Effective communication is the foundation of successful businesses and good relations. When communication involves reaching out to the masses, it is called mass communication. Pursuing a mass communication degree helps you to understand how a message is delivered through different media platforms based on social, economical and political contexts. Specialising in the intricacies of communication offers flexible and exciting career opportunities in several key industries.
Communication Studies and Career Prospects
1. Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations
Professionals in advertising, marketing and public relations are mainly responsible for delivering clear, effective contents to consumers and clients while maintaining the reputation and brand identity of a company. This goal is achieved through physical and digital advertisements, press releases, company pitching and presentations as well as interacting with the audience at media events. By carefully planning and executing strategic communication initiatives, the company’s relationship with its consumers and clients can be preserved.
Career pathways: copywriter, brand associate, marketing coordinator, public relations officer.
2. Media
The media industry is made up of organisations that are responsible for the production, publication and distribution of media texts. These texts can be used to inform, entertain or promote a product or service. For instance, news media corporations focus on delivering news to the general public or to a specific community. Mass media entertainment companies, on the other hand, utilise visual communication by producing television shows and movies for all types of audience. As for advertising agencies, they plan and create advertising campaigns for their clients. Meanwhile, non-media industries such as banking also have in-house media departments. Clearly, media and communication jobs are vastly available in media and non-media industries.
Career pathways: scriptwriter, journalist, digital marketer, graphic designer, video producer, social media manager.
3. Human Resources
Communication graduates understand the fundamentals of effective communication skills, which is why they make excellent candidates for the human resources industry. Competent human resource management consists of individuals who can plan and implement good workplace practices alongside their employers. They are involved in recruitment, performance assessment, promotions, job designs and more. Apart from that, they are responsible for handling disputes happening among co-workers. For instance, they help to mediate between two colleagues to find a solution for their conflict. This is to ensure that there is effective communication in the workplace which creates a conducive work environment for everyone.
Career pathways: human resources executive, recruiter, development and training specialist, human resource information system specialist.
4. Business
With communication playing such a crucial role in any business or organisation, having a mass communication degree provides an alternative career route to enter the business world. Generally, graduates of communications studies find work in corporate communications and marketing within the business industry. Every business needs professionals who can communicate the value of its products or services to attract and sustain the customers’ interest. This helps businesses to stand out from their competitors. Besides that, mass communication graduates possess good oral and written communication skills which are important when giving presentations and being involved in collaborative projects.
Career pathways: marketing executive, brand manager, public relations executive, copywriter.
Interested in media and communication studies? INTI International University & Colleges offers the 4+0 Bachelor of Arts in Communication programme to help students develop and deliver key messages to a diverse audience at our partner university in the United States — Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). Accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), students will be exposed to knowledge in all fields of communication with a syllabus that has been designed to meet the requirements of the industry and professional bodies. Enrol at INTI today!