If you are trying to advance or shift your profession and have already got your bachelor’s diploma, transferring ahead with a grasp’s could also be the next step. A grasp’s in communication affords you a extra centered schooling, advancing you towards your private {and professional} objectives.
Communication is utilized in each area, and a communication diploma can put together you for employment throughout broad industries, similar to advertising and marketing, journalism, media relations and extra. Your grasp’s in communication can give you a specialised schooling to arrange you for your present job or your required profession.
Master’s in communication graduate Rachel Bishop ’20G, who works as a content material advertising and marketing supervisor for a software program firm, is aware of the significance of getting your diploma.
“Having a grasp’s diploma not solely exhibits that you have mastered the basics in the sphere, but additionally that you simply had the motivation, the self-discipline and the braveness to set a hefty aim and work arduous till you achieved it,” she mentioned.
A grasp’s diploma may help you to face out amongst your friends in your profession area and may very well be the catalyst that will get you forward.
What Jobs Can You Get with a Communications Degree?
The information and expertise you’ll be taught throughout your communication diploma can give you the instruments wanted to work throughout numerous industries. You can be taught expertise similar to considering each critically and creatively, and be a greater communicator by your written, oral and visible communication.
Bryan Womack ’15G, WJZ 13 CBS News video editor and communication graduate, mentioned by his expertise that communication expertise are key in a piece atmosphere – regardless of how huge or small your function could also be. Being capable of correctly talk, particularly in teams, is essential.
The demand for employment in the media and communication area is quickly altering and is projected to develop 14% from 2020 to 2030, which is quicker than common for different fields, in response to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The median annual wage for employees in this area was $62,240 in 2021, which is larger than the median yearly wage of $45,760 for all different fields of employment.
“I’ve seen quite a lot of openings for typical communication roles, similar to communication specialists, outreach managers, and so forth,” mentioned Bishop. “Many firms will fortunately settle for functions from individuals who have earned a communication diploma—which, once more, is a testomony to how versatile the diploma is.”
Some common careers for individuals with a communications diploma embrace:
Journalists: As a journalist or a reporter, your major job is to speak and share information tales with the general public. You’ll have to know do correct analysis, analyze and interpret data, interview individuals and write information tales whereas staying updated with present occasions and world tendencies. In 2021 journalists earned a median wage of $48,370, and there’s projected to be a 6% job development from 2020 to 2030.
Marketing Manager: A advertising and marketing supervisor’s function is to construct an consciousness of the corporate by creating and executing methods to satisfy buyer wants whereas additionally wanting for new methods to maximise earnings. They consider the demand for a corporation’s providers or merchandise, how they will greatest market their very own items, and the way the corporate compares in opposition to its rivals. With anticipated 10% job development by 2030, advertising and marketing managers earned a median wage of $133,380 in 2021.
Public Relations Specialist: Public relations specialists guarantee a corporation’s public picture is constructive and that the model worth stays intact. They write media releases, draft speeches and social media posts, reply to the media and extra. In 2021 the median wage for public relations specialists was $62,800, with an 11% job development projected by 2030.
Postsecondary Teacher: A postsecondary trainer, or professor, can train a number of completely different tutorial topics, sometimes at a public or personal college. They create tutorial plans for the scholars, design classes and train programs whereas staying updated with the most recent tendencies and improvements in their area. In 2021, postsecondary lecturers earned a median wage of $79,640. There can be a 12% projected job development in this area by 2030.
Social Media Manager: Working in this function, you are a model’s voice by social media. You characterize your organization throughout completely different social media channels, speaking with the general public by posts, feedback, movies, and extra. According to Indeed, social media managers earn a mean wage of $55,884.
Technical Writer: Technical writers are wanted in numerous industries, however they sometimes are centered on expertise, laptop and scientific fields. Technical writers put together how-to guides, manuals and different paperwork sharing technical data. The median wage earned for technical writers in 2021 was $78,060, with a 12% job development projected by 2030.
Types of Communication Degrees
Within no matter business you select to work for, you will have to convey the right communication expertise by your analysis, writing, crucial considering and analytical expertise, whether or not interacting along with your coworkers or the general public. A bachelor’s diploma in communication can give you these instruments and a stable basis to start your profession.
