As a communications major, you may not realize it but you possess a very unique and in-demand skill. The chances of your job being automated are very slim, and people like you are needed at every level. You’d be surprised at the number of opportunities that could be open to you and the type of positions you could fill. To inspire you, we decided to list some great career options for communications majors, some more unusual than others.
Digital Marketer
You wouldn’t expect someone with a communications major to do well in a techy field like digital marketing, but they do have a skill set that can make them great marketers. Most of the marketing today is very social and personalized in nature, and someone with a communications major knows how to deliver a message. They know intuitively how to connect with their audience. This is a very valuable skill to have.
Not only that, but you will be filling an important void in this space. Many in online marketing simply aren’t skilled at communicating and connecting at the human level. But by getting something like a masters in digital marketing and data analysis, you could become a very potent triple threat. If you want to get more information about why these are so perfect for communications majors, you can check out this page.
You would then have the skills to create your own message, deliver it, and understand its impacts. Not only that, but you’ll be able to bring both creativity and an analytical mind. Communications majors also naturally equipped to excel in these programs as they usually have the critical and analytical skills needed.
Social Media Manager
Being a communications major gives you the perfect set of skills to thrive as a social media manager. One of the challenges brands have today is communicating in a way that reaches audiences without being perceived as off-tone or offensive. They also want their message to sound authentic. Who better than a communications major to fill that role?
This is also where having a digital marketing and analytics background could help. You’ll be able to analyze data and tweak your campaigns in a way others in your role won’t. You’ll be able to use different voices to really understand which part of your message may be sticking. This is a very fine skill that will make you a very valuable asset to any team.
Health Educator
Healthcare is another field many people in communications don’t think about but is ripe with opportunities. They also play a very crucial role. The world is in great need of health educators at the moment, and always has been. As a health educator, you get to touch people at many levels, be it local, regional, or international.
You might be asked to work with certain demographics, or groups. You may teach them through special events or seminars. The most important part is being able to understand your audience and crafting a message for them, which is something you’ve been formed to do. This is the perfect option for those who want to make a real difference on the ground.
Event Planner
If you’re looking for something fun and you have good organizational skills, then you should definitely think about working in the event planning industry. Communications majors have many attributes that make them perfect for the job.
First of all, being able to communicate with your team is very crucial. Knowing which tone to use with every person is a very important skill that few possess. You’ll be able to mobilize and motivate your troops and make sure that all instructions are clear.
Event planning has a heavy marketing component as well. Not only will you have to advertise events, but you’ll also need to promote brands if you decide to bring in sponsors. Also, working with sponsors will come naturally to you and you’ll know how to pitch events to them.
PR Specialist
This is probably the first field communications majors think about, and it’s a vibrant one. Companies will always look for people to help them put out fires and rebuild their brand. Communications majors have all the skills needed to mold the public’s perception of a brand. You also may work on writing press releases, organizing conferences, or pitching stories to the media.
Also, know that there are tons of fields where you could work. Many decide to work with non-profits, for instance. You may be asked to work on fundraising events and efforts, which can be extremely fulfilling. Others decide to work as spokespeople for public organizations. A very diverse field with tons of opportunities and prospects for the future.
Human Resources
Human Resources is a very stimulating field and is about more than simply giving interviews. As a human resources manager, you will be the link between the managers and the c-suite, and the employees. You will need to switch your communication style depending on the audience or the individual. This is a field someone with a communications major will do very well in.
You also have to come up with initiatives to motivate your team. You might need to resolve conflicts between employees, or between employees and upper management. Your skill will also come in handy when crafting job listings. This is a very good job if you like variety and working with people.
Business Reporter
As you may know, reporters don’t necessarily need to know everything about their field. If you have an interest in finance, then you could consider working as a business reporter. Financial media outlets are proliferating, and there is plenty of work if you’re motivated and are ready to get at least a basic financial education.
Brand Manager
As a brand manager, your job will be to oversee the positioning of services or products in the public’s mind. Their job is to assess the public’s reaction to things like new marketing campaigns, changes in price, packaging, consumer experience, accessibility, etc. Brand managers will also be asked to work directly on promotional campaigns.
Brand managers need to have good communication skills in order so they can bring sales and marketing teams together. Communications majors also have the critical eye needed to evaluate commercials, ads, and marketing copy.
Sales Representative
Working as a sales representative is a great way to use your natural skills as a communicator. You know how to sell better than anyone else and literally have it down to a science. Negotiation will also come naturally to you. You’ll know how to read someone’s body language, and when you might need to sweeten the deal for them. These are all things that you could make you a very successful salesperson. This is also a field where you can make a great income fast, depending on your skills, industry, and the time you put in.
Consultant
Consulting is another very common field for communications major. You have to be able to get your message across, and communications majors are better equipped than anyone to do that. Getting extra qualifications in your field of interest will be important if you want to be taken seriously, and from then on, all you need is experience and building a list of references.
Copywriter
If you’re the creative type and you want to work in a field where you can enjoy some freedom, then we strongly consider you start looking at copywriting jobs. You could either decide to work on a salary or work independently.
There are tons of brands who are looking for people with a natural eye for copy, and you can work on all types of content. You may be asked to write for a blog, for instance. Or you could work on creating email marketing campaigns. This is a very diverse field and one that is needed in a variety of fields.
Influencer
People may laugh and have a bad idea of the term, but influencers can play a very important role. They aren’t only selling flat tummy teas; you have influencers working in fields like science and technology, the environment, or for major causes. An influencer is simply someone who uses their platforms to communicate a message, and anyone with a communications degree will have the tools needed to set themselves apart.
Since you already are a great communicator and have journalistic skills, creating compelling content that connects with your audience will be a breeze. You’ll also be able to get tangible results for your partners, which will allow you to expand your reach. This can be a very exciting and fulfilling field, and you could end up being very successful. Not only that but you’ll be able to build a very strong brand for yourself which you could use as a springboard to other ventures.
As you can see, there are tons of great roles that you can fill with a communications major. What’s great is that many allow you to work as your own person or as part of a team. All you have to do is be open and consider opportunities outside of your direct field of expertise.
