The study of communication, which was the beginning of my Communication Studies degree program, has provided the fundamental principles of the meaning and process of communication. Communication is important because it is an ongoing process, which involves the sending and receiving of messages through different mediums and channel. The study of communication provided areas of concentration such as communication theory, media technologies, media writing, technical writing, and delivering bad news. A Communication Studies degree will provide a pathway for many potential career opportunities in the future.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Monday, April 4, 2011
Communication Studies Career Fields
A Communication Studies Bachelor of Arts degree will provide opportunities in many different career fields. These different career fields will promote growth and advancement for a new and exciting career path. The following are five Communication Studies career fields.
Communications Specialists
Communications specialists establish positive relationships with the public and mass media on behalf of their clients. The median annual salary for communications specialists were $51,960 in 2009. Potential growth will grow much faster than average at 24% through 2018. This is a very competitive field. Credentials include a bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing and journalism. Communications specialists are required to have 2-3 years of experience in advertising and public relations work (Education-Portal, 2011).
Copy Writers
Copy writers prepare advertising copy for use in publications or for broadcasting and they write other materials to promote the sale of a good or service. Median annual wages for salaried writers were $53,070 in May 2008. Employment is expected to grow as fast as average. Writing and editing jobs are very competitive and many people are attracted to this occupation. The credentials required are a bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, or English. Experience with electronic publishing, graphics, Web design, and multimedia production are needed (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2011).
Market Research Analysts
Market research analysts help companies understand what types of products people want, determine who will bury them and at what price. Median annual salary is $61,070. Potential growth for market research analysts will come from market research and public opinion polling industry, which employs many survey researchers. A bachelor’s degree in communications is required. Researchers need strong quantitative skills, and increased knowledge of web-based surveys experience (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2011).
Public Relations Specialists
Public relations specialists serve as advocates for clients seeking to build and maintain positive relationships with the public. Clients include corporations, nonprofit organizations, universities, hospitals, and other organizations. Median annual wages for salaried public relations specialists were $51,280 in May 2008. Potential growth for public relations specialists are expected to grow at 24% through 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations. A bachelor’s degree in communications-related field combined with public relations experience are credentials and experience required (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2011).
Technical Writers or Technical Communicators
Technical writers or technical communicators are responsible for putting technical information into language that is easy to understand. Technical writers develop documentation for computer programs and setup communication systems with consumers to assess customer satisfaction and quality control matters. Median annual wages for salaried technical writers were $61,620 in May 2008. Job growth is expected to be good for individuals with solid writing and communications skills and a technical background. The required credentials and experience are a bachelor’s degree, excellent writing and communication skills, and the ability to express ideas clearly and logically in a variety of media (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2011).
The market research analyst is the career path that I am interested in. This would be a totally different career path for me. However, this career is not set in stone. I am still searching for a “lifelong” learning career.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics (2011). U.S.
Education-Portal.com (2011). Job description of a communications specialist. Retrieved March 28 from, http://education-portal.com/articles/Job_Description_of_a_Communications_Specialist.html
Media Writing and Technical Writing
Media writing are different forms of mass communication, which includes television, radio, magazines, and newspapers, with writers involved in both writing and production. Some media writing samples are:
News releases
Press releases
News letters
Media Kits
News conferences
Video news releases
The following is a fictional sample news release, which was created for a Public Relations (CGD 318) class assignment.
ABBOTT
Ensure Shakes
Bone Health and Supplemental Strength
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Barbara Thompson, Global Nutrition
843-264-7488
ABBOTT ANNOUNCES NEW ENSURE
BONE HEALTH AND SUPPLEMENTAL STRENGTH SHAKES
Ensure Bone Health shakes are available in four delicious flavors: chocolate raspberry, vanilla, strawberry, and banana. Ensure Supplemental Strength shakes are available in three delicious flavors: milk chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.
-more-
GLOBAL NUTRITION •
-2-
Bone health and supplemental strength shakes will help to protect bone loss for the aging. Both new bone health and supplemental strength shakes provide an excellent source of 24 essential vitamin and minerals, which are low in saturated fat and cholesterol.
John Smith, Abbott’s vice president of Research & Development has developed bone health and supplemental strength shakes with HMB, an ingredient that will help to support bone mass and function in healthy active adults.
ABBOTT Ensure shakes are available in reclosable plastic bottles with a 6-pack carton with 1 8 fl. oz. bottle per serving. The suggested retail price is $6.99 for a 6-pack carton.
Global Nutrition is based in Columbus , Georgia
XXXX
Technical writing allows technical writers to deliver language that is understandable language for instructions, manuals, and catalogs, while the technical communicator focuses on the user experience in all its forms. Technical communicators not only update manuals, they develop videos, podcasts, and other multimedia communications, as well as traditional print materials (Society for Technical Communication, 2009, p. 1).
Examples of technical writing are: user manuals, software installation guides, standard operating procedures, and service level agreement.
User Manuals provides documentation for different electronics such as televisions, cell phones, and DVD players
Software Installation Guides are computer software information for installation
Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) are procedures and instructions to perform many tasks in organizations
Service Level Agreement (SLA) is a binding contract which provides services, guarantees, and warranties between two parties (Technical Writing Aid, 2011, p. 1).
References
Society for Technical Communication (2009). Telling our powerful story. Retrieved November 10, 2010, from http://www.stc.org/story/
Technical Writing Aid.com (2011). Examples of technical writing. Retrieved April 8, 2011, from http://www.technicalwritingaid.com/examples_of_technical_writing.html
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