Exploring different communications career paths for those interested in a communications degree
Are you considering pursuing a communications degree but wondering about communications career paths or "is a communications degree worth it?" A communications degree opens doors to diverse career opportunities across multiple industries. From marketing and public relations to broadcasting and digital media, graduates with communications skills are in high demand as organizations increasingly prioritize effective and strategic communication strategies.
What Is a Communications Degree and What Skills Do You Learn?
A communications degree equips students with essential skills in written and verbal communication, media analysis, public speaking and strategic messaging. Communications programs combine theoretical knowledge with practical applications, preparing graduates for various communications career paths in today's digital age.
Through projects and internships, students gain hands-on experience in content creation, campaign development and strategic communication planning. Additionally, soft skills are fundamental benefits of a communications degree. Skills such as active listening, teamwork, adaptability, conflict resolution and the ability to effectively communicate are instrumental to a communications degree and are all sought after by employers, regardless of industry.
What Kind of Jobs Can You Get with a Communications Degree in Marketing and Public Relations?
The marketing and public relations sector offers numerous opportunities for communications graduates.
Public Relations Manager
PR managers develop and maintain an organization's public image through strategic communication campaigns and media relations. These professionals work closely with executives to shape organizational messaging and manage crisis communications, making this one of the most popular among the many communications career paths.
Content Marketing Strategist
Content marketing strategists Create and oversee content strategies across various platforms to engage target audiences and drive business goals. They analyze market trends and consumer behavior to develop compelling content that resonates with specific audience segments.
Social Media Director
Social media directors monitor an organization's social media presence and develop engagement strategies. They stay ahead of platform changes and emerging trends while coordinating with various departments to ensure consistent messaging.
Marketing Communications Manager
Communications managers develop integrated campaigns across multiple channels while ensuring brand consistency and measuring campaign effectiveness.
What Kind of Jobs Can You Get with a Communications Degree in Media and Broadcasting?
Traditional media, such as broadcast television and radio, provide exciting career paths for communications majors. This industry includes local and national news, sports, cable television networks and more.
Broadcast Journalist
Jobs with communications degrees are plentiful, and many find broadcast journalism particularly exciting. They often report news stories for television, radio or digital platforms, conducting interviews and producing content. Reporters must quickly gather information, verify sources, and present complex stories in an accessible way. Broadcast journalists appear in local news, politics, sports, tech, food, gaming and virtually every industry imaginable.
News Producer
Rather than report themselves, news producers coordinate news coverage, manage production teams and ensure content quality. Producers often must make split-second decisions about breaking news coverage while organizing resources and maintaining editorial standards.
Digital Media Coordinator
Digital media coordinators manage online content distribution and multimedia projects, blending technical expertise with creative storytelling to develop engaging digital experiences.
Media Relations Specialist
Media relations specialists build and maintain relationships with journalists and media outlets on behalf of an organization, developing press releases and pitching stories. They serve as the bridge between organizations and news media while managing press coverage and media inquiries.
Jobs with Communications Degree You Can Get in Business and Corporate Settings
Corporate communications offer stable, rewarding positions for standard businesses. These roles can either relate to internal or external communications and marketing.
Corporate Communications Manager
Corporate communications managers oversee internal and external communication strategies for large organizations. They develop comprehensive communication plans that align with business objectives while ensuring consistent messaging.
Training and Development Specialist
Communications jobs such as training and development specialists create and deliver educational programs for employees, often combining instructional design principles with communication strategies to develop engaging training materials.
Employee Relations Manager
Employee relations managers facilitate communication between management and staff, handling internal communications and conflict resolution. They build strong relationships across organizational levels while developing programs to improve workplace culture.
Internal Communications Director
Internal communications directors develop and implement strategies to keep employees informed and engaged, fostering transparency and maintaining organizational culture across different departments.
Benefits of a Communications Degree in Today's Job Market
A communications degree provides valuable advantages in the modern workplace:
- Versatile skill set applicable across industries
- Strong foundation in digital and traditional media
- Development of critical thinking and analytical abilities
- Enhanced leadership and team collaboration skills
- Adaptability to emerging communication technologies
- Project management and strategic planning capabilities
- Understanding of audience psychology and behavior
Communications Career Paths and Growth Opportunities
The communications field offers numerous advancement opportunities through experience and additional certifications. Many communications graduates start in entry-level positions and progress to management roles within five to seven years. The growing importance of digital communication and content marketing creates steady demand for skilled professionals. As organizations increasingly recognize the value of effective communication, opportunities continue to expand across sectors.
Frequently Asked Questions About Communications Degrees
Below are five frequently asked questions related to what kind of jobs can you get with a communications degree.
Yes, a communications degree is worth it. A communications major is an excellent choice for students interested in versatile career opportunities. The degree provides valuable skills that employers consistently seek, including critical thinking, writing and interpersonal communication abilities.
The highest-paying jobs with a communications degree in 2025, according to ZipRecruiter, are vice president of communications roles ($124,500-202,500), followed by medical communications specialist ($82,000-171,00) and vice president of corporate communications ($144,00-168,500).
Yes, there is strong demand for communications graduates. The digital transformation of business and media has increased the need for skilled communicators who can create and manage content across multiple platforms, as well as a need for soft skills and those who can communicate in the workplace.
With the right background and education, finding a job in communications shouldn’t be too hard. While entry-level positions can be competitive, communications graduates who gain practical experience through internships and develop digital skills typically find employment within six months of graduation.
Communications programs typically include courses in public speaking, media writing, research methods, digital communication, mass media theory and strategic communication planning.
Exploring the Best Colleges for Communications Degrees?
Whether you're interested in marketing, journalism, corporate communications or digital media, a communications degree provides the foundation for a rewarding career. Belmont University’s communication studies program teaches students how to effectively speak and write, communicate, engage in teamwork, think critically and understand the dynamic media landscape.
Belmont communication studies alumni have gone on to become lawyers, politicians, business executives, communications managers in front offices of professional sports teams, public relations professionals and more.
Ready to explore your potential in communications? Learn more about our comprehensive communication studies program and how it can prepare you for success in today's dynamic job market.
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Learn more about communication studies at Belmont.