CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR
COMMUNICATION ARTS MAJORS
SKILLS & ABILITIES OF THE COMMUNICATIONS ARTS MAJOR
Interpersonal Rela ons Organizing  Planning and managing  Iden fying and managing different needs of  Working within deadlines individuals, groups, and mass audiences  Working independently  Understanding ins tu onal and cultural values  A ending to details  Working in teams  Working in teams and small groups  Rewri ng/edi ng with others  Explaining processes, plans, and concepts  Interviewing people Communica on  Wri ng clearly  Speaking effec vely Research and Analysis  Presen ng specific viewpoints  Defining hypotheses  Influencing, persuading  Evalua ng ideas and their presenta on  Synthesizing informa on  Gathering informa on and data  Interpre ng  Comparing/contras ng evidence  Repor ng and edi ng  Evalua ng informa on and sources  Crea ng entertaining and persuasive messages  Thinking cri cally  Demonstra ng crea vity and ar s c expression  Developing market research *Par ally taken from the University of Kansas University Career Center
POTENTIAL CAREERS
Business and Industry  Sales Associate  Corporate Communica ons Director  Account Coordinator  Adver sing Coordinator  Customer Representa ve  Corporate Trainer  Direct Marketer  Human Resource Manager  Investment Rela ons Manager  Management Consultant*  Marke ng Manager or Researcher  Media Planner  Publicist Film, Radio, and Telecommunica ons  Announcer  News Director  Newscaster/Narrator  Producer  Writer (e.g. news, film, documentary)  Director  Audio/Visual Technician  Sound Mixer  Traffic Manager  Film Editor  Film/Editor Engineer  Telecommunica ons Manager Addi onal graduate study is generally expected for those occupa ons marked with an * on the above list.
POTENTIAL CAREERS (CONT.)
Journalism and Publishing  Editorial Project Manager  Reporter  Managing Editor  Publisher  Researcher  Copy Editor  Correspondent  Photographer Government and Public Sector  Lobbyist  Public Rela ons Coordinator  Legisla ve Press Secretary  Community Affairs Director  Special Events Promoter  A orney*  Public Affairs Analyst  Public Administra on* Addi onal graduate study is generally expected for those occupa ons marked with an * on the above list.
TYPES OF EMPLOYERS
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Private for‐Profit Government/Military Non‐Profit 
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Educa on Self‐Employed TOP 10 OCCUPATIONS EMPLOYING PERSONS WITH A BACHELORS IN
COMMUNICATION ARTS
Ar sts, broadcasters, writers, editors, entertainers, PR specialists Top and mid‐level managers, execu ves, administrators Sales occupa ons, including retail Insurance, securi es, real estate, business services Other marke ng and sales occupa ons Other management‐related occupa ons Other administra ve Other service occupa ons, except health Secretaries, recep onists, typists 17.6% 12.6% 8.3% 8.2% 8.1% 6.2% 5.3% 3.5% 2.6% POST GRADUATION ACTIVITIES
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Most communica ons degree holders do not go on to complete an advanced degree. Only 18% eventual‐
ly earn a type of graduate degree, and 3/4 of those are in fields unrelated to their major. One in five earn a master’s degree in educa on and 17% go on to earn a degree in business.  Most of those who earn a professional degree earn it in the field of law. *Taken from The College Majors Handbook (Fogg, Harrington, & Harrington) 2004
RELATED BOOKS IN THE CAREER RESOURCE LIBRARY (CLC 530)
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Careers in Adver sing
How to Thrive in the Public Rela ons Business: 35 Prac cal ps from a 35‐year veteran
Career Perspec ves in Electronic Media
Careers in Focus: Public Rela ons
The Internship Series: The Media Internship Book 2007
The Internship Series: Internships with America’s Adver sing Agencies 2008
How to Get a Job in Television
Resumes for Adver sing Careers