After you might have accomplished your bachelor’s in communication, the subsequent step in your schooling can be to maneuver ahead with a Master of Arts (MA) in Communication, which can let you construct on the information and expertise you already realized throughout your bachelor’s schooling.
“Through a grasp’s in communication (program), you will have the chance to follow real-world experiences as a person whereas constructing a robust basis rooted in ethics, greatest practices and present analysis,” mentioned Harley Hedlund Tennant ’21G, a communication graduate who now works as a communication supervisor. “By enhancing the expertise, information and credibility of people, this system helps professionals greatest place themselves for success.”
During your MA diploma, you will usually have the chance to decide on a focus. “Find a number of complementary areas of communications you take pleasure in and have a ardour for and construct your expertise in these areas,” mentioned Learning and Performance Improvement Consultant Tim Reed ’16G.
MA in Communications concentrations can embrace:
New Media and Marketing: In a extra centered schooling than your bachelor of arts diploma (BA), a focus in new media and advertising and marketing at a grasp’s stage can provide the expertise to successfully talk and collaborate with others. You’ll be taught to work with these in your business and outdoors of it by numerous channels similar to natural advertising and marketing, social media and extra. Learn extra about what new media is.
Public Relations: A public relations focus when getting your MA diploma will immerse you in the work that organizations do to construct and preserve their model worth. You’ll be taught to handle the communication circulation between model and viewers by conventional and new digital media platforms. See what else you are able to do with a public relations diploma.
Having the choice to decide on a extra specialised diploma that most closely fits you and your profession objectives could make you extra marketable to future employers.
Womack mentioned being one of many solely individuals at his office having a grasp’s has vastly benefited him. Only 13.1% of U.S. adults have a grasp’s diploma, in response to the U.S. Census Bureau, so having that diploma may give you a aggressive edge in your profession.
According to Sue Ryan ’16G, an inspirational coach, speaker and educator, “Effective communications present impression, effectivity and readability. Ineffective communications distort, confuse and might trigger destructive impacts.”
Is a Master’s in Communication Worth it?
While a grasp’s diploma may help you stand out to employers and give you a extra specialised schooling than a bachelor’s diploma, is a grasp’s in communications price it?
In a phrase, sure.
Reed mentioned the talents he realized from his MA in Communication diploma have been each marketable and transferable all through his profession.
A grasp’s in communication can present you flexibility when selecting, advancing in or altering your profession in the communication area.
“With the speed communication and advertising and marketing are projected to develop, there are numerous alternatives to proceed to be challenged by and engaged with the communication area,” mentioned Tennant. “If your private {and professional} objectives align with the grasp’s in communication course outcomes, I’ll at all times suggest exploring it.”
Not solely can acquiring your diploma allow you to get into the sphere however having superior communication expertise may help you in many different elements of life. For instance, Ryan mentioned getting her on-line diploma enabled her to develop into a assured and efficient communicator. It additionally gave her the instruments to construction higher the best way she messages and speaks with individuals utilizing completely different mediums and platforms relying upon her focused viewers.
Why Do I Want a Master’s in Communication?
Communication is ever-evolving and attaining your grasp’s diploma can provide the vital expertise and edge to excel in your required profession. No matter your objectives, whether or not advancing your profession or becoming a brand new area fully, the advantages of a communication schooling may help you get there.
“Having a grasp’s diploma not solely exhibits that you have mastered the basics in the sphere, but additionally that you simply had the motivation, the self-discipline, and the braveness to set a hefty aim and work arduous till you achieved it,” mentioned Bishop. “That stage of grit is a trait that employers are likely to look for.”
Your grasp’s in communication means that you can study your communication kinds and give you the instruments wanted to develop new communication habits in your private {and professional} life.
“Communication applies to nearly each business, function, and difficulty confronted in right this moment’s world, and that’s thrilling,” mentioned Tennant. “The demand for credible and dependable communication professionals can solely develop and develop into of better worth.”
Discover extra about SNHU’s grasp’s diploma in communication: Find out what programs you will take, expertise you’ll be taught and request details about this system.
Alexa Gustavsen ’21 is a author at Southern New Hampshire University. Connect together with her on LinkedIn.
https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/newsroom/liberal-arts/jobs-for-masters-in-communication-graduates
