5 Ways to Succesfully Apply Your Communication Degree

Communication. It’s number eight on the Princeton Review’s list of Top Ten College Majors. Much of the appeal of a communication degree is its usefulness in multiple fields. Communication is not interchangeable with newspaper reporters anymore, especially in a society where print journalism is facing rapid endangerment. Financial corporations, schools, laboratories, theater arts- these are a few realms where a communication major could find employment. With two more years to go on my bachelor’s degree, these are five niches I envision my graduated-self putting my education to work.

Internet Writing

Print journalism isn’t dying— it is relocating. To the internet. When The New York Times starts incorporating online-only columns, blogs and op-eds, the revolution has become legitimized. More people are gathering all sorts of information straight from the web. E-Magazines, blogs covering all things news to music to corporate updates, these outlets all need writers. Until the Singularity movement comes to fruition and robots start dominating the workforce, humans are still required to for their abilities in diction, syntax and investigative logic.

Freelance

For those who fancy the thought of being their own boss, having the creative freedom to choose their assignments and have no issues with change, freelancing is their oasis. Demand Studios is one of today’s largest freelancing communities. Writers, filmmakers and copy editors can apply online by submitting a resume and work samples; once accepted, you may search their database of assignments. Demand Studios works in conjunction with YouTube, Livestrong.com and eHow, and a plethora of other recognizable organizations, giving the freelancer plenty to do. Payment is filtered through PayPal accounts—the more you write, the more you collect (all from the comfort of your choice desk, coffee shop or park bench.)

Radio

Plenty of communication majors go the broadcast route, but on-air personalities are only one piece of the am/fm pie. For the music, news or sports-appreciator, radio stations across the country have sub-departments in need of spot writers, public relations coordinators and underwriters (for those well-equipped in asking for money). Promotions is another huge chunk of the radio world, where logos need to be branded, merchandise purchased, and event booths organized. NPR and Sirius-XM both offer (paid) internships in multiple operations categories.

Museums

Art History graduates aren’t the sole degree-holders who can find home in museums. Most museums be they art, science or natural history, have all-encompassing communication departments which are responsible for the institute’s PR, marketing, community outreach programs, visitor relations, special event programming, and the ever-cherished grant writing. Besides housing masterpieces, museums have literature to be published, newsletters to be written and countless members to keep happy. The Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Art Institute of Chicago and MoMa and the National Gallery are only a few of the heavies that offer internships in many of these areas.

The Music Industry

So what if you’re tone deaf and can’t tell a guitar from a bass? Musicians aren’t all that make this industry go ‘round. Music venues (gargantuan and intimate), record labels of all sizes, and individual artists require professionals to make them attractive and accessible to masses. Most rising bands are accessorized with a web-guru who handles all social networking, blog updates, or their percentage of hits of Google. Here lies another opportunity to show off those advertising chops or ability to craft the sweetest and briefest press release. For those who prefer working alongside a more eclectic bunch, this is your fit.