Is A Communications Degree Worth It?

Yes, a degree in communications is worth it. Communications degrees allow students to study the way people communicate with one another, how information is shared between individuals, groups, explore their roles as consumers and citizens of modern society.

Communication Industry Growth

The labor statistics suggest that job opportunities for those who earn a communications degree will increase by ten percent in a couple of years. This growth is attributed to the high turnover rates within the media and entertainment industry during times of rapid change. Advanced degrees could increase job opportunities even further for graduates in this field.

Communications programs provide students with a background in the liberal arts and allow them to explore the flow of information between various systems. The study of communications can be seen at virtually any institution, from business schools offering degrees in marketing and public relations to media programs at four-year universities.

Communications degrees can be obtained from community colleges, and students can also find them in large state universities. Some liberal arts schools also offer communications degrees. There are plenty of communications jobs available with the potential for high pay depending on the industry one chooses to work in for those who want to make a career out of this degree.

If someone is looking for a communications degree, it will help them look at some of the best schools in this field. For instance, Columbia College offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication studies online and on campus. This program will allow students to study rhetoric and interpersonal relations while also earning other subjects like public speaking along the way.

Average Communication Salary

According to recent estimates, the average starting salary for an accounting degree holder is $56,850. For a communications major making the same choice, their expected salary ranges from $54,200 at graduation to $48,700 after completing their bachelor’s program. This means that about half of all communications school graduates will be earning an average salary within a few years of graduation.

When considering the incomes of recent graduates, keep in mind that averages can vary depending on your field and experience. Recent graduates from communications earning a median income of $45,000. That’s still quite a bit higher than the $33,500 national average for all bachelor’s degree holders.

Journalism & English Major

If students want to study journalism, they should consider obtaining an English or English education degree with a minor in journalism. After earning this degree, students can learn how to find sources, write stories, and become a journalist for their specific industry.

Due to such a wide range of concentrations within the field, those who earn a degree in this subject can pursue several careers. Some graduates may find employment in the media industry, where they could work as anything from journalists to film editors.

Others might seek employment within larger organizations such as corporations and political institutions, where they study communication strategies related to projects and events throughout an organization.

Many programs offer internships that provide students with hands-on experience in their field. This can be especially beneficial to those interested in working within the media, as many internships are offered during the summer months.

The skills learned through this concentration can also be applied outside of a formal academic setting. Those with communications degrees are frequently active members in professional organizations that provide students with opportunities to network with other alumni, prospective employers, and peers.

The fastest field in communication is probably social media marketing. Perhaps the key to having a communications degree is learning to use social media tools such as Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin. 

As society moves more towards online interaction, having an added skill in internet marketing can make a big difference. and ss a result, understanding the world of social media is critical. This way, one will contribute to making business decisions based on quantitative data. This could prove beneficial when determining if acquired customers are worth the cost of advertising.

Social Media & Communications

Because of the current popularity of social media and it isn’t going away anytime soon, it’s probably a good idea to study social media marketing. It’s an overgrowing industry, and while many people don’t view it as a career opportunity, some companies are making their entire business model based on social media.

Social media one of the most effective forms of marketing communication due to its two-way engagement between business and consumer. This type of marketing is a key factor in a successful company as it provides the business with instant feedback from its customers. 

Social media marketers use this form of communication to gain an insight into how consumers interact with their product or service and then adopt strategies accordingly. 

In addition, social media allows businesses to collect customer data used for market research. Marketing is also an integral part of advertising and public relations, which are both foundational aspects of communications.

Top 10 communication degree skills

The top 10 communication degree skills are data analysis, persuasion, writing for different contexts, presentation skills, listening, coordination, research functions, customer service relations, nonverbal communication, and marketing.

Having good data analysis skills is required for marketing, specifically social media marketing. Understanding how different audiences interact with specific content can prove beneficial for any company looking to gain more online exposure. 

Presentation skills are also something that companies will be looking for when finding potential employees. If a person cannot convey their ideas and information in a way that is understandable and accessible, then they won’t be of much help to the company.

How useful is a B.A. in Communications?

According to the Communications Career Network, 42 percent of communications professionals hold a B.A. in communications, and an additional 18 percent have a bachelor’s degree in a related field. The B.A. in communication focuses on developing communication skills that can be used to critically assess any form of communication, whether it is text, sound, image, or video.

Employer’s value this degree for its versatility because graduates can apply their communication skills to several fields, including marketing, public relations, politics, journalism, or teaching. They’re also well-prepared for graduate school in various fields, such as law or public policy.

Practical Skills For a B.A. in Communications

It’s critical to consider how you’ll apply your degree in the workplace. After all, that’s an integral part of what makes a degree valuable. While many people envision highly technical disciplines, such as law or medicine, as useful due to their intellectual rigor and complexity.  It’s important to remember that some of the most lucrative and practical degrees are in the humanities and social sciences.

In Conclusion

A communication degree is worth it for journalism and marketing careers. The skills gained will help people succeed in any career field. They are adaptable and can be used in any situation. The salaries of many professionals in this degree are higher than the average for all other bachelor’s degree holders.