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Career Opportunities for Majors in Communication

Introduction

The Department of Communication emphasizes the study of the nature, diversity, and impact of communication on the evolution of the individual, group and institutions within society. Attention is given to theoretical perspectives on the nature of communication as a process involving messages, meanings and media; investigation of the variety of ways in which communication is practiced in everyday life; and evaluation and analysis of the outcome that differing communicative choices entail for individuals and institutions.

The undergraduate major program provides a broad, theory-based education and allows for concentration in a specific area, such as Public Relations, Health Communication, Interpersonal/Intercultural Communication, Mediated Communication, Organizational Communication, and Telecommunication Processes and Policies. Coursework in the Department is also useful for students whose primary interests are in such fields as Political Science, Computer Science, Management, Psychology, English, Journalism, or Sociology. For more departmental information go to http://www.comminfo.rutgers.edu/.

Communication graduates find opportunities in a wide variety of careers in business, education, government and the non-profit sectors. Skills in verbal and written communication are one of the most sought after characteristics employers look for when hiring. Radio and TV, advertising and public relations, publishing, sales, and financial services are but a few of the many areas in which these graduates find employment. Any work that involves communicating as its focal point is a potential career field. The communications industry is a competitive one, however, and experience is a must.

While most graduates work in a related occupation, others choose different directions. Experience allows many to progress without further education. However, an advanced degree can offer an edge, particularly with larger corporations. Many careers do not require a specific major but rather a wide range of demonstrated skills and accomplishments. Regardless of your career choices, increase your marketability to employers through internships, responsible work experience, good grades and involvement in college activities.

A Sample of Related Occupations

Actor	Film Producer	Press Secretary
Advertising Copywriter	Film Tape Librarian	Producer
Announcer	Floor Mgr.	Product Promotion Writer
Assoc. Publisher	Foreign Relations Officer	Production Editor
Audience Analyst	Fundraiser	Public Administrator
Book Designer	Human Resources Specialist	Public Affairs Dir.
Broadcast Station Mgr.	Human Rights Officer	Public Information Officer
Campaign Dir.	Labor Relations Specialist	Public Opinion Researcher
Communication Trainer	Lobbyist	Public Relations Mgr.
Community Relations Dir.	Mgr., Investor Relations	Publications Advisor
Community Relations Liaison	Market Analyst	Publicity Mgr.
Consumer Advocate	Marketing Specialist	Reporter
Corporate Public Affairs Specialist	Media Analyst	Research & Editorial Specialist
Counselor	Media Buyer	Sales Representative
Creative Dir.	Media Planner	Speech Instructor
Customer Relations Representative	Media Relations Mgr.	Staff Consultant
Dir. of Corporate Communication	Mediator	Technical Dir.
Disc Jockey	News Anchor	Television Specialist
Editorial Dir.	News Dir.	Transmitter Engineer
Film Dir.	News Supervisor	Writer

Types of Employers

Private & Non-profit Organizations
Advertising Agencies	HMOs	Pharmaceutical Companies
Book Publishers	Hospitals	Professional Associations
Community Organizations	Investment Firms	Public Relations Firms
Educational Organizations	Labor Unions	Radio Stations
Entertainment Firms	Libraries/Museums	Retail Stores
Film Companies	Magazines	Telecommunications Firms
Financial Institutions	Management/Consulting Firms	Television Stations
Health Organizations	Newspapers

Government Agencies
Cultural Affairs	Nat'l. Endowment for the Humanities	U.S. Information Agency
Dept. of Labor	NITA	Voice of America
Library of Congress	Public Health Agencies
Nat'l. Archives	Small Business Administration

Jobs Obtained by Rutgers Graduates

First Jobs of Recent Graduates
Account Executive, Beckerman Public Relations	Mgr., Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Applicant Relations Specialist, Assoc. of Am. Medical Colleges	Marketing Dept. Assistant, Tyco Telecommunications
Assistant Account Executive, Landmark Communications Assistant Buyer, Anthropologie	Media Relations Coordinator, Medialink
Assistant Manager, The Underground Management	Nat'l. Sales Asst., Katz Media Group
Assistant Manager, The Underground Management	Program Coordinator, PharmaWrite
Campus Recruiter, TAC	Promotions Assistant, Greater Media
Consulting Analyst, Accenture	Recruiter, Catholic Charities
Corporate Marketing Administrator, C.R. Bard, Inc.	Sales Analyst, Exact Advertising
Donor Relations Development, Rutgers Foundation	Teacher, Teach for America
E-Commerce Coordinator, L’Oreal	Territory Sales Manager, Philip Morris USA
Field Marketing Coordinator, Black & Decker Corp.	Underwriter, Aetna

Jobs of Experienced Alumni
Account Supervisor, Ketchum Public Relations	Human Resources Specialist, Best Food Baking Groups
Assistant Vice President, Merrill Lynch	Investigator, Dept. of Insurance Fraud Division
Assoc. Dir., ABC News	Mgr., Kennedy Group
Communication Consultant, Andreoni & Associates	Marketing Communications Mgr., AT&T Int'l.
Consultant, Heidrick & Struggles	President, Live Your Life: Staff Dev. & Training
Copy Editor, Asbury Park Press	Probation Officer, Essex County Probation Dept.
Corp. Communications Specialist, Johnson & Johnson/Ortho McNeil	Project Coordinator, MTV Networks
Corporate Trainer, Midlantic Bank	Recruitment Mgr., Aramark
Dir. of Audience Services/Interns, The Maury Povich Show	Regional Development Mgr., American Red Cross
Dir. of Community Programs, Muscular Dystrophy Association	Scouting Assistant, New Jersey Devils
Dir. of Industry Alliances & Comm. Relations, Cahners Travel Group	Sports Media Relations Assoc., Nat'l. Basketball Association
Human Resources Dir., Advantage Human Resourcing	Vice President & Comm. Mgr., Chasemellon Shareholder Services
Human Resources Mgr., Casio, Inc.	Work/Life Consultant, Chubb Group of Insurance Companies

Graduate Schools Attended

American University, JD, Int'l. Family Law	Rutgers University, PhD, Communication
Boston University, PhD, Public Relations	Shippensburg University, MA, Communication
Rutgers University, MA, Public Administration	Villanova University, M.Ed, School Counseling

Additionally, you may:

Explore the career paths of RU Alumni Career Network mentors.
Go to the Rutgers Online Career Planning Site to explore your interests, skills and values. Use the program for either: High School Students | College Students.
Explore Rutgers University academic department information related to this major.
See the Occupational Outlook Handbook for additional career information.
Pick up your "Career Opportunities" handouts at any New Brunswick Career Services office.


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