Do you see yourself reporting on TV from the scene of a major event? Are you interested in promoting the latest products? Media-related communications include mass media, public relations and advertising and other similar areas. Read on to learn if media-related communications may appeal to you as a career.
Are you good at talking to people? Do you watch, read or listen to the news frequently? Are you good at getting a message across? If so, you might be a good candidate for a career in media-related communications. This field encompasses a variety of jobs and specializations, from journalism to public relations.
Media-related communications specialists deliver messages to audiences. The details of how they deliver information and the audience they target depend on their specific field. With the proper training and experience you could work in one of the areas pertaining to media-related communications, which include broadcasting (radio, TV, film and the Web), public relations, journalism and advertising. Each area offers creative and technical opportunities; for instance, you could become an on-screen news reporter or a member of a camera crew. As an advertising professional, you could create TV commercials for new products.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) stated that the fields related to media communications are highly competitive, with college-educated and experienced candidates having the best hiring prospects (www.bls.gov). Just to give a few examples of media-related communications jobs, broadcast news analysts had an average yearly income of $72,710 during May 2010. Reporters and correspondents earned an average of $43,780 annually and broadcast announcers earned an average of $39,910 annually during May 2010, reported the BLS.
According to the BLS, a college degree in a media-related field can be key for landing a job in media-related communications. Hands-on experience through internships, college publications and stations can also help you start a career. You can find degree programs at the associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree levels, covering media-related areas such as journalism, media studies, emerging media, communications and marketing.
If you'd like to become a news reporter or analyst, earning a degree in journalism may provide you with the writing, research and other trade skills required by the news field. If you'd like to work in radio, television or new media, then a degree related to broadcasting can give you experience through classes, internships and other experiences. If advertising and public relations appeal to you, earning a degree in marketing or a similar focus can qualify you for entry-level jobs at some firms.