Top 8 Jobs for Communications Majors

If you have an undergraduate degree in communications, there are many jobs available to you—no matter if you’re a recent grad or experienced professional looking to switch careers. Here are the top eight jobs for people with communications degrees. 

1. Public Relations Specialist

Public relations specialists promote their companies’ ideas and products. They often create surveys to determine customer satisfaction. Public relations specialists also make sure their companies are portrayed positively in social media and other types of media. A public relations specialist may need to create press releases and other forms of written communication directed towards the public and other businesses. If there’s a crisis, the public relations specialist will be expected to handle the situation and put a positive spin on the events.

2. Technical Writer

Technical writers can freelance or work for a company. Technical writers create content for business publications. They write articles for magazines, create newsletters, redesign menus, write instruction manuals, write press releases, and more. Any document a company puts out to the public needs a technical writer to create it. Because you have had experience with different types of communication, you should be able to choose the right voice and style for each piece of content you create.

3. Human Resources Professionals

Human resources professionals convey new changes in policy to staff, help orient new employees, create newsletters, and explain benefits. Having a communications degree as well as a specialized degree—such as psychology or Jewish education—could help you better understand employees and find new talent. As a human resources professional, you'll use your strong writing and speaking skills when communicating one-on-one and with small groups. You’ll also use your written and verbal skills when interviewing and corresponding with potential candidates.

4. Communications Coordinator

Communications coordinators work with companies’ advertising and marketing departments to coordinate all outgoing communications. They oversee and write public relations, marketing, and advertising pieces. Communications majors were built for this position. You’ll use your verbal and written skills to help coordinate among departments within a company. Many types of organizations use communications coordinators to keep their public relations and marketing on track. 

5. Event Planner

Event planners coordinate events. From the catering to the music to the venue, they’re on top of everything, making sure events run smoothly. Being able to communicate well with wait staff, managers, and corporate managers will help you in this field. You’ll use your communication and organizational skills to make sure your customers are satisfied with the event you produce. 

6. Sales 

Sales positions involve a lot of communication with clients. So the ability to communicate clearly and precisely is essential to success. People in sales want to make sure their clients are happy and satisfied with what they’ve purchased. A background in communications will allow you to make sure you’re communicating everything to the client in a way they understand. 

7. Healthcare Professional

Healthcare is a growing field in dire need of people with communication degrees. The health industry’s main goal is to promote healthy lifestyles to people and to help people who are sick. You'll need to use your communication skills to make sure people understand what a healthcare company is trying to convey to them. If someone is sick and they need special treatment, you'll need to explain what they need and how to get it. You may be in charge of setting up health fairs and talking to the public about healthy lifestyle choices. You'll also tailor your discussions to fit the group you're conversing with.

8. Reporter

Communications majors have certain skill sets that often make them outstanding reporters. They have the ability to perform research, do journalistic writing, and communicate in writing or face-to-face. As a reporter, you can use your skills to help people understand what’s going on in the world. Being able to take large concepts and reduce them to sound bites is within your skill level. Going to a scene and describing what’s happening in the heat of the moment is within your reach. You have strong interpersonal skills that you can use in interviews and finding out key information. As a reporter, you can use these skills to broaden people’s horizons, and help them comprehend issues that might affect both them and their families.

Jane Hurst is a writer, editor, and avid traveler from San Francisco, Calif. Find her at About.me.