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What Does a Career in Communications Entail?
A position in communications entails a professional level of skill in developing effective messaging that can reach many different groups. This includes the general public and any other audiences that an organization seeks to reach and engage and might be termed interculrutal communication, public relations, professional communication, organizational communication, strategic communication, social media communications, media writing, etc. This field includes elements of marketing, writing, journalism, business administration, and public administration. A job in communications can take you into private, public, or non-profit organizations. There are lines of communication that face outward to the public and other organizations - often called mass communication - and, in the same way, there are lines of communication that primarily face inward and reach employees and other members of the organization.
At nearly every level, this field is hands-on. Professionals may begin as entry-level, with an undergraduate communication degree, or they may be middle- or high-ranked employees with master’s degrees. The career of a communication professional builds on experience. When selecting a program of study, students should include a plan for internships and studies that promote learning by doing, especially online students who may not have as many hands-on learning experiences in their online program in communication studies. If prospective students still aren't sure what types of communication can be learned and taught, here is a short list.
- organizational communication
- interpersonal communication/interpersonal and public communication
- health communication
- intercultural communication
- business communication
- organizational and professional communication
- public speaking
- mass communication
- digital communication
- strategic communication
- organizational and corporate communication
- technical communication
- graphic communication
- social media communication
Components of A Successful Career In Communications
Communication Skills
Professionals with a communications degree must have quick and incisive minds. They must develop the art of critical self-assessment to keep their work/product relevant to its purpose, especially those in public relations or mass communication. The below-listed items represent communication skills you'll need for success in this field, nearly all of which can be learned in an in-person communications program or online communication degree.
- Attentive listening is the foundation for understanding and successful interpersonal relationships and is vital when dealing with consumer or employee needs and organizational communication.
- With today’s technological innovations, writing and oral presentations include evolving forms like video, imaging, and global marketing, which can be used in intercultural communication.
- Critical thinking and creativity are essential to problem-solving and undertsanding how to apply communication theory.
- Understanding the Internet and engagement in technological innovation is a relatively new part of communication studies, but is nonetheless vital.
Modern Communications Tools
In today’s public and private sector business environments, communication is often a computer-based activity rather than a public speaking activity. The use of software is everywhere in today’s work environments, and prospective students must be prepared to master the more common types, such as word processing and presentations. Research assistance software is also high on the list of necessary knowledge and this includes legal research software, data analytics, human resources, mass media, and social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. Students may want to consider that, what skills they have can affect their career options going forward.
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What is the difference between a Communications Specialist and a Communications Manager?
In a typical organizational structure, a manager has a higher position than a specialist. The specialist would usually work with one or more other specialists and work at the direction of a team leader or manager. They would handle tasks such as drafting press releases, preparing information and summaries, and developing messaging concepts.
The communications manager has more responsibility than a specialist, supervising a staff of employees, and having general control over communications functions. These functions include public relations, employee relations, external relations, and government communications. In today’s high-tech environments, digital communications may dominate traditional areas like advertising, branding, and customer relation content. Digital communications bring new opportunities and responsibilities for communications managers. They can involve international scopes of operations.
Typical Communications Degree Requirements
The typical educational requirement is an undergraduate communications degree, focused in a relevant subject area like public relations. There is a communications major, but it is a broad area that students can narrow into more specific areas within their online degree program such as marketing, social, or mass media communications, along with some schools that offer communications majors in digital communications.
Hands-on experience can be just as important as a communications degree with a specialization. Internships can open doors to jobs and careers. Projects, collaborations, and other real-world type experiences are excellent additions to a solid resume of education and coursework.
Typical Communication Certifications Needed or Recommended
There are no typical certification requirements for communications because the field is broad and the work situations vary. However, students that gain certification in certain tools and skill areas can have a significant advantage in the early career stages and on a long-term basis. These tools can include foreign language training, and experience with software systems and applications. Certification is proof of skills, training, and knowledge and demonstrates a commitment to learning and self-improvement.
Academic Standards for a Communications Degree :
- The Online Associate Degree in Communications requires about 60 credit hours of accredited coursework.
- The Bachelor’s Degree in Communications can be either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. The B.A. Communications degree is a well-rounded approach featuring literature, general knowledge, and cultural studies. The B.S. degree emphasizes math, science, and information technology. The communications degree requires about 120 credit hours of which 60 hours are in required general education coursework. Communications or related majors require 30 credit hours and completion of a designated core of coursework.
- The online Master’s Degree in Communications requires a degree in communications or a related field. Students can complete the typical master’s curriculum in 12 to 24 months. If done online or part-time, then the course completion can vary from one year up to six years at some institutions.
Important Questions to Ask (FAQ)
How long does it take to earn a Communications bachelor's degree online?
