What Can You Do With a Communications Degree?
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.
What can you do with a communications degree, specifically? There are a variety of career options to choose from. Consider where your other strengths and passions lie and find an industry and occupation that suits you.
In This Article:
- Careers in Communications
- The Benefits of Pursuing a Communications Degree
- Pursue a Communications Degree at GCU
Careers in Communications
There is a diverse range of jobs you can get with a communications degree. Indeed, communications majors are taught a variety of highly transferable skills that may 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, including:
- Social media specialist
- Marketing manager
- Account manager
- Content strategist
- Brand strategist
- Content marketing manager
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. Some marketing professionals are self-employed.1
Salary expectations can vary depending on the specific occupation, years of experience and other factors. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), advertising, promotions and marketing managers had a median annual wage of $156,580 as of May 2023.2 It is important to note these are not entry level positions.
What Can You Do With a Communications Degree in Media?
The media field is incredibly broad and diverse, which means there are many potential communications-related 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
- Business reporter
Salary expectations can depend on many factors, including the specific type of occupation a person pursues within the media field. According to the BLS, news analysts, reporters and journalists had a median annual wage of $57,500 as of May 2023.3
Jobs You Can Get With a Communications Degree in Public Relations (PR)
Another potential route for a communications major is to work in public relations. 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 this degree program teaches written and oral communication skills. Aspiring PR specialists should also have good interpersonal and organizational skills.4
According to the BLS, public relations specialists had a median annual wage of $66,750 as of May 2023.5
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 professional development 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.6
According to the BLS, human resources specialists had a median annual wage of $66,750 as of May 2023.7
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 position themselves to apply to high-level and specialized positions.
For instance, a communications major might have their sights set on law school. The ability 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.8 According to the BLS, lawyers had a median annual wage of $145,760 as of May 2023.9
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. Keep in mind that victim advocates typically require licensure, as they are also considered social workers.
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 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 nonprofit.
Pursue a Communications Degree at GCU
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, available online or on campus. Or, continue your studies with a Master of Arts in Communications with an Emphasis in Education. To learn more about pursuing an education at GCU, complete the form on this page to connect with a university counselor.
1 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, Aug. 29). Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers: Work Environment. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Dec. 22, 2024.
2 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers as of May 2023, retrieved on Dec. 22, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
3 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists as of May 2023, retrieved on Dec. 22, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
4 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, Aug. 29). How to Become a Public Relations Specialist. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Dec. 22, 2024.
5 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Public Relations Specialists as of May 2023, retrieved on Dec. 22, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as Public Relations Specialists, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
6 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, Aug. 29). How to Become a Human Resources Specialist. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Dec. 22, 2024.
7 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Human Resources Specialists as of May 2023, retrieved on Dec. 22, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as Human Resources Specialists, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
8 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, Aug. 29). How to Become a Lawyer. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Dec. 22, 2024.
9 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Lawyers as of May 2023, retrieved on Dec. 22, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as Lawyers, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
Approved and verified accurate by the assistant dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences on Feb. 5, 2025.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.
