What Can I Do With A Major In Communication Studies?

Introduction

Communication Studies graduates find opportunities in a wide variety of careers in business, education, government and non-profit sectors. Skills in verbal and written communication, as well as critical thinking, are some of the most sought after characteristics employers look for when hiring. Many careers do not require a specific major but rather a wide range of demonstrated skills and accomplishments. While a degree in communication studies provides the foundation for successful careers in a variety of professions, it is also important for students in this major to actively develop their own careers goals and work with their faculty advisors to take advantage of internships, special course offerings, and volunteer opportunities to prepare themselves for particular professions.

The Department of Communication Studies at The University of Montana-Missoula focuses on three broad areas of study: interpersonal interaction and human relationships, organizational communication, and rhetoric and public discourse. By choosing to focus on one of these three options, students may make themselves more marketable for certain types of jobs. Overall, the knowledge and skills a student acquires in each of these areas are important to functioning effectively in one's personal life, at work, and as a citizen of the larger society in a rapidly changing world.

 

A Sample of Related Occupations

Related Occupations Related Occupations Related Occupations Related Occupations
Admissions Counselor Convention Organizer Foreign Service Officer Photographer
Advertising Director Copy Writer Fundraiser Public Information Officer
Advertising Account Executive Corporate Trainer Human Resource Administrator Public Relations Specialist
Audio-visual Consultant Critic Journalist Radio/TV Newscaster
Biographer Customer Relations Librarian Sales Representative
Camera Operator Disc Jockey Lobbyist Screen/Script Writer
Circulation Director Editor Market Researcher Station Programmer
Columnist Educator Media Buyer Technical Writer
Commentator Entertainment Agent Media Production Assistant Tour Guide
Consumer Advocate Film/TV Director Personnel Recruiter Traffic Manager
   
 

Types of Employers  

Private and Non-profit Organizations
 

Advertising Agencies

Magazines 

Book Publishers

Management/Consulting Firms 

Community Organizations

Manufacturing Firms 

Educational Organizations

Newspapers

Entertainment Firms 

Professional Associations

Financial Institutions

Public Relations Firms 

Health Organizations

Radio Stations

Hospitals 

Retail Stores 

Labor Unions

Telecommunications Firms

Libraries/Museums

Television Stations

High Tech Companies

Non-Profit Advocacy Organizations
 
Government Agencies
 

Department of Labor

National Telecommunications and Information Administration 

Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board

Small Business Administration

National Archives

U.S. Information Agency

National Park Service

Voice of America 

National Science Foundation

 

Related Web Links

Professional Associations

For additional career information, see the Occupational Outlook Handbook