A communications degree can be a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science. Students can typically complete either type of degree in four years of full-time study either online, on-campus, or in a combination of both. Many part-time students take more time to complete their degree than full-time attendees, and a term of six to eight years is well within the range of typical experiences. Another option to consider to complete your bachelors or masters education in a faster time frame is an online accelerated communications program. When selecting a school, students should assess their potential for finishing the degree within the period permitted. Working parents, business owners, and caregivers are among the many types of students that require more than four years to complete a degree in communications. The time spent is justified by the career advantages for improving an existing profession or entering a new line of work or business.
How much does a Communications bachelor’s degree online cost?
The average costs of an undergraduate degree depend on the school and location because the cost of living varies with the city, state, or region. The average for the 2017-18 school year was $35,000 for private four-year schools, $9,970 for in-state students at public schools, and $25,620 for out-of-state students at public schools.
Communications Bachelor's Degree Coursework
The titles of courses vary from school to school, but the core subjects include the below.
- Media, Culture, and Societies
- Introduction to Communications
- Writing
- Economics courses
- Communications Policy and Regulation
- Research Methods for Communication
- Media Processes and Effects
- Journalism and Law
- News and Reporting
- Digital Media
- Elective areas include International Business, Marketing, Business Management, Business Organizations, Politics, and Public Administration.
Does the school have the major(s) you’re considering?
Communications includes many business major disciplines like economics, public relations, advertising and marketing. The field of communications is broad. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) includes ten occupations including writers, technical writers, reporters, and news analysts. Given the wide range of occupations in the field of communications, students should determine whether the school under consideration has the preferred major courses of study. Communications includes technical, broadcast, and media subjects; it also has traditional topics like advertising, marketing, and public relations.
How many students graduate “on time,” in four years?
The average attendance figures show a trend towards longer tenure at four-year schools. Students should look up the graduation rate of the schools under consideration. The graduation rate is a significant predictor of your experience. The US Department of Education offers the College Scoreboard; this portal provides transparency on the costs of education. The significant national trend is towards longer periods of attendance that push the typical experience towards the six-year completion level rather than the traditional four-year pattern. Four-year public institutions show 35% graduate in four years while 58.6% finish at the six-year mark. Four-year private schools show a 53% graduation rate at four years and 58.6% at the six-year marker. The additional time spent in matriculation adds to the costs of a four-year degree and can greatly increase student debt at graduation.
What kind of accreditation does the online program hold? How is it regarded in the field?
Accreditation is an essential part of getting a degree. It affects the value of the degree because it promotes acceptance of educational achievement by a wide group of employers, businesses, governments, and educational institutions.
There are two types of accreditation; they are institutional accreditation and program accreditation. Institutional accreditation looks at the entire school, and program accreditation looks at one program within the school.
Institutional accreditation, in turn, has two branches- the national and regional accreditation.
- Regional accreditation is often considered the best. This type of accreditation covers most of the top colleges and universities in the US. Regional accreditation covers most research-based public and private colleges and universities.
- National accreditation covers non-traditional schools including online schools. It looks to a national framework for comparing schools rather than a specific region. National accreditation has two branches; they are the career or technical schools and the faith-based institutions. National accreditation is not as widely accepted as regional accreditation. Most employers and government programs accept national accreditation although some regionally accredited schools do not accept credits from nationally accredited schools.
- Program Accreditation covers a specific academic program such as a master’s degree in Business Communications. Program accreditation has the same positive impact on jobs, salary, and outlook as regional accreditation.
Professional Communications Organizations
NAB
NAB
The National Association of Broadcasters is an advocacy group that promotes radio and television communications. The association provides education, training, and fosters innovation that improves communications content and methodology. The NAB offers unique advantages for students and young professionals for networking, learning, and opening career paths.
SPJ
SPJ
The Society of Professional Journalists hosts a student branch of the organization that opens its resources for aspiring print, media, and digital journalists.
NCA
NCA
The National Communication Association is an organization that studies and promotes communications as a discipline. NCA works with teachers, students, and practitioners supporting research, networking, and information. The NCA promotes communication as a tool for improving the quality of life through free and ethical communications.
AWC
AWC
The Association of Women in Communications is an organization that promotes the role of women in the vital communications industry. AWC was founded in 1909 at the University of Washington. The advocacy organization seeks to promote innovation and women’s involvement in communications. AWC offers scholarships, education, and training in addition to networking opportunities.
DCN
DCN
The Digital Communications Network represents thousands of participants from various backgrounds and from more than 30 countries. The Network tackles the tough and intriguing problem of the impact of digital communications on modern societies. The DCN offers networking, thought leadership, and education on trends and shifts in the communications industry. This includes critical assessments of the usages of modern communications in the information age.