Entry-Level Jobs for Communications Majors & Grads
Careers with a communications degree can be initially hard to imagine, but they’re not hard to come by because effective communication is an essential component for a variety of jobs. Finding those careers can take some searching since communication degree jobs aren’t always readily apparent. But from marketing to management, from the insurance industry to the healthcare industry, there’s always a place where people with strong communication skills can thrive.
What Jobs Can You Get with a Communications Degree?
Most of the time, engineering students intend to become engineers. Communication students will find their degree isn’t quite as linear. As such, it’s not at all uncommon for graduates to not have a career path in mind. Not having chosen a specific career path doesn’t necessarily mean your career aspirations are falling behind schedule. However, the sooner you’re able to choose a path, the sooner you can start taking steps to succeed on that path.
While jobs in the marketing, advertising, or journalism sphere are usually the first paths that spring to mind, a communications degree can also help you cast a much broader net in your job search, giving you applicable skills that can be leveraged in any number of paths. Here are some entry level communications jobs and career opportunities that communications majors can consider.
Insurance Sales
Sales is about making connections with other people, anticipating their needs, and mastering the subtleties of communication. That’s why communication majors often make excellent salespeople. Experience with writing, speaking, or debating can be especially useful for developing a successful career in sales.
Part of the reason why insurance sales positions are among the best careers for communication majors is because of their excellent job security, as well as the field’s above average rate of growth. Starting out, an entry-level insurance sales agent earns an average salary of $31,867, according to Payscale. Depending on the position, that may include the opportunity for commissions, bonuses, and full benefits.
Underwriting
An underwriter is a risk analyst who uses software to determine if someone should be insured, and how much it should cost. While these positions involve regularly using mathematics and computers, degrees in those areas are not required. Though mathematical ability remains important for your success.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, underwriters earn a median salary of $69,380 annually, making this one of the better paid communication degree jobs on this list. With an ability to coordinate timelines and goals, set up meetings, and ensure a smooth workflow, communication skills are also ideal for many similar management positions. With experience and professional certification, even more lucrative positions become available to you.
Marketing Coordinator
A marketing coordinator helps develop marketing campaigns, and then tracks the success of those campaigns to fine-tune future efforts. Because excellent written and verbal communication is a cornerstone of the marketing profession, these positions are a natural place for a communications major. And no matter what kind of workplaces you’d like to inhabit, you’ll find plenty of options as a marketing coordinator.
Some entry-level marketing jobs will place new employees in a fast paced, sink-or-swim environment. Others tend to be more stable and paced, giving new hires the chance to learn and develop professionally. For instance, the insurance industry has a persistent supply of entry level jobs for communications majors who are looking for a paced and measured environment.
As per Payscale, marketing coordinators have an average salary of $43,374 with the opportunity to move into senior management positions. Because of the ubiquitous nature of marketing across all industries, working in these kinds of positions also ensures you can transition into countless industries in the future.
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