Why Job Opportunities for Media & Communications Grads Are Growing

Why Job Opportunities for Media & Communications Grads Are Growing

Why Job Opportunities for Media & Communications Grads Are Growing banner

The professional world has taken notice of our mediated lives. Now more than ever, the media industries have assumed a central role in the global economy. “Synergy” has become a buzzword for all businesses that utilize film, television, and music to market and sell their products across a vast array of platforms, from billboards to blogs. Just as the business world has become more connected to these industries, the very idea of media has transformed the relationships between businesses and their customers. The recent rise in new media jobs — social media specialist, social media strategist, etc. — is a telling example of the centrality of media in the business world. As a result of this significance, an in-depth knowledge of media will be essential for anyone entering the workforce in the years ahead.

In fact, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that, while competition for jobs will remain keen, media and communication positions are expected to grow much faster than the average for all other occupations over the next few years. Specifically, the Bureau estimates job growth in media and communications to be at 4 % between 2014 and 2024, resulting in more than 27,000 new jobs. The median annual wage for media and communication occupations was $53,530 in 2015, significantly higher than the median annual wage of $36,200 for all occupations. Editors earn an average of $56,010; film editors and camera operators earn an average of $55,740; and writers and authors earn an average of $60,250. Furthermore, it should be noted that, while competition for such jobs can be high, the Bureau’s report suggests that graduates with degrees in a communication-related field will have a distinct advantage over those without such degrees.

The Bureau also reports job growth in the area of media writing and editing jobs across all industries. As the need increases for companies to utilize multimedia and web-based technologies to reach a more technology-friendly consumer base, companies in a wide array of industries — including the nonprofit sector — are hiring media-savvy writers and editors to produce content for online publications, social media pages, text-messaging services, etc. In addition, the Bureau reports that employment of technical writers is expected to grow faster than average as a result of the rapid growth in media technology and web-based support networks. Specifically, the Bureau reports a median annual wage of $70,240 for technical writers in 2015.

All of this spells good news for prospective Media & Communication Studies majors.

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