Why Get a Degree in Communications?

By Jamie, Mehreen, Max, and Edward

What Is A Communication Degree According to olivetcollege.edu “ The field of

communications focuses on how people use

messages to generate meaning within: Various contexts

Cultures

Channels

Media

Also promotes the effective and ethical practice of

human communication”.

Marketable Skills From Communication

Synthesizing

Information

Create Persuasive &

Creative Communication

Oral & Written

Communication

Compare & Contrast

Evidence

Evaluate Information &

Sources

Gather Information &

Data

Presentation Skills

Critical Thinking Skills

Communication Skills Continued Measure Media

Effects

Attention to Details

Understand

Institutional & Cultural

Values

Effective Speaking

Explaining Processes,

Plans & Concepts

Ability to Write Clearly

Present Specific

Viewpoints

Communication skills

Masters the skill of presenting oneself to a small

audience. Social Gatherings

Friends and Family

Formal Parties

Boss and colleagues

Clients and prospective employers

Job Characteristics

According to the Department of Labor, the most important

qualities for high job performance are:

Listening

Speaking

Creative Thinking

Decision Making

Reasoning

Honesty

*All of these skills can be perfected as a Communication Studies

scholar

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According to elearners.com

Base Pay for PR Specialist is

$44,472

College Instructor of

Communications

$42,289

Advertising account executive

$65,817

Director of Communications

$127,802

Communication Facts

Estimated that 75%

of a persons

day is spent

communicating in

some way

As a college student

69 % of our time is

spent speaking and

listening.

17% is spent on

reading

14% is spent on

writing

Therefore a

communications degree

could enhance all of your

everyday skills

The Art of Persuasion

Persuasion: Speakers attempt to persuade

audiences to accept their superior position.

Learning the art of communication can be used

to influence large audiences, friends/family.

Persuasion in Interpersonal Communication

Communication theory has proven the validity of

persuasion learned through communication

courses (Foster & Foster, 2003)

Small Group Experience

Working with group members outside of class

individuals gain experience on:

› How to work in service or task groups, board meetings

according to career path.

› Gives an opportunity for shy people to speak out and

cooperate with others.

› Learn semi-formal group dynamics firsthand!

› Personality quizzes, group evaluation etc – what kind of group

member are you?

Typical Work Activities

Editing

Creating Artwork

Teaching

Explaining

Helping

Selecting & Training

Researching

Managing

Scheduling

Informing/Organizing

Planning

http://www.salisbury.edu/careerservices/Students/ChoosingMajorsPage/CommunicationArt.html#WorkActivities

Advanced or highly developed communication skills are essential to many tasks such as:

Public Relations- Definition

1. The actions of a corporation, store, government,

individual, etc., in promoting goodwill between

itself and the public, the community, employees,

customers, etc.

2. The art, technique, or profession of promoting

such goodwill.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/public+relations

Areas of Public Relations

Financial public relations - providing

information mainly to business reporters.

Product public relations - gaining publicity for a

particular product or service (rather than using

advertising).

Crisis public relations - responding to negative

accusations or information.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_relations

Federal Jobs There are a number of Communications

Positions in the Federal Field available in the Metropolitan Area.

Full-time and Permanent (FTP) Positions Include:

› Telecommunications -6,023

› Public Affairs Specialist -4,749

› Visual Information -1,704

› Writing and Editing -1,299

› Audio Visual Production -1,111

These positions can pay up to $90,698 per year.http://www.makingthedifference.org/federalcareers/communications.shtml

Human Communication Studies- Directions

Business

Advertising

Government

Communication Science

Salisbury University, 2008, Possible Job Titles, para.1-6

Human Communication Human Communication

is the field dedicated to

understand how people

communicate: With themselves

Another person

Within groups

Within organizations

Across Cultures

http://images.clipartof.com/small/25053-Clipart-Illustration-Of-Two-Professional-Businessmen-Shaking-Hands-On-Top-Of-A-Green-Globe-Other-Business-People-Circling-The-Planet.jpg

Areas of Media Studies and Production

Audiovisual &

Multimedia

Film & Photography

Magazines

Radio & Audio

Television & Video

Newspaper & News

Service Salisbury University, 2008, Possible Job Titles, para.2-14Blogspot.com, 2009, Welcome to media studies, para. 1 (picture)

Media Studies

Media Studies is

concerned with the

impact of media on

contemporary

society

Using research,

teaching, public

events, and

outreachhttp://www.bizbash.com/content/editorial/StoryPhoto/big/e16754image8.jpg

Works Cited