Some Career Choices for the Business Communications Student

Admissions Counselor

• Description: Admissions Counselors' careers might include conducting interviews, answering correspondence and telephone inquiries, advising prospective students and their parents on admissions policies and academic requirements, providing high school and community college counselors, prospective students and parents, faculty and staff with information on admissions policies, procedures and decisions. Other duties include: assisting in on-campus recruiting activities, reviewing applications, writing letters and reports to area high schools, and working with other admissions staff.
  
• Details: A career in this field will allow you to participate in the development and implementation of recruitment programs and projects, plan meetings, develop publications, write program budgets, and report on projects. It's a great job for multi-taskers with excellent oral and written communication skills.
  

Book/Movie Reviewer

• Description: Generally hired by publications (journals, magazines, online magazines, etc.), reviewers find it takes many years to establish their credentials as objective analysts. A good start is with a local weekly or monthly news tabloid that pays for reviews by the page as a supplement to a full-time job in journalism.
  
• Details: Book or movie reviewers must love to read or watch movies with an open mind. They must also have excellent analysis and writing skills and be able to meet deadlines. Reviewers should be original, humorous, stimulating, believable and insightful, in order to provoke and inform the reader's opinion.
  

Community Affairs Director

• Description: Directors of Community Affairs must maintain close working relationships with neighborhood and community program and communications staff, local volunteers and city and state agencies. They direct and coordinate local management programs, communicating their activities to the public and serving as liaisons to many sectors.
  
• Details: Community Affairs workers must have outstanding leadership, interpersonal and team building skills, and be able to work with many volunteers. Generally, they need some experience dealing with government, civic, business leaders and media in the community. Strong oral and written communication skills are important.
  

Copy Editor

• Description: Depending on the organization in which the editing is being done, the copy editor may be a jack-of-all-trades, fact-checking and editing as well as offering advice on rewriting.
  
• Details: Often offered a per-page fee, copy editors are careful examiners of other people's writing. They are the final line of proof before a work goes into print. Copy editors must be completely familiar with elements of grammar, style, and technicality. They must understand the jargon and language of the forum in which they edit and must be incredibly patient and painstaking.
  

Customer Service

• Description: Customer Service typically involves helping consumers with some aspect of their needs. This could be in the retail or service sectors, or in health care, corporate, or private management areas. Many of these positions involve strong telephone skills as well.
  
• Details: Good communication skills and the desire to serve customers are essential. Those interested in this field might also be providing direction and guidance for other employees. They may be involved with operational standards, merchandising, profit and loss policies and human resource standards.
  

Editor

• Description: Editors are responsible for the final quality of a publication, whether a newspaper, magazine, or book. They organize, plan, and layout publications; review proposals; and select material. They review, edit, and rewrite the work of writers. They must have excellent knowledge of grammar, proofreading skill, and familiarity with publishing and graphic design software. Large newspapers and magazines have many types of editors, including managing editors, assignment editors, and page or section editors. Entry level copy editors and production assistants proofread for grammar, style, accuracy, and readability.
  
• Details: Editors must know basic computer programs, including word processing, publishing software and graphics systems. They often work directly with others on projects, including artists, typesetters, layout personnel, marketing directors and production managers.
  

Event Planner

• Description: Event planners arrange, implement and negotiate all of the logistical arrangements for conventions, parties, conferences, concerts, or any other kind of social, recreational, educational, cultural, political or governmental event.
  
• Details: A career in this field demands good organizational skills as well as an outgoing personality. Event planners coordinate and oversee arrangements for all meetings, social events, off-site activities, hotel arrangements, and recommending hotels, caterers, venues, trips, activities, and materials for the client. They must be able to remain calm during a crisis, and diplomacy and tact are essential.
  

Human Resources

• Description: Human Resource personnel are the mediators between employers and employees. They have to be organized, analytical, business-minded, and interested in serving people's needs.
  
• Details: Human Resource personnel recruit and interview potential employees, design and administer new programs for them, manage and administer their benefits, determine proper compensation, maintain records, deal with labor unions and legal issues including occupational safety, diversity, disabilities and sexual harassment.
  

Journalist/Reporter/News Analyst/Critic

• Description: Journalists and reports gather information, interview people, write stories, and report news. News analysts and commentators interpret the stories and write editorials or opinion pieces. Reviewers and critics help readers decide what movies to see, what books to read, what plays to attend, what music to listen to, and where to eat. Training in journalism, excellent writing skills and experience on a college newspaper are all assets in getting jobs in journalism. Reporters are inquisitive, out-going, and able to work under pressure. Commentators must have acute insight into news events and be able to analyze trends. Critics must present their opinions persuasively. For all hours may be long and demanding, especially near deadlines.
  
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Lobbyist

• Description: Lobbyists have to understand both the written and unwritten rules of legislative procedure in order to influence legislation. They have to be able to assess the realistic chances of a bill being passed in order to take action.
  
