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Communication Studies
When employers are asked what skills they value most highly in their employees, communication skills invariably appear at or near the top of the list. The communication arts major, with its emphasis on interpersonal, group, organizational and mass communication processes, develops in the student a command of the spoken, written and visual media so prized by employers.
In addition, the student learns to persuade; to influence and to negotiate; to generate and adapt ideas; to design projects and develop programs; and to plan organize, evaluate and solve problems. The graduate of the Communication Studies program is a communications generalist who can apply her/his knowledge and skills in a variety of settings.
OCCUPATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Advertising copywriter
Advertising media buyer/researcher
Biographer
Business/industrial information specialist
College/university relations officer
Columnist
Copy editor
Disc jockey
Editor
Journalist
Lawyer
Lobbyist
Magazine writer
Media specialist
Press representative for elected officials
Press secretary
Promotions specialist
Proofreader
Public relations representative
Reporter for newspaper or radio
Sales representative
Script writer
Speech writer
Teacher
Technical writer
TV reporter/anchor
TV/radio producer
Writer for in-house publications in business, industry, and non-profits
*Some positions may require additional education and/or training.
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
Employment of advertising, marketing, promotions, public relations, and sales managers is expected to increase by 12 percent from 2006 through 2016. College graduates with related experience, a high level of creativity, and strong communication skills should have the best job opportunities. (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos020.htm)
POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS
Advertising agencies
Business and industry Libraries
Local, state and federal government
Magazines
Newspapers
Public relations firms
Publishing houses
Schools
TV and radio stations
SOURCES FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Books (* denotes books available in the Career Center Library)
- Camenson, Blythe. Great Jobs for Communications Majors, Lincolnwood, IL: VGM Career Books, 2002.
- Foote-Smith, Elizabeth. Opportunities in Writing Careers, New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2006.
- Guiley, Rosemary. Career Opportunities for Writers, New York, NY: Facts on File, 2000.
- *Gurvis, Sandra. Careers for Non-Conformists, New York, NY: Marlowe and Company, 2000.
- *Morkes, Andrew, editor. Ferguson's Careers in Focus: Writing, Chicago, IL: Ferguson Publishing Co., 2003.
- Paradis, Adrian A. Careers for Caring People and Other Sensitive Types, Lincolnwood, IL: VGM Career Books,
2003.
- Pattis, S. William. Careers in Advertising, Lincolnwood, IL: VGM Career Series, 2004.
- Rotman, Morris B. Opportunities in Public Relations Careers, Lincolnwood, IL: VGM Career Series, 2001.
- *Shonan, F.R. Noronha. Careers in Communications, Lincolnwood, IL: VGM Career Horizons, 2000.
- Stair, Lila B. & Stair, Leslie. Careers in Marketing, Lincolnwood, IL: VGM Career Books, 2002.
Professional Associations
- American Society of Journalists and Authors, 1501 Broadway, Suite 302, New York, NY 10036, http://www.asja.org.
- International Association of Business Communicators, One Hallidie Plaza, Suite 600, San Francisco, CA 94102,
http://www.iabc.com.
- International Institute of Communications, Regent House, 24-25 Nutford Place, London W1H 5YN,
http://www.iicom.org.
- National Association of Broadcasters,1771 N Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036, http:// www.nab.org.
- Public Relations Society of America, 33 Maiden Lane, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10038-5150, http://www.prsa.org.
- Society of Professional Journalists, 3909 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208, http://www.spj.org.
Web sites
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