Whether you're creative or a tech wizard, job opportunities abound.
The term "mass communications" is becoming increasingly difficult to define in our changing world where anyone with a computer or cell phone has the potential to communicate with millions of people. In its more traditional sense, mass communications is "...the distribution of entertainment, arts, information and messages by television, radio, newspapers, magazines, movies, recorded music and associated media," according to The Museum of Broadcast Communications. Whether you're creative or technically-inclined, there may be a job for you in mass communications.
Broadcasting
Satellite technology is ubiquitous in radio and television broadcasting.
Broadcasters collect and distribute news and information on television and radio. At television news stations, anchors, reporters, producers and editors work in the newsroom, gathering and creating news stories. The on-air department at radio stations can include disc jockeys, hosts, producers, news and sportscasters. In broadcasting, you can become a camera operator, director, video or audio engineer or editor, master control or audio board operator. Promotions workers create and maintain a positive image for station and interact with the public. Stations employ salespeople to sell airtime to businesses and organizations with a product, service or message to advertise. Many broadcasters begin their careers as station interns, board operators or office staff. Some newscaster, manager or engineering positions positions may require a degree in a related field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average weekly salary of a non-managerial broadcast employee was $852 in 2008.
Print Journalism
Newspaper reporters often write in-depth stories.
Print journalists are writers, editors and photographers who present news and information in magazines and newspapers. Although print media struggles to maintain relevance in today's electronic society, print often provides in-depth reporting other types of media cannot. Editors give assignments, oversee reporters and edit their stories. Reporters go to crime scenes and political rallies to gather information. They usually specialize in the niches of crime, politics, entertainment, leisure, sports or health. Print media outlets also employ graphic artists, salespeople, and printing and distribution workers. The annual median wages of a print journalist in 2008 was $33,430, according to the BLS. Many print journalists begin by writing for their high school and college newspapers and via internships at media organizations.
Advertising and Public Relations
Advertising executives come up with campaigns and slogans.
Business, political and social organizations that wish to publicize a product, service or idea use advertising to reach an audience. Advertisers work with clients to develop campaigns, slogans and logos to further their clients' business, political or social endeavours. Jobs exist at advertising agencies or in the advertising departments of media outlets. Public relations is the facet of mass communications that involves generating and portraying a positive image of a person or organization, according to Career Age. Some PR specialists work independently, while others work for an agency. According to the BLS, non-supervisory advertising and public relations jobs paid an average of $747 per week in 2008. Degrees in related fields such as journalism or mass communications may help land a job, but aren't always required. Advertisers often begin as copywriters, while the best PR specialists are pros at networking.
Tags: mass communications, campaigns slogans, media outlets, news information, political social, positive image, product service