Communication Jobs (letters, apply, degrees, tips)

[kattwoman2]

I have a Bachelors degree with honors in Communication and I am currently in the process of getting a degree in Integrated Marketing Communications (PR, Advertising, Media, New Media, and Marketing). I'm barely 23 and I'm fairly open-minded about what field I want to work. I currently work as a marketing assistant, but I live in a very small, super conservative town in the South which is sort of draining my soul a bit (not depressed, but it's hard not having to hide your excitement about Obama or having to hide the fact that you think gay marriage is okay).

I used to work for a college newspaper, have some media classes under my belt when I studied abroad (along with voice over work), have some technology skills in terms of learning software rather quickly since I worked at my college's technology branch for 3 years, and I am proficient in Spanish. I know the job market has tanked, but I'm still open to looking for jobs since 1) I would like to move to a city where people are more open-minded and talk about more things than the Bible and NASCAR (no offense) and 2) The company I work for is dependant upon how much they sell, and last year alone they fired six people. While I don't plan on leaving until I save up at least $10,000; I also know that I should be keeping an eye out on the job markets just in case my currently employer decides that they're not making enough money and starts laying off workers (since I'm just an assistant).

I'm wondering if anyone has any information on the following job fields, such as how hard it is to get into them, tips on getting into them, and whether or not the availability of these jobs is good or has tanked:

* Journalism
* PR
* Advertising
* Media (executive assitant, stage manager, etc.)
* Marketing

I know it seems broad, but I'm just curious about the overall market and if you have any idea of particulars I'll be interested in that as well. Also, before you comment, yes I know a lot of people think it's a worthless major. However, I was also informed at the time that it would give me more opportunities than my other plan of an English/Theater double major.

[movin'on]

Well, I have an undergraduate in communications. Don't listen to the naysayers who want to say it's a worthless degree. You are already a marketing assistant which is a very good start. What I'd try to do is to add some quantitative skills to the mix. I always thought that was a good thing to do. I did get an MBA in marketing which helped. Don't forget multi-media, which I guess is pretty important these days. Look at it this way, there are certainly wayyy more worthless majors and you can branch off into HR, Journalism, Public Relations, Writing, etc.

[kattwoman2]

Originally Posted by movin'on

Well, I have an undergraduate in communications. Don't listen to the naysayers who want to say it's a worthless degree. You are already a marketing assistant which is a very good start. What I'd try to do is to add some quantitative skills to the mix. I always thought that was a good thing to do. I did get an MBA in marketing which helped. Don't forget multi-media, which I guess is pretty important these days. Look at it this way, there are certainly wayyy more worthless majors and you can branch off into HR, Journalism, Public Relations, Writing, etc.

Woo-hoo! Nice to meet a fellow Com major . I originally wanted to get into the media field, especially in terms of being a stage manager or interviewer/reporter for news shows. However, I'm keeping my options open. Most people recommended against getting a Masters--except for my professors in my undergraduate program--but I figured it would help me since Com is a broad major and it would give me more skills in other areas.

The company I work for depends on other people making sales. I mostly do the work that needs to be done to pick up the slack. It's a decent job, but I have to keep and eye out since the company is known for firing and hiring people on whim. Even my boss--whose not the head honcho--told me that I was smart to keep searching and he's even searching for a new job as well since he just got his MBA. I don't think my degree counts as an MBA, and it will be another 2 years since I'm only a part-time student, but it's still a degree .

I'm hoping to move out of here by 2010 though for more opportunities and skills. Not to mention a better social environment. However, I'm trying to figure out which of the fields I mentioned above are still hiring or if they are all freezing up.

[kattwoman2]

Originally Posted by FarNorthDallas

Yeah, I'm one of those communications degree people who say it's worthless (not the general fact I have a degree, that's good, but the particular degree it is - Journalism/Public Relations).

Newspaper journalism is almost dead. There have been massive layoffs all over the country. Talented writers have been laid off everywhere. Some newspapers will fold up shop this year. Magazines are in decline, but you might be able to get some freelance stuff published and make $400/article. Internet writing pays very little. A weekly blog entry on a newspaper's website will pay $50/week.

Public relations and marketing are often the first departments eliminated when corporations are suffering (and I am sure you have noticed that corporations are suffering right now). It's hard to prove what those departments add to the bottom line. Entry level PR folks make just above minimum wage and they can hold down the fort rather than a $90,000 VP of PR with an expense account.

Your Spanish is a huge plus if you are in a state with a lot of Spanish speakers. Your young age is also in your favor.

I ended up being a paralegal.

Thanks for the information. I live in Virginia, and it's not anywhere near DC, so very few people here need a person who speaks Spanish. I tried utilizing my technology skills, but there's a bunch of people who have tech degrees but no jobs right now as well. I think the tech part was one of the few reasons why I was hired as a marketing assistant to be honest. However, I work super hard and my boss is super impressed with the job I do, but it's the head honchos who are in charge of layoffs and often they are locked away in the office and only notice 1) If I have something productive on my computer screen when they walk by or 2) If they get a datasheet or drawing with the information they need or errors.

I also thought my age would be a deterrant since most people would think I'm too inexperienced even though during my 3 years in the technology department I worked 2 of those years as a student supervisor. I was thinking about trying more freelance work and maybe get an opportunity of working for the online version of some papers. I have some media connections, but they are either in Canada or England, and from what I heard it's very difficult for me to get a job in either place unless 1) I'm sponsored by a company or 2) I marry someone from the area.

[maf763]

One thing to consider might be the non-profit world. Small non-profits might have a single person that might write grants, publish newsletters, troubleshoot technology, do PR, and coordinate fundraising efforts. They also don't pay a lot, so they are more likely to hire a younger person who is eager to learn the ropes. It's one way to apply a number of your skills (including, potentially, your Spanish) and gain experience, though you won't get rich doing so.

The other thing I would do if I was in your position would be to publish a blog about something you are interested in. This would not be for the purpose of making money necessarily, but you could build a portfolio of your work and show your skills. There are plenty of free sites you can use.