• Details: Lobbyists must have an understanding of how parliamentary procedure works, and they need an ability to speak clearly in public. They must be good researchers, writers and social creatures. They spend much time interfacing with constituents and politicos alike, so they need to be able to determine audience trends, and they have to enjoy the intrigue of government.
  

Magazine Writer

• Description: Those who don't want to go into straight news writing and reporting might think about feature writers for magazines. Generally perceived as "softer" than hard news, magazine journalism still requires a lot of research, interviewing, and rewriting for deadlines.
  
• Details: Entry-level positions demand creativity, versatility, a desire to learn and a strong work ethic. Magazine writers, especially freelancers, develop their own stories, conduct interviews, and do their own research for feature-length texts. They must be able to conduct solid interviews and know how to fact-check.
  

Management

• Description: Entry-level management jobs often appeal to a variety of students who are unsure of the direction they want their careers to take. They may oversee contracts, schedules, budgets, inventory, research data, and Human Resource requests. They are often the focal point for customer communications and interface.
  
• Details: A career in management demands good organizational skills and the ability to see the big picture. Managers are concerned with employees as well as with the general good of the company. They work in teams, attend meetings, arrange in-services, conduct sales and develop business. In large companies there are many types of managers including promotion, marketing, sales, and public relations managers. Most companies also provide career training and development for those on management tracks.

Marketing, Sales and Advertising

• Description: People working in marketing, sales and advertising are involved with the most important activity of any business or institution--the effective and profitable delivery of a service or product. Managers in these areas supervise the various departments, devise the marketing strategy, and oversee promotions and sales. They must be organized and enthusiastic about the product and company. While employers value business courses, internships, and experience, many seek personnel who also have a strong liberal arts background.
  
• Details: A career in this field often requires strong people skills, a sense of competitiveness, sales experience, the ability to function and perform under pressure, and great flexibility. One must understand brand imaging and have strong communication skills, project management and analytical skills. Those who are good listeners will do well. Compensation is also performance-based.
  

Media Buyer

• Description: Media Buyers confer with clients to determine advertising goals and target audiences. They conduct research to reach preferred customers, develop marketing plans and present with radio and television stations and they track the success of commercial spots. Finally, the continually review advertising rates to make sure clients receive the best possible prices.
  
• Details: Media Buyers can make good salaries, often based on a starting rate with commission, but they may have to put in long hours (which may extend in to the weekend), be able to work under pressure and be free to travel occasionally.
  

Nonprofit Organizations

• Description: Nonprofit organization, literally, are tax-exempt organizations that perform a variety of public services without engaging in commercial activities. The National Wildlife Association, UNICEF, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), the National Education Association (NEA), and many other foundations, charities, cultural organizations, social services, religious organizations, and professional associations are nonprofit organizations. While many such groups use some volunteers, they function as businesses and employ workers in many capacities. Those working in the nonprofits could find themselves doing a wide variety of tasks each day.
  
• Details: Though salaries may not be the motivator to choose a career in the not-for-profit sector, it's impossible not to go home each day feeling good. The work is diverse and the many volunteers offer a variety of work partners. Jobs include organizing events, rallies, activities and programs, conducting research and writing press releases. Strengths in marketing and planning are essential, as well as interpersonal skills.
  

Photojournalism

• Description: Photojournalists must have an ability to shoot on location and in studio both digitally and with film, be aware of deadlines, and be able to work well alone and as a member of a team.
  
• Details: Those who want to work in photojournalism should be able to show a range of styles, techniques and creativity with any subject. Most must have their own equipment. They must be able to problem-solve quickly in challenging situations. Some advanced photography courses are a must.
  

Press Secretary

• Description: Though the job varies depending on the particular organization, press secretaries generally manage incoming press requests and act as liaisons with the press.
  
• Details: Press secretaries conduct press outreach, developing and pitching stories to media outlets nationwide. They write press releases, opinion pieces, and sometimes speeches. They organize media events, including press conferences, and compile press lists, cultivate press relationships, and tracking current issues.
  

Printing

• Description: Many opportunities exist in the commercial printing sales arena. This kind of job requires a knowledge of pre-press printing and print buying, and strong people skills for sales work.
  
• Details: Along with a thorough knowledge of print manufacturing, this career demands the ability to build and maintain customer relationships. Printing is the third-largest manufacturing industry in the U.S.; printing jobs in Maryland are up 25%.
  

Public Opinion Pollster

• Description: Pollsters are often involved in assessing voter intent, but the private sector also hires pollsters to collect data for any number of projects, including the need for focus groups. They also compose and conduct internet-based and telephone polls in addition to face-to-face contact.
  
• Details: Those involved in polling have much in common with some researchers and lobbyists, in that they are directed in their quest. They must have an analytical mind, be clear and concise writers, and be able to analyze and interpret statistical data as well.
  

