communications of their organization.

A bachelor’s degree in a communications-related study combined with public relations experience is excellent training ground for a person interested in the field of public relations. Some organizations with large public relations staff sponsor formal training programs before a new employee could be absorbed. For smaller organizations, though, new employees are trained under the guidance of a superior staff member. Any media specialist aspirant must have an outgoing personality, good motivating quality and a keen understanding of human psychology. Skills on decision-making, problem-solving, team-building and research are also recorded on the potential growths of someone in the position of public relations specialist.

There is an expected twenty-four (24) percent growth in the employment of public relations specialists from 2008-2018. This growth in this field’s employment may affect the current annual median salary range of $55,530 (for those involved in management of companies and enterprises) to $46,660 (for those employed in academic institutions) as recorded by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (2009).

Writer Potentials

Writing is one of the oldest career fields throughout our history. History itself largely involves writings and publications. With the onset of the new age of technology, online publications and services are becoming more popular. Employment of authors, writers and editors is expected to have an eight (8) percent rise from 2008-2018. A large demand for editors and writers are thus called forth. Because there is a vast competition on the employment of writers and because writing essentially requires good communication skills, applicants and/or aspirants with a college degree in communications, journalism and English are much more preferable. Skills with computers and other communications equipment is important for a writer to keep in touch with sources, editors, and other writers while working on assignments from home, office, or even when traveling.

For writers who wish to focus on a certain field of interest, a formal training or experience on the selected topic is a requirement. Most training and experiences are acquired through a work involved in print, television, radio, film, photography or electronic media. Potential growths of writers are seen on the advancements of their reputations and position in the writing field (in the case of writers who become editors).

Salaries of writers range from $25,000 per year (for newly employed writers) to $66,000 per year (for a busy freelance writer) according to the updated records of ehow.com (2010).

Broadcasting Industry

Radio stations and television network make up the broadcasting industry. These media put on air a selection of programs of news, talk shows, music, movies and entertainment, be it local, national or international. A college degree is required for the professional, management and sales positions in broadcasting industries. Job opportunities are best for applicants with a college degree in broadcasting, journalism, or any communications-related field, and relevant experience, such as work at college radio and television stations or internships at professional stations is also an advantage. In terms of training program, broadcasters are often less willing to give training for new employees and search instead applicants who can do the job right away. Because competitions on a position in a broadcast industry are hard nowadays, aspirants need to work doubly hard and seek training for them to be able to be a part of the glamorous industry.

According again to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (2009), employment in broadcasting is seen to increase by seven (7) percent from the 2008-2018. The median hourly wages expected from largest occupations in broadcasting range from $11.89 per hour (for office clerks) to $46.94 per hour (for general and operations managers). For nonsupervisory workers, they earn $852 per week compared to those working in the private industries who earn a slightly lower salary of $608 per week.

Publishers

The publishing industry caters to numerous publications whether electronically or manually. Such publishing include magazines, books, newspapers, etc. The most important quality that an aspirant publisher must have is the ability to communicate well. A degree on advertising, sales and marketing positions gain clients’ confidence on meetings and dealings. Courses in marketing, communication, advertising and business are mostly helpful for this type of career. Because we now live in the era of computers and internet, computer literacy is extremely important. Knowledge of desktop publishing software and basic multimedia program is also found to be of help for someone in this position. Most job positions in the publishing industry require experience especially in newspaper, magazine or book-publishing companies. Experience is earned through internship in a publishing company or by way of penetration through freelance work.

Employment in the manual publishing sector is projected to decline by nineteen (19) percent for the period of 2008-2018. But this decline is regained in the projected growth of forty-five (45) percent in the electronic or desktop publishing industries for the same period of 2008-2018. Median annual salary of manual publishers show range from $62,421 (for senior editors) to $30,263 (for editorial assistants) as recorded by payscale.com (2009). Consequently, desktop publishers’ median annual salary range of $59,210 to less than $21,860, from US Bureau of Labor Statistics (2009), is expected to rise due to the expected employment growth over the years.


References

Authors, Writers, and Editors. (2009, December 17). Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition. Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos320.htm

Broadcasting. (2009, December 17). Career Guide to Industries, 2010-11 Edition. Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs017.htm#training

Desktop Publishers. (2009, December 17). Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition. Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos276.htm#earnings

Guide to College Majors in Communications. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.worldwidelearn.com/online-education- guide/business/communications-major.htm

Lawyers. (2009, December 17). Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition. Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos053.htm#training

Pearson, Vivian. (2010). Salary Range for Lawyers. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/facts_4928522_salary-range-lawyers.html

Publishing, Except Software. (2009, December 17). Career Guide to Industries, 2010-11 Edition. Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos276.htm#earnings

Publishing Industry Salary, Average Salaries. (2010, June 14). Retrieved from http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Industry=Publishing/Salary

Public Relations Specialists. (2009, December 17). Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition. Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos086.htm

Tobak, Steve. (2009, December 17). The Next Decade’s Top 10 Growth Industries [Web log comment]. Retrieved from http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/ (2010, June 15).

What is the Salary Range for Writers. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/about_5408397_salary-range-grant-writers_.html