Department of Speech Communication

What can you do with a Speech Communication degree?

The Speech Communication discipline spans a wide range of occupational categories and so it is difficult to place a graduate into a category. The purpose of this page is to provide guidance on typical employment areas and employers for Speech Communication majors and strategies on how to adequately prepare oneself for a career.

Below are handouts that offer information on areas of employment and typical employers of Speech Communication majors. They also offer strategies to maximize your career opportunities.

Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view the Areas of Employment, Employers and Strategies Information. You can download this free from the Adobe Web site.

• Speech Communication degree - employment areas, typical employers, strategies
• Public Relations - employment areas, typical employers, strategies
• What can I do with a Speech Communication degree? - NCA poster

Links to Useful Employment Sources

Below is a list of websites that provide information about careers in Communication. Keep in mind that the information sheet and websites are representative of typical career paths associated with Communication majors and not a comprehensive list. You may want to explore information and websites from other sources to help you learn about a wide range of career opportunities.

• Communication Jobs in Federal Government
• Work in PR
• Communications Roundtable
• Careers in Journalism from the American Society of Newspaper Editors
• Careers in Advertising and PR
• Public Relations Society of America
• Film and Television Production Directory / Employment Opportunities
• TV Jobs Broadcast Employment Services
• National Association of Broadcasters
• Announcers from the Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Advertising, Marketing, Promotions, Public Relations, and Sales Managers from the Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Public Relations Specialists from the Occupational Outlook Handbook
• News Analysts, Reporters, and Correspondents from the Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators and Editors from the Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Broadcasting from the Occupational Outlook Handbook
• All About PR with Steven R. Van Hook
• PR Week
• Newpapers Careers
• Magazine Publishers of America
• TV Jobs from TV Rundown
• SIUE Career Development Center

Have you considered graduate school? Check our graduate program.

Disclaimer: Please note that the websites listed above are not maintained by the Department of Speech Communication but are provided as a convenience to students.Other Resources

Preparing Answers

(adopted from http://www.eiu.edu/~speech/old/dowithug.htm)

Many employers have problems trying to place communication program graduates into a traditional occupational category. Candidates often need to assist the employer in coming to understand what a communication degree can offer for their organization. This section provides some hints on how to prepare and to talk with prospective employers.

The underlying assumption for this section is that all employers are really looking for five basic items from any candidate. Those items are:

• Relational skills (interpersonal, group/team, conflict management)
• Critical thinking skills
• Writing skills
• Computer skills
• Degree and/or specific skill area (demonstrates ability to master content areas and right of passage)

As a Speech Communication major, you have a competitive advantage. You have more experience with relational and critical thinking skills than others. If you managed your degree program positively, you would have developed the computer and writing skills you need. Finally, if you have constructed a coherent major program and perhaps have a minor program, you have a content area which demonstrates your ability to learn. Ability to learn is important because what you know will change, who you are does not. For new college graduates it is a little more basic, an employer will hire for what you are and train you in what you need to know.

So, what do you need to do to prepare for your job search efforts? Consider the following items as additional things to consider beyond the normal advice.

• you need to be able to explain how your skills and experiences fit the five categories described above.
• You need to be able to explain what a communication degree is in terms that a recruiter will understand.
• You will need to be able to differentiate your degree from other degrees and describe its competitive advantage.
• You need to be able to explain what you can do for an organization.