Within the communications field, there is a broad spectrum of employment opportunities including journalism, publishing, advertising and other types of mass communications. Communications may be a good career choice if you possess solid writing and editing skills, can work under pressure and collaborate with a team. Excellent interpersonal communication skills are also necessary, as your job may involve presenting ideas to both clients and the public.
People in the communications field are generally required to produce a high volume of written output, whether in the form of articles for public consumption or proposals for advertising projects. Specific job requirements depend on your field of specialization. People in publishing or advertising may be responsible for collaborating on the layout or design of a newspaper or magazine. Those involved in television may be responsible for creating or editing content, overseeing the production of commercials or television journalism.
A Bachelor of Communication Studies is often a four-year program that provides basic skills in the area of communication. A communications degree prepares you to share your thoughts and ideas with others in an articulate manner, and can therefore be a stepping-stone to a variety of other careers.
Many schools that offer bachelor and master's degrees in communications studies allow you to tailor your degree to your particular area of interest. This is important because the content of these specialized courses are very different for a person studying advertising as opposed to someone more interested in broadcast journalism. Work experience at a college or town newspaper or writing web content can also help you secure a job in mass communications.
Education and work experience go hand-in-hand for advancement in the communications field. While you obtain your communications degree (and perhaps even after you graduate), your college or university may be able to provide you with opportunities to participate in internships and make industry contacts that may help you land a job in the future. If you're interested in print journalism, you may have to put in time writing shorter or more low-interest features to prove your skills and commitment before receiving a major assignment.