Careers in Journalism & Mass Communication

The career options available to someone with skills in journalism and mass communication are many and varied. The people who do the hiring tell us the characteristics they most often look for when reviewing job applicants are good writing skill, experience, and a college degree.

The following list of career opportunities available to college graduates with degrees in journalism and mass communication was complied by the UT placement office.

What can I do with a degree in communication?

Career Area	Employer	Undergraduate Strategy to Increase Marketability
Advertising Creative Media Research Account Services Administration Traffic Control and Print Production Marketing	Advertising agencies Corporate ad department Media Specialty advertising firms	Work at campus newspapers, TV or radio station. Obtain student-run business experience. Find internship at market research firm. Demonstrate talent, persistence, assertiveness, competitive spirit, enthusiasm. Compile portfolio of writing, graphics, and ideas for creative department. Get computer knowledge/experience for media. Need statistics, data interpretation, writing experience for research. Obtain telemarketing experience.
Book Publishing Editorial Sales/Marketing/Promotion/Advertising Publicity Subsidiary Rights Textbooks Electronic Publishing	Publishers: Tradebooks Paperbacks Educational materials Religious University presses Technical, scientific, and medical publications Mail-order Book clubs	Attend summer publishing institute to sharpen skills and contacts. Become familiar with word processing. Gain knowledge of printing and production. Develop typing ability. Work with college or regional literary magazine staff, campus publications. Work as sales clerk or book buyer in campus or local bookstore. Sponsor student-initiated publication projects. Find internships in area of interest. Take technical writing for technical, scientific, and medical publications.
Newspaper Publishing Reporting Editing Advertising Space Sales Circulation Art and Design Marketing/Promotion News Graphics and Photography Production	Large circulation newspapers Local newspapers Wire services Trade newspapers	Get summer job/internship with newspapers. Work with college newspaper/yearbook/alumni publication. Be active in professional journalism organizations. Demonstrate curiosity, high energy level, ability to produce under pressure and to withstand criticism, excellent grammar and writing skills.
Magazine Publishing Editorial Advertising Sales Promotion and Public Relations Circulation Design, Art, and Production	Major Publishers: Consumer, specialized, or news magazines Technical and industrial publications Professional publications Merchandising and trade publications Labor unions Educational journals In-house publications Professional associations Religious organizations	Secure internships. Work on campus publications. Find part-time or summer job in newspaper, magazine. or print shop. Get sales experience. Join a professional journalism organization. Demonstrate creative spirit, writing skills, verbal skills, proofreading ability.
Television Programming-Production News Advertising/Sales Promotion Administration	Major networks Commercial broadcast stations Public television stations Cable television Private television production Business or government	Secure internships. Gain experience in campus or local stations or independent production companies. Join campus newspaper or publications staff. Participate in drama club, directing/acting/technical crew. Become a debate club participant. Develop good writing, reporting, editing skills. Gain knowledge of community and its needs. Demonstrate curiosity, confidence, assertiveness, creativity, initiative, outgoing personality, tact and diplomacy.
Radio News Sales Programming Production Promotion Administration	National networks National Public Radio State or regional networks Major, medium and small market stations Independent syndications	Gain campus or local radio experience. Secure internships. Announce sports events. Host music programming for parties and social events. Coordinate, program, and promote musical events and programs. Work on college newspaper. Demonstrate imagination, writing and verbal skills, sense of humor, and showmanship.
Public Relations Research Program Work Writing and Editing Special Events Media Placement Public Speaking Fund Raising Production Management/Administration	Public relations firms Advertising agency related PR firms Corporate public relations Trade associations Government agencies Colleges and universities Nonprofit organizations Labor unions Hospitals	Secure internships. Get practical experience. Develop strong research and writing skills. Perfect public speaking ability. Demonstrate enthusiasm, interpersonal skills, persuasion skills, team work, integrity, good judgment, intelligence. Develop creativity, initiative.
Government Publishing Public Relations Broadcasting	Federal agencies including: Departments of Labor, Commerce, Agriculture, Defense, Treasury and Interior; U.S. Information Agency; Voice of America; Federal Trade Commission; National Archives and Records Administration; Small Business Administration.	Become familiar with government hiring practices. Gain experience with campus newspaper, television, or radio. Find internships or practical experience. Develop strong research, writing and speaking skills. Demonstrate enthusiasm, interpersonal skills, persuasion, team work, integrity, good judgment, intelligence. Develop creativity, initiative.
Technical Writing Writing and Editing Technical Promotion News Releases Technical Advertising Technical Firms and Videotapes	Hardware manufacturers Software companies Industry Technical publications: journals/magazines Research Colleges and universities Consulting Freelancing Government	Gain campus supervisory experience with tutoring and writing user instructions. Work on college newspaper/campus publications. Join professional journalism/communications organizations. Develop word processing, typing skills. Perfect clear and concise writing abilities. Demonstrate patience, flexibility, strong interpersonal skills.

Last updated: 19 March 2005
Comments to: Communication Department