Is Communications Degree A Good Major To Study?

Is a Degree In Communications Worth It. Communications is a good degree for students who would like to have jobs centering on connecting with people and providing them with useful information. Also, it is suited for degree-seeking students who have yet to decide which careers they would like to have but are open to various possibilities. 

Many students find it daunting to pursue communications due to some misconceptions about it. For instance, some degree-seeking individuals assume that communications majors are either jobless or not making enough money as other bachelor’s holders.

According to data from the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment in occupations requiring a communications degree is projected to grow 14% in a span of 10 years — that’s so much faster than the average projected growth for all jobs in the country, which is 7.7% over the same projection timeframe.  

List of Highest paying communication jobs

• News Producer.
• Social Media Specialist.
• School Publicity Writer
• News Anchor.
• Publications Editor
• Communications Director. 
• Public Relations Manager
• Interactive/Digital Producer
• Publicist.

Is a Communications Degree Worth It?

Yes, a communication degree is worth it for many students. A communications degree can be a great fit for someone who is interested in working in media or broadcasting. Common careers in this field include film and video editors, announcers, public relations, news reporters, and authors.

Is Communications a Good Major for students?

Yes, communications is one of the most interesting and versatile majors out there. What you may find interesting once you dive in is the way a communications program overlaps with so many other majors. In fact, you can obtain a “hybrid” set of skills that straddles the worlds of business, psychology, and journalism. One of the big advantages of an on-campus or online communications degree is that graduates often get recruited to work for companies in really exciting industries. Media outlets and public relations firms are peppered with communications majors.

Best Reasons Students Choose To Study Communications In College

• Timely applications: The world is more connected than ever before, and communications professionals are essential in the modern world.
• Promising job growth: The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that jobs in media and communications will experience 14% growth over the next ten years.
• Diverse skill set: Communications majors can gain skills that are useful in a vast number of sectors, including business, journalism, media, advertising, and government.
• Management opportunities: If you learn your stuff and work hard, you may find a number of opportunities for career advancement. Potential leadership roles include marketing manager, public relations manager, and chief communications officer.
• Salary potential: Figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that media and communications workers earn a median annual salary of $62,340. Some management roles may even bring in six-figure incomes.

Are Communications Degrees Worth It After Graduation?

Yes, a communications degree is something that can open big doors in the job market. Job availability for media and communication occupations is expected to grow about 4 percent in the next decade. That’s about the same pace as the overall job market. One of the things really giving life to the communications field right now is the explosion of new media platforms and outlets. Brands need people who know how to create, disseminate, and edit media and messages across platforms more than ever.

Most new graduates land support roles. This can include roles like a communications associate, public relations assistant, editorial assistant, associate brand manager, or customer communications specialist. You might say that communications majors often land the most enviable internship positions around! That’s because many spend their summers or semesters working at news stations, magazines, marketing firms, movie studios, or production companies.

Is Communications Hard in College?

Communications is not the hardest degree nor is it the easiest degree. Students majoring in communications also need to put a lot of hard work and commitment into their studies, especially if the goal is to have a highly marketable transcript and resume. Communications can either be an academic discipline or a major.

List of communications majors:

• Communication education.
• Technical communication.
• Dispute resolution
• Electronic and digital media communication.
• Advertising.
• Broadcasting.
• Communications
• Journalism.
• Public relations
• Interpersonal communication.
• Interpretation and translation.

How Much Can You Make With a Communications Degree?

• Writers and Authors – $69,510
• Market Research Analysts – $63,920
• Advertising Sales Agents – $52,340.
• News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists – $48,370
• Editors – $63,350
• Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers – $133,380.
• Public Relations and Fundraising Managers – $119,860
• Technical Writers – $78,060
• Public Relations Specialists – $62,800
• Film and Video Editors – $62,680.

Communications vs Marketing

The two majors do have some overlaps. Many people with great communication skills and creativity find themselves feeling torn between majoring in communications and marketing. 

Differences between Communications major vs Marketing major

Communications can be internal instead of external.
Communications isn’t always focused on “selling” the way marketing is.
Marketing typically requires more work with data than communications.

Similarities between Communications major vs Marketing major

• Room for creativity.
• Strong ties to business.
• Focus on written, visual, and verbal communication.
• Emphasis on crafting messages.

Avoid these Myths about a Degree and Career in Communications 

1. That all communications majors end up as journalists

Besides journalism, students who would like to become journalists one day may also earn an undergraduate degree in either English or communications. However, it doesn’t mean right away that getting your hands on a bachelor’s in communications will leave you with no other option but to become a journalist.

2. Employed graduates don’t make as much money

According to data from the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for all occupations in 2021, amounted to $45,760. The median annual wage for media and communication workers, from writers, editors, news anchors to event planners, in the same year was $62,340, which was 27% higher than what most other employed individuals made. If you want to make more money as a communications major? Consider taking your bachelor’s to graduate school in order to earn a master’s in communications, which can let you make an average of $69,000 per year.

3. Communications is too easy a degree

Just like most other degrees, there will be lots of books to read, coursework to finish and exams to pass. Communications is a broad field of study, you will surely find a major that will challenge you!

4. Majoring in communications is just learning how to talk to people

It’s not just talking that communications majors do, contrary to popular belief. In order to earn a communications degree and reap success in a related field, communications graduates must also exhibit creativity and originality as well as demonstrate good leadership, teamwork, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

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