Communications Degree Careers

Communication is a valuable skill that relates to all aspects of life, and it is especially valuable in the workplace. Whether it be for selling a product, building relationships with customers or leading organizations, effective communicators are needed in every industry.

In This Article:

• What Can I Do With a Communications Degree?
• Communications Degree Careers in Marketing
• What Can I Do With a Communications Degree in Media?
• Jobs With a Communications Degree in Public Relations (PR)
• What Can You Do With a Degree in Communications in Human Resources?
• Communications-Related Jobs in the Legal Field
• The Benefits of Pursuing a Communications Degree

What Can I Do With a Communications Degree?

So, what can you do with a degree in communications? There is a diverse range of communications degree careers to consider pursuing — from work in marketing to the media field to human resources. Indeed, communications majors are taught a variety of highly transferrable skills that can serve them well across industries and sectors. Here’s a look at some of the career options you might pursue.

Communications Degree Careers in Marketing

A person with a communications degree may be valuable in the field of marketing. They can use their verbal and written skills to communicate effectively with customers, coworkers and clients. This is often done through press releases, advertisements, company presentations and other marketing campaigns.

There are many possible career options within the marketing field. Some examples of jobs with a communications degree include the following:

• Copywriter
• Social media specialist
• Marketing manager
• Account manager
• Content strategist

Marketing professionals may work at an in-house marketing department within a corporation. Alternatively, they may work for a marketing agency, where they contribute to the marketing efforts of a range of client companies.

What Can I Do With a Communications Degree in Media?

The media field is incredibly broad and diverse, which means there are many potential communications degree careers. This field encompasses everything from journalism and broadcasting (both TV and radio) to print media, digital media and publishing, as well as cinema. New media, or digital media, in particular has transformed modern life in a way that fuels global communications in real-time.

Depending on which particular niche in media you choose, your primary purpose may be to either inform or entertain the audience. Here’s a look at some of the career possibilities within the media field:

• Print/digital publications journalist, including niche areas like sports journalism
• TV broadcaster
• Photojournalist
• News analyst
• TV producer
• Art director
• Editor

Jobs With a Communications Degree in Public Relations (PR)

Another potential route for a communications major is to work in public relations. As a PR specialist, you might pursue work in any sector or industry. You might work for the PR arm of an organization or a PR agency.

The primary responsibility of a PR specialist is to portray the client or organization in a positive light. To that end, a PR specialist might do anything from writing press releases to arranging press conferences to preparing a client to excel in a televised interview. PR specialists must maintain strong working relationships with members of the media and maintain a positive relationship between a business and its clients.

A communications major can be a candidate for a PR position because of their strong written and oral communication skills, and their ability to persuade and interact with a variety of people.¹

What Can You Do With a Degree in Communications in Human Resources?

Another field a communications major might consider is human resources (HR). The HR department in any business is important in promoting ethics in the workplace, as well as ensuring employees are performing well and have access to resources. For example, an HR specialist recruits, interviews and hires job candidates and answers any employee questions concerning company policies and benefits. A communications degree may help prepare you for an HR career, as it teaches interpersonal skills and organizational communication.²

Communications-Related Jobs in the Legal Field

With a communications degree, graduates can be prepared to pursue additional professional training, licensure or further academic qualifications. This may qualify them to apply to high-level and specialized positions. For instance, a communications major might have their sights set on law school. The abilities to speak clearly and write effectively are essential skills for aspiring lawyers. Not only must lawyers clearly present their cases in the courtroom, they must also collaborate with clients and co-workers.³

A second possibility is becoming a paralegal. Paralegals play an important role in the legal system, and communication and interpersonal skills are vital for them.⁴ These professionals can perform many of the same tasks as lawyers, although they do not represent clients in the courtroom.

Another career possibility within the legal field for communications majors is the role of victim advocate. These professionals provide a range of support services to victims of crimes, including counseling, crisis intervention and assistance navigating the criminal justice system. They stand with victims during court proceedings, help them secure community resources and sometimes even provide transportation, such as when a domestic violence victim needs help getting to a shelter.

The Benefits of Pursuing a Communications Degree

In addition to potentially opening doors to a variety of career opportunities, a communications degree can provide a great foundation to build upon for those wanting to further their education. For example, a communications major may earn their master’s degree to position themselves for possible career advancement.

The opportunities are vast for those who major in communications. The knowledge taught in a communications degree program can be applied to a variety of settings, which may give graduates the opportunity to try their hand at various types of jobs throughout their lifetime. In addition, communications skills are needed across sectors — from public to private to governmental.

Grand Canyon University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences offers a variety of language and communication degree programs, including a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. This communications degree is available online or on campus. To learn more about pursuing an education at GCU, complete the form on this page to connect with a university counselor.