What can I do with a Major in....Speech - Public Address?
A degree in Speech - Public Address reinforces the discipline of effective oral and written communication skills, as well as platform capabilities which strengthens leadership, the foundation for many careers.
Before you begin to look at the different types of opportunities available to Speech - Public Address 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:
Ability to express ideas in writing
Command of grammar/vocabulary
Good listening skills
Excellent oral communication skills
Presentation skills
Analytical skills
Leadership
Decision making skills
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.
A bachelor's degree in Speech - Public Address and the appropriate skills and/or experience can lead to positions as a:
Public relations representative
Account executive
Public information officer
Management analyst
Marketing trainee
Market researcher
Sales representative
Foreign services officer
Speech writer
Fund raiser
Human rights officer
Negotiator
Recruiter
Copy writer
Proofreader
Pollster
Public opinion researcher
Performing artist
Lobbyist
Trainer
Press agent
Community affairs liaison
TV/Radio reporter
Legislative assistant
Labor relations representative, etc.
Experience in the field or an advanced degree could lead to certain positions as:
Director of marketing
Director of training
Teacher/Professor
Advertising sales director
Public opinion expert
Lawyer
Clergy
Elected official
Campaign director, etc
For information on graduate schools, consult Peterson's.
EMPLOYMENT
Typical places of employment are:
Public relations firms
Government
Corporations
Social service organizations
Educational institutions
Consulting firms
Law firms
Advertising firms
Marketing firms
Research and consulting firms
Non profit organizations
Hospitals, etc.
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 Department of Speech Public Address
Speech Public Address Career and Job Resources on the Internet
Places to begin:
Join the Career Centers COACH Program
The Occupational Outlook Handbook
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 33 Irving Place, 3rd Floor New York, NY 10003 (212) 995 - 2230, Fax (212) 995 - 0757
Society for Technical Communication 901 N. Stuart Street, Suite 904 Arlington, VA 22203 (703) 522 - 4114, Fax (703) 522 - 2075 www.stc.org
NY Women in Communications 355 Lexington Avenue, 17th Floor New York, NY 10017 - 6603 (212) 661 - 4737
Association for Business Communication Baruch College, Dept. of Speech 17 Lexington Ave. New York, NY 10010 (212) 387 - 1340
For additional lists of Associations consult the Encyclopedia of Associations.