Top five ways to earn money as a communications major

Are you a great communicator, or are you someone who has a passion for using written and spoken words to get your point across? Does social media fascinate you? If so, a career in communications may be the perfect fit for your interests. What you may not know is that there are many high-paying jobs in this field. With the right passion and training, you could pursue a financially rewarding career in communications. 

Communication majors have many good-paying job options available to them. The actual pay range varies depending on a variety of factors, including: 

As you look for work after graduation, make the time to consider what you will be doing, where you will be doing it, and how much you could potentially be paid. 

While there is a range of jobs you could take after graduating with a communications degree, some have higher potential pay than others. The following are some of the highest-paid options to consider: 

A  public relations director has strong communication skills and can relay a brand’s message to various target audiences. PR directors may oversee campaigns designed to raise awareness of the company and its responsibilities and roles. They often send out press releases or statements with the goal of helping a company maintain a positive image in the local community, thereby giving customers or clients a greater desire to work with the company. These managers may also oversee the rest of the communications for the brand, such as marketing and product promotion. Because every company needs a good reputation with its target audience, this field has a strong job growth potential, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Marketing managers oversee the entire marketing operation for a brand, ensuring that all marketing messages are aligned with the business’s overall branding goals. They are responsible for ensuring marketing campaigns are effective while also guiding the other employees in the marketing department. Marketing managers may be responsible for creating marketing strategies for products and reviewing what is and is not working for their brands via market research. This is another field with higher-than-average job growth potential. 

A technical writer communicates by writing guides and manuals for complicated, often tech-focused, subjects. They may also work with teams to find the clearest ways to provide information on these complex topics in a way that the target audience can best understand. Job growth in this field is steady. If you enjoy tech and are a strong communicator, this career could merge both skills into a high-paying career. 

Human resource specialists work within organizations to ensure that employees have their needs met. They often serve as the communication point between management and employees while also providing information about employee benefits. HR specialists handle accusations of discrimination, harassment and unfair or unsafe work practices. Steady job growth is expected in this field. 

Soft skills are those skills you can’t learn in a classroom but that are invaluable in your job. A communications professional benefits from being organized and understanding human behavior. Because high-paying jobs you can get with a communications degree are often in management, strong leadership skills are helpful. Problem-solving abilities and being proactive are also helpful in this career path. 

As you launch your communications career, a strong professional network is helpful. Your professional network will assist you in staying on top of changes in the industry, and it may be a source to tap into when you want information about new job opportunities. You can build a professional network by engaging with the students and professors in your degree program and then connecting with them on LinkedIn and other social media sites. 

In the communications field, learning never stops. You’ll need to stay on top of social media trends, marketing trends and even writing trends. You will constantly need to develop new ways to get your message across to the people your company serves. For some communications majors, this is part of the appeal of the industry - you’re always going to have the opportunity to grow and develop. Take advantage of continuing education opportunities long after you are done with your formal degree program. Even though this field doesn't require licensure, continuing education will help you remain competitive in the field. 

Getting started in the field of communications requires the right bachelor’s degree program. Central Michigan University's communications degree is a great way to launch your career. This program focuses on all types of communication, from interpersonal and family communication to writing and communication within organizations. It also touches on public speaking and debate, both of which offer important skills to the professional communicator. With an award-winning faculty and a solid curriculum, this program will get you started with the skills you need for a long and financially rewarding career. 

Are you ready to learn more? Contact us today to learn about our communications programs and how they could be the final piece in your future career.