AREAS
ADVERTISING
Creative Services
Media
Research
Account Services
Administration
Print Production
Marketing
Publishing
EMPLOYERS
Advertising agencies
Corporate advertising departments
Media corporations or organizations
Specialty advertising firms
STRATEGIES
Work in sales at campus newspaper, TV or radio station. Obtain student-run business
experience. Find an internship at a market research firm. Demonstrate talent,
persistence, assertiveness, competitive spirit, and enthusiasm. Compile portfolio
of writing, graphics and ideas for creative department. Develop strong computer
skills. Gain statistics, data interpretation, and writing
AREAS
BOOK PUBLISHING
Editorial
Marketing, Promotion, and Sales
Publicity
Production
Subsidiary Rights
Textbooks
Electronic Publishing
EMPLOYERS
Publishers: Tradebooks, Paperbacks, Educational materials, Religious, University
presses, Technical, scientific, and medical, Mail-order
Book clubs
STRATEGIES
Attend summer publishing institute to sharpen skills and contacts. Develop strong
computer and editing skills. Gain knowledge of printing and production. Work
with college or regional magazines and campus publications. Work as a sales
clerk or book buyer in campus or local bookstore. Find internships in area of
interest. Take technical writing courses for technical, scientific, and medical
publications.
AREAS
NEWSPAPER PUBLISHING
Reporting
Editing
Advertising Sales
Circulation
Art and Design
Marketing/Promotion
Photography
Production
EMPLOYERS
Large circulation newspapers
Local newspapers
Wire services
Trade newspapers
Online publishers
STRATEGIES
Find a summer job or internship with a newspaper. Work with college newspaper,
yearbook, or alumni publication. Consider volunteer work for organizations that
produce occasional publications to build your portfolio. Be active in professional
journalism organizations. Demonstrate curiosity, high energy level, and ability
to produce under pressure and to withstand criticism, and excellent grammar
and writing skills. Create a portfolio of writing samples. Develop computer
skills and learn to design web pages.
AREAS
MAGAZINE PUBLISHING
Editorial
Advertising Sales
Promotion and Public Relations
Circulation
Design, Art and Production
Photography
EMPLOYERS
Major publishers: Consumer magazines, Specialized magazines, Technical and industrial
publications, Professional publications, Merchandising and trade publications,
Educational journals, In-house publications, News magazines, Professional associations,
Religious organizations,
STRATEGIES
Secure internship, part-time, or summer job with publisher, magazine, or print
shop. Work on campus publications. Get sales experience. Join a professional
journalism organization. Demonstrate creative spirit, writing skills, verbal
skills, and proofreading ability. Create a portfolio of writing samples.
AREAS
TELEVISION
Programming-Production
News
Advertising Sales
Promotion
Administration
EMPLOYERS
Major networks
Commercial broadcast stations
Public television stations
Cable television
Private television production
Government
Business Corporations
STRATEGIES
Secure internships. Gain experience in campus or local stations or independent
production companies (latter for production). Join campus newspaper or publications
staff. Participate in drama club directing, acting, or technical crew.
Become a debate club participant. Develop good writing, reporting, and editing
skills. Gain knowledge of community and its needs. Demonstrate curiosity, confidence,
assertiveness, creativity, initiative, outgoing personality, tact and diplomacy.
AREAS
RADIO
News
Sales
Programming
Production
Promotion
Administration
EMPLOYERS
National networks
National public radio
State or regional networks
Major, medium, and small market stations
Independent syndications
STRATEGIES
Gain campus or local radio experience. Secure internships. Announce sports events,
for college teams. Host music programming for parties and social events.
Coordinate, program, and promote musical events. Demonstrate imagination, writing
and verbal skills, sense of humor, and showmanship.
AREAS
ELECTRONIC MEDIA
Writing and Editing
Art and Design
System Maintenance
Research
Advertising Sales
EMPLOYERS
Online news sources
Media firms
Internet radio
STRATEGIES
Work on college publications, radio, or TV stations. Get practical experience
by designing websites and securing internships within internet broadcasting
and news sources. Develop strong research and writing skills. Gain exceptional
computer skills through additional computer courses in web design and graphic
design. Develop creativity and enhance communication, research, and strategic
thinking skills.
AREAS
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Account Management
Research
Health Communication
Writing and Editing
Special Events
Media Relations
Risk and Crisis Communication
Fund Raising
Marketing Communication
Management/Administration
EMPLOYERS
Public relations firms
Advertising agency related PR firms
Corporate in-house public relations departments
Trade associations
Government agencies
Colleges and universities
Nonprofit organizations
Labor unions
Hospitals
STRATEGIES
Secure internships. Get practical experience. Develop strong research and writing
skills. Perfect public speaking ability. Demonstrate enthusiasm, interpersonal
skills, persuasion, team work, integrity, good judgment, and intelligence. Develop
creativity and initiative. Develop planning and strategic thinking skills.
AREAS
TECHNICAL WRITING
Writing and Editing
Technical Promotion
News Releases
Technical Advertising
Technical Films
Recording Companies
EMPLOYERS
Hardware manufacturers
Software companies
Industry: Automotive, Aerospace, Precision instrument, Engineering
Technical publications: journals and magazines
Research laboratories
Colleges and universities
Government agencies
Self-employed
STRATEGIES
Work on college newspaper and campus publications. Join professional journalism
or communications organizations. Develop computer and editing skills. Perfect
clear and concise writing abilities. Demonstrate patience, flexibility, and
strong interpersonal skills.
GENERAL INFORMATION
While a bachelor's degree provides a broad background for entry-level positions,
advanced degrees are often necessary for higher administrative and specialized
positions.
Be prepared to start at the bottom and work your way to positions of greater responsibility.
Many people effectively use degrees in communications to break into business-related careers, such as management or sales. To facilitate this path, take business courses or consider minoring in business.
Join and get involved with the work of on-campus and national professional associations, groups, and organizations.
Develop excellent technical and computer skills, especially internet proficiency and knowledge.
Consider shadowing or informational interviewing to gain information, develop contacts, build mentoring relationships, and gain entry into a competitive field.
Seek opportunities for experience in any performance situation such as drama, debate, public speaking, music or athletics in order to demonstrate talent as well as ability to handle pressure.
Save work along the course of your studies and employment to be used for a portfolio. It is better to have too much to choose from instead of too little.
Be willing to relocate geographically for increased opportunities. Large urban areas often have the most opportunities.
Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of
Tennessee, Knoxville. (2005) UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA
Employer