Four Careers With a Master’s in Communication Degree
Posted: June 26, 2020 | Author: Grace Thorkelson and Fidele Koffi | Read Time: 3 minutes
It’s no secret that communication is an essential skill that is used in every vocation and profession, from construction to medicine and even information technology. That is just one reason why the Master of Arts in Professional Communication program at Southern Utah University has proven to be so beneficial to graduates. Students are given a range of exceptional opportunities that will hone their verbal and written communication skills, from advertising to public relations, journalism, and broadcasting.
Four Jobs for Professional Communication Graduates
Public Relations Specialist
Public relations specialists focus on helping organizations and companies distinguish themselves in a way that the public can identify and resonate with. The Balance Careers explained it this way, “communication majors are well positioned to think strategically about how to influence public perceptions through the media. PR professionals write press releases, organize press conferences and other events, and convince the media that stories about the organization have journalistic merit.”
If working to provide a clear understanding and portrayal of a large organization or even a small business interests you, getting a master’s degree in professional communication may be the right fit. According to balance careers, an average annual salary for a public relations specialist is $60,000.
Social Media Manager
Businesses are increasingly utilizing social media in a way that promotes and brands their company, their products, and their services. A social media manager establishes a vision, creates professional written and graphic design content, and cultivates an open dialogue with customers and followers via Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and more. Creating paid advertisements, increasing the number of leads, and engaging with prospective clients will play a vital role in the success of your organization. As the importance of social media marketing increases, the value of a focused and skilled social media manager rises as well. On average, social media managers are paid $49,481 annually.
Sales Representative
From selling pharmaceuticals to home security systems, graduates of this program will have a well-developed understanding of forecasting a prospective customer’s needs. Honing verbal presentation abilities equips graduates with the expertise needed to create a lucrative career. An average salary for a sales representative ranges from $58,510 (wholesale) to $79,690 (scientific and technical products).
Human Resource Manager
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, human resources managers plan, direct, and coordinate the administrative functions of an organization. Beginning with the initial employee search, through the hiring and training, including the firing and laying off of employees, human resources managers are a part of the entire process. Human resource managers have a large influence on the development and implementation of the organization's strategic plan as well. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the median wage of HR managers to be $116,720 annually.
Master's Degree in Professional Communication
Students in the Master of Arts in Professional Communication program have a wide array of career paths available to them and will be prepared to succeed in a variety of fields. If you are interested in learning more about Southern Utah University’s Master of Professional Communication program, reach out to one of our expert Admissions Officers at (435) 865-8665 or email online@suu.edu.
Produced by SUU Graduate Studies
SUU's Graduate School draws from a prestigious heritage and allows students to pursue a quality education. The master's degree programs offer students the chance to further their professional and educational careers on campus or online.
Tags: College of Humanities and Social Sciences Communication Graduate Programs
