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Mass Communications
Overview
Mass communications can be divided up into three categories: print,
radio, and television. Print can further be divided into newspaper,
magazine, and online publications. The world of communications is
a fast paced, technologically driven industry. The purpose of mass
communications is to inform the public of news, events, and issues
in both local and global contexts. Good interpersonal skills are
required, as well as a thorough understanding of the importance
of audience.
Careers titles in communications may include:
journalist, reporter, correspondent, editor, writer, newscaster,
columnist, commentator, copy writer, managing editor, news analyst,
media producer, technical writer, and many others. (www.bls.gov/home.htm)
Work Environment
The work environment is hectic, noisy, and stressful. The life of
a reporter or journalist revolves around deadlines, so in order
to meet deadlines, a journalist must work irregular hours - nights,
and possibly weekends. A journalist must research and interview
for stories, so work is not confined to an office. Travel may be
required, and some stories, particularly conflicts or war, could
be hazardous.
Reporters generally work in large, open
rooms with their co-workers, so they must be able to deal with distractions
such as talking, phones ringing, and keyboards clicking. Typically
only high positions, such as editors, will have private offices.
Outlook and Trends
Careers in communications are highly competitive,
and those entering the job market for the first time should begin
in a small local publication, radio, or television station to gain
the experience necessary for working in a well known national company.
Internships are also a beneficial way to gain experience.
According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook
(2004-2005), the market is growing very slowing through the year
2012 because of decreased circulations, closures, mergers, and consolidations.
Growth, however, is expected in the newer areas of online newspapers
and magazines; because the market is driven by advertising revenue,
it is sensitive to economic ups and downs. (Occupation Outlook Handbook
page 266)
Earnings
Factors such as education, experience, job
level, and circulation number affect the potential earnings in communications
careers.
The following averages are from the U.S. Department
of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics < http://www.bls.gov/home.htm
>
- News analysts, reporters, and correspondents:
Median: $30,510
o Middle 50 percent: $22,350-47,170
o Lowest 10 percent: $17,620
o Highest 10 percent: $69,450+
- Editors:
o Median: $41,170
o Middle 50 percent: $30,770-56,360
o Lowest 10 percent: <$24,010
o Highest 10 percent: $76,620+
- Writers and Authors:
o Median: $42,790
o Middle 50 percent: $20,150-58,930
o Lowest 10 percent: <$21,320
o Highest 10 percent: $85,140+
- Technical Writers:
o Median: $50,580
o Middle 50 percent: $39,100-64,750
o Lowest 10 percent: <$30,270
o Highest 10 percent: $80,900+
Training and Qualifications
A degree in Journalism, Communications, or
English may be required, but experience, such as internships, often
proves to be the most helpful. Backgrounds in sociology, political
science, economics, history, and psychology may also prove useful.
Good writing skills and computer literacy are a must.
A career in communications typically requires
traits such as: good interpersonal skills, creativity, curiosity,
self-motivation, perseverance, a broad knowledge, and ability to
work under pressure.
Possible cognate courses and electives:
ART 803 Fundamentals of Visual Art
COM 861 Emergence of Professional Communications
COM 862 Leadership Communications
ENGL 651: Film Theory and Criticism
ENG 675 Writing for the Electronic Media
ENGL 690: Advanced Technical and Business Writing
ENG 695 Technical Editing
ENGL 832: Topics in Scientific, Technical and Business Writing
ENGL 836: Digital Publishing Technologies: Theories in Practice
ENG 838 Global Professional Communications
ENG 863 Advanced Empirical Research in Professional Communications
MKT 623: Promotional Strategy
SOC 640 Leisure, the Mass Media, and Culture
THEA 672: Improvisation: Interpreting and Developing Texts
Employers
Careers in Communications
VGM Career Horizons
4255 W. Touhy Avenue
Lincolnwood, IL 60646-1975
Ph: (847) 679-5500
Email: ntcpub@tribune.com
Great Jobs for Communications Majors
McGraw-Hill Professional
2 Penn Plaza
New York, NY 10121
Ph: (212) 904-2000
American Society of Journalists and Authors Directory
1501 Broadway, Ste 302
New York, NY 10036
Ph: (212) 997-0947
URL: http://www.asja.org
Directory of Leading Magazines and Newspapers
Publisher Media
1145 N. Second Street
El Cajon, CA 92021-5024
Ph: (619) 588-2155
Radio-Television News Directors Association (RTNDA)
1600 K Street NW Ste 700
Washington, DC 20006-2838
Ph: (202) 659-6510
URL: http://rtnda.org
Email: rtnda@rtnda.org
Sources of Additional
Information
Books:
Cosgove, Holli, editor. Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance
Volume 3 and 4 11th ed. Chicago: Ferguson Publishing Company, 2000.
(Pages 734-735; 540-541)
Farr, Michael J., Ludden LaVerne, and Paul Mangin.
The Enhanced
Occupational Outlook Handbook. Indianapolis: JISTWorks, Inc, 1997.
Swartout, Kristy, editor. Job Hunter’s Sourcebook
6th ed. Detroit: Thomson Gale,
2005.
Web Links:
http://stats.bls.gov/oco/home.htm
http://www.stc.org
http://www.mediainfo.com/
www.careerplanning.about.com
www.job-hunt.org
www.thejobresource.com
www.jobweb.org/catapult/catapult.htm
www.dbm.com/jobguide
www.careermag.org
http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/student/careers/subjectoptions/masscommunications.html
Mail:
Newspaper Association of America, 1921 Gallows Rd., Suite 600, Vienna,
VA 22182
The Dow Jones Newspaper Fund, Inc., PO Box 300,
Princeton, NJ
08543-0300
The Newspaper Guild, Research and Information
Dept., 8611 Second Ave.,
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism
and Mass Communications,
University of Kansas School of Journalism, Stauffer-Flint
Hall, Lawrence, KS 66045
Association for Education in Journalism
and Mass Communication, University of South Carolina, LeConte College,
Room 121, Columbia, SC 29208-0251
National Newspaper Association, 1525 Wilson Blvd., Suite 550, Arlington,
VA 22209
References
2004-2005 Occupational Outlook Handbook.
U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau
of Labor Statistics, Bulletin 2570. March 2004 (pages 256-277).
Cosgove, Holli, editor. Encyclopedia of Careers
and Vocational Guidance
Volume 3 and 4 11th ed. Chicago: Ferguson Publishing Company, 2000.
(Pages 734-735; 540-541)
Farr, Michael J., Ludden LaVerne, and Paul Mangin.
The Enhanced
Occupational Outlook Handbook. Indianapolis: JISTWorks, Inc, 1997.
Harkavy, Michael. 101 Careers. New York: John
Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1999.
Kestler, Darryl. Career Information Center 8th
edition Volume 2 Communication
and the Arts. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2002.
Swartout, Kristy, editor. Job Hunter’s Sourcebook
6th ed. Detroit: Thomson Gale,
2005.
U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor
Statistics. 6 December 2005
<http://www.bls.gov/ >.
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