Communications

What Can I Do With a Major in Communications?

A degree in Communication Arts prepares you to understand the expression, collection and dissemination of visual, oral and written symbols.

Before you begin to look at the different types of opportunities available to Communication Arts majors, you must look at yourself and ask yourself a few basic questions:

What am I good at?
Understand your major strengths, skills and accomplishments. Some examples of skills and qualities employers look for are:

Listening
Problem solving
Decision making
Oral and written communication
Interpersonal
Excellent command of English language
Public speaking
Ability to meet deadlines
Perseverance
Assertiveness
Creativity
Analytical

What do I like to do?
Examine your interests. What kind of life style do I want to lead? Examine your values...is money what you're after, job security, challenging work?

If you are having trouble answering these questions, you are not alone. Make an appointment with an advisor in the Career Center. We want to help you!

POSITIONS
Once you know yourself, you are ready to decide where and how you want to apply this knowledge.

With a bachelor's degree in Communication Arts you are eligible for positions as:
Account executives
Public relations representatives
Fund-raisers
Advertising agents
Promotional agents
Assistant editors
Production assistants
Researchers
Camera operators, etc.

Experience in the field or an advanced degree could lead to certain positions as:
Radio/TV announcers
Newscasters
Editors
Teachers
Journalists
Newspaper/magazine reporters

For information on graduate schools, consult Peterson's.

EMPLOYMENT
Typical places of employment include:

• ABC
• HBO
• The Staten Island Advance
• MTV
• Major Public Relations firms
• Advertising Agencies
• Katz Communications
• Scholastic Press
• Others have opened their own businesses
  

LEARN MORE To help you decide which area to pursue you must do in-depth research into each area of specialization and/or industry you have an interest in. St. John's University Communication Arts Department Communication Arts Career and Job Resources on the Internet Places to begin: Join the Career Centers COACH Program The Occupational Outlook Handbook Breaking Into Communications, Bob Weinstein Careers in Communications, Shonan F.R. Noronha Making it in the Media Professions, Leonard Mogel Talk to people in the field, talk to your professors, write to and/or join one of the following associations: Public Relations Society of America, Inc. 33 Irving Place NY, NY 10003-2376 (212) 995 - 2230 www.prsa.org National Association of Broadcasters 1771 North St., NW Washington, DC 20036 (202) 429 - 5300 www.nab.org International Association of Business Communicators, 1 Hallidie Plaza Suite 600, San Francisco, CA 94102 (415) 433 - 3400 www.iabc.com International Radio & Television Society 420 Lexington Ave., Suite 1714 NY, NY 10170 (212) 867 - 6650 www.irts.org American Advertising Federation 1101 Vermont Ave., NW, Suite 500 Washington, DC 20005 (202) 898 - 0089 www.aaf.org For additional lists of Associations consult the Encyclopedia of Associations.