What Can You Do With a Communications Degree?

Here we look at a selection of more typical jobs in communications; from HR departments to the world of advertising - these are the typical roles where your communication skills are most in need.

Communications careers in business

With communications playing such a key role in any business or organisation, a communications degree is a great way to enter the business world.

Regardless of product or industry, entry-level communications roles will require you to demonstrate strong written, oral communication and presentation skills, along with knowledge of how a business functions across departments.

There is also the potential for career development into executive, managerial and training roles after gaining some experience.

Communications careers in human resources

A key department of any large business, human resources is vital for developing and maintaining worker ethics, performance and motivation.

As a communications graduate, you may be involved in recruiting new staff, raising awareness about training or professional development programs, or ensuring company guidelines and regulations are clearly communicated.

Communications careers in this area will benefit from an aptitude for nurturing relationships and communicating well with many different types of people.

Communications careers in marketing, public relations and advertising 

Marketing, public relations and advertising are three more great fields you can enter with a communications degree, delivering effective written and oral communication to consumers, colleagues or clients.

This could be in the form of press releases, advertising scripts, company presentations and print campaigns, as well as attendance at media events and the ongoing development of professional relationships with clients and the media.

Communications careers in media

Media jobs with a communications degree are extensive - as you’d expect, since the main aims of the media sector are to communicate information and provide entertainment.  

Whether you’re interested in becoming involved with TV and film production, magazine and newspaper journalism, or online and digital channels, media careers all require graduates with excellent communication skills, and the ability to curate and disseminate information in engaging and relevant ways.

Media is, however, a very competitive industry, and it’s unlikely (though not impossible) that you will be hired by a big media corporation such as the BBC or the Huffington Post straight after graduation.

Relevant work experience is essential, so those interested in entering the media world should consider undertaking internships or getting involved in student media productions while still studying, to increase their chances of getting a related role upon graduation.

Those interested in journalism may also consider building a portfolio of their own journalistic work and/or gaining a relevant postgraduate degree.