Public Relations

• Description: Public relations specialists establish, maintain, and promote the image and reputation of a business or institution. They insure good communication between the business and the consumer, the community, and government. They must be tactful and able to balance the interests of various groups. They provide information about the company and, depending on size and the nature of the business, they handle all areas of publicity connected with the business. An internship is a good way to gain experience and learn the responsibilities of this job.
  
• Details: Those in public relations work with clients to service and develop relationships with their customers, so strong interpersonal skills are necessary. Areas of account management, teamwork, inside administration, and portfolio development appeal to those who are self-motivated and assertive. A polished and professional image is essential.
  

Publicist

• Description: Publicists are involved in public relations for one particular client, or, more likely, for a number of clients, who wish to get their own creative or research material into print. Publishing houses regularly hire good readers and editors in starting positions that begin at about $32,000 a year for (on average) a 45-50 hour work week.
  
• Details: Publicists must be patient. Their priority is to gain press coverage for the client. Generally speaking, publicists want their client to receive good press. They also perform "damage control," turning negative publicity into fame for the client. Because so much attention is focused on the client, a major portion of a publicists' days are spent on the phones or writing press releases for their clients.
  

Researcher

• Description: Straight out of college, students may find employment opportunities doing research for documentary films, brochures and exhibits at historic sites and museums, and documents to help business or government agencies understand their past when making decisions that will shape the future. Graduate study may also be required for certain research positions.
  
• Details: Those who might enjoy this kind of position must have strong attention to detail, solid written and oral skills, proficiency in word processing and databases, and proficiency on the Internet. They should have strong phone and interpersonal skills as well to get results in fact-checking. They should also have good judgment and strong analytical and evaluation skills.
  

Student Services

• Description: Working in the field of student services usually implies a job on a college campus in the area of campus life. Student services departments develop, direct and supervise the programs for student life within the college or residential community.
  
• Details: Campus life staffs offer a support system established to assist students in achieving their personal, social, education and career/life skills and goals. Those in the office might work on manuals, publications, in-service training, workshops, trips, activities, and orientation events. Team players and those with good interpersonal and organizational skills would be great for this area.
  

Teacher

• Description: Teachers work in classrooms with content-based material, depending on the subject. An advanced degree is needed for college-level teaching, and many public schools systems require state certification, although private schools will hire a qualified candidate without certification.
  
  There are opportunities to teach all age groups, from preschoolers to senior citizens about living things. For preschool, elementary school and high school education courses as well as biology and other sciences courses are part of the program. To teach biological sciences in a college or university, a master's or doctor's degree is usually required.
  
• Details: To teach biological sciences in a college or university, a master's or doctor's degree in the specific discipline is usually required. Those with other degrees may think about teaching any kind of writing or business-type courses. Many high schools are looking for those with a graphics and/or journalism background to help with publications.
  

Technical Writer

• Description: Technical writers must understand the field they are writing about and be able to translate that information into language that is easy to understand. They write manuals, instructions and proposals, and promotion materials. They also research, write, and edit technical material, illustrations, catalogs, and charts. Additionally, technically writers must have the ability to handle multiple projects, and couple with that a "get the job done" attitude.
  
• Details: Writers often handle news digest projects and monitor the media for relevant articles to a company's particular interests. They write articles and fact check and conduct research as needed. Usually they develop a particular field of interest and expertise, as in science and health writing, or educational writing.
  

Television Reporter

• Description: A reporter's job requires stamina, physical fitness and stern emotions. Because reports often have to report lie from a scene, they should be willing to work long hours, forego weekends, holidays and special occasions, and be ready on a moment's notice.
  
• Details: Reporters gather information, investigate leads, write and report stories live on the scene, which requires them to take and compile notes accurately. Some reporters, however, work on long-term assignments that require lengthier research and interviewing.
  

Traffic Manager

• Description: Traffic managers need to be highly organized and diplomatic as they liaise with account services, graphics studios and creative teams to make sure jobs go into and come out of each area by deadline. Generally they are responsible for assigning jobs, signing off on purchase orders and coordinating job sign-off.
  
• Details: Traffic managers need to be especially well-organized, careful in their attention to detail, and able to delegate and then monitor job assignments. They need to be able to asses their team's abilities and assign jobs as needed.
  

Web Writer

• Description: Online writers and web page designers create and design web pages for business, industry, government, and educational institutions. Web writers often transform print documents into effective web sites. In addition to being clear and concise writers, they must know principles of web page layout and design, programming and coding, and appropriate web page software.
  
• Details: Web writers must have solid English language skills (usage, grammar, spelling) and enjoy a quiet atmosphere. They need excellent computer skills and knowledge of writing and publishing for the web, as well as some experience with HTML and an understanding of web structure, process, design and database programs. They are generally very detail-oriented.