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Communication Education:

Communication educators are hired at all educational levels-elementary and secondary schools, community colleges, colleges and universities. Most communication faculty members are found at the collegiate level.

To teach communication in an elementary or secondary school you need to obtain certification. Each state has its own regulations, but almost all require a minimum of a bachelor's degree in the field you will be teaching.

Becoming an instructor at the college level usually requires a doctoral degree, though some community colleges will hire a candidate with a master's degree. Community colleges tend to prefer graduates who have a general communication degree so they can teach a variety of courses. Four-year institutions, especially research and graduate level universities, prefer candidates trained in a specific area, such as organizational communication, rhetoric and public address, or interpersonal communication.

One question often asked by students is, "What are the job opportunities at the college level for teaching communication?" According to a study, "more than 80 percent of those institutions currently advertising for new faculty to fill communication positions prefer or demand the Ph.D. However, only half the number needed to fill those vacancies will be available in the years ahead. . . . These trends will be more severely felt in the communications discipline than in many other academic fields, because Ph.D. production in communication per undergraduate to be served has been declining steadily for a number of years."

Careers in communication education include: language arts coordinator, high school speech teacher, forensics/debate coach, drama director, college or university professor, and speech communication department chairperson.

Communication subjects that can enhance a career in communication education include: oral communication, public speaking, interpersonal communication, introduction to media systems, communication theory, research and methodology in communication, communication in the classroom, cross-cultural communication, teaching the language arts, linguistics, sociolinguistics, developmental communication, nonverbal communication, small group communication, oral interpretation and performance studies, forensics, family communication, conflict resolution, argumentation, ethics of communication, rhetorical theory and criticism, listening, discussion, and persuasion.

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Electronic Media / Radio - Television Broadcasting:

The field of broadcasting is going through a period of rapid change. One of the trends is the combination of radio and television with computers and interactivity. Even the title of the field is shifting from the present emphasis on broadcasting to electronic media, according to Louisa A. Nielsen of the Broadcast Education Association.21

It is further anticipated that there will be a major job shift in the field from radio and television positions to non-broadcast video. Non-broadcast video includes the activities of corporations, health care centers, and educational organizations in producing newsletters, training materials, videos, commercials, and educational materials. Careers will encompass not only performance, but technical skills, including video graphics. Students will need to be thoroughly trained in the use of media.22

Often considered to be a glamour industry because of the attention given to electronic broadcasters-network newscasters and talk show hosts-the radio-television field actually has more jobs off-camera and off-microphone than on-air. Many of these technical, sales, and administrative positions pay as well or better than those held by performers.

Those interested in on-air performance should be aware that many of the jobs are in small or rural communities at local stations and in independent production facilities, rather than with the networks. It is fairly common for performers to find their first job at one of the small broadcasting or production sites. Initial pay is often low or even unpaid as volunteer work or internships. Even at that, competition for jobs is often high.

Undergraduate and graduate enrollments in electronic media are increasing. Electronic media/radio-television/broadcasting programs can be found in departments with such diverse names as Communications, Mass Media, Mass Communication, and Radio-Television-Film.

Careers in electronic media/radio-television/broadcasting include: broadcasting station manager, director of broadcasting, film/tape librarian, community relations director, unit manager, film editor, news director, news writer, transmitter engineer, technical director, advertising sales coordinator, traffic/ continuity specialist, media buyer, market researcher, actor, announcer, disc jockey, news anchor, public relations manager, comedy writer, casting director, producer, business manager, researcher, account executive, floor manager, and talk show host.

Communication subjects that can enhance a career in electronic media/ radio-television/broadcasting include: oral communication, public speaking, print communication, interpersonal communication, introduction to mass communication, media research, studio and field production and direction for television/radio/film, script writing, editing, persuasion, nonverbal communication, media performance, oral interpretation, public relations, listening, media theory, media criticism, advertising, media law, communication ethics, campaigns, interviewing, and acting.

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Journalism (Print or Electronic):

Journalism involves researching and gathering information and communicating it to the public through writing, speaking, visual, or electronic means. Collegiate enrollment in journalism programs remains fairly steady. Approximately 50 percent of journalism graduates find employment in the field within six to eight months after completing their undergraduate degree.

Careers in journalism include: reporter, editor, newscaster, author, copy writer, script writer, publisher, news service researcher, technical writer, acquisitions editor, media interviewer, and talk show host.

Communication subjects that can enhance a career in journalism include: interviewing, oral communication, public speaking, print communication, interpersonal communication, editing, persuasion, nonverbal communication, oral interpretation, listening, media theory, media criticism, advertising, media research methods, media law and ethics, acting, radio-television production, and announcing.

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Public Relations:

Public relations typically involves managing the public image of an organization or an individual. According to Carl Botan of Purdue University, the field has been growing at a fast rate because (1) the information society allows the reaching of specialized audiences which opens up the public relations field to new and ever-expanding approaches, and (2) public relations has been strongly affected internationally by changing economic structures. It is expected that employment trends will continue to rise as the conception of public relations continues to broaden into areas of international communications and training and development.23

Botan advises anyone planning to enter the field to be aware that "effective writing is absolutely a critical skill." And with the advent of video newsletters and video production as an important aspect of public relations, a background in media production is a necessity for career planning in this area.
This academic major can be found in a journalism, mass communication or communication department. It is sometimes housed in the business school.

Careers in public relations include: publicity manager, advertising manager, marketing specialist, press agent, lobbyist, corporate public affairs specialist, account executive, development officer, fund raiser, membership recruiter, sales manager, media analyst, media planner, creative director, audience analyst, news writer, and public opinion researcher.

Communication subjects that can enhance a career in public relations include: business and professional communication, public speaking, print communication, interpersonal communication, introduction to media systems, organizational communication, media production, listening, interviewing, ethics of communication, persuasion, visual communication, and nonverbal communication.

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Theater / Performing Arts / Dramatic Arts

Theatre, along with mass media, is considered a glamour industry. Some individuals who are interested in entering into a career in the theatre perceive it as a pathway to becoming a "star." Although stars do exist, the majority of people in the field do not reach that level. Successful careers as performers may be had by people who recognize that there are opportunities outside of New York and Los Angeles. There are professional, community, and educational theatres operating throughout the country.

In planning for a career in the theatre keep in mind that individuals who were "stars" in their community or high school productions, will be competing with others who have had similar experiences. The jobs are few, the competition intense. It takes a great deal of dedication, along with talent, to become a successful performer.

It should also be kept in mind, when thinking about a career in drama, that there are off-stage jobs in areas such as theatre management, instruction, technical and production positions.

Degree programs in theatre/performing arts/dramatic arts are sometimes found in a communication department, but more often they are housed in a theatre or performing arts department. Depending on the institution, the focus of the program may include: theatre history/literature, acting, stage speech, stage movement, design, directing, makeup, costuming, theatrical/arts criticism, and theatre/stage management.

Careers in theatre/performing arts/dramatic arts include: performing artist, script writer, producer, director, arts administrator, performing arts educator, costume designer, scenic designer, lighting designer, theatre critic, makeup artist, stage manager, model, theatre professor, and casting director.

Communication subjects that can enhance a career in theatre/ performing/dramatic arts include: theatre criticism, arts management, acting, directing, lighting design, designing for the stage, costume design, theatre appreciation, history of the theatre, oral communication, public speaking, and nonverbal communication.

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