Communications
What to expect
Getting a degree in communications
What to expect
Communications can seem glamorous. Do you see yourself in the press throng door-stopping the PM, or presenting that national current affairs show? Well, while some make it there, many communications roles are behind the scenes or not in the news media at all.
Careers in communications include:
- Broadcasting and journalism
- Publishing and editing
- Creative and professional writing
- Advertising and public relations
- Digital media.
Getting a degree in communications
Visit the University Ratings section for communications course ratings.
Courses and specialisations
|
Advertising |
Announcing |
Audio production |
Broadcasting |
Cinema |
|
Creative writing |
Editing |
eJournalism |
Film |
Indigenous broadcasting |
|
Journalism |
Mass communications |
Media arts |
Media studies |
Organisational communications |
|
Photo-journalism |
Print and broadcast journalism |
Professional communications |
Professional writing |
Public relations |
|
Publishing |
Radio |
Scriptwriting |
Sports media |
Technical writing |
|
Television |
Television presentation |
Theatre writing |
Video writing |
Which course is for you?
As a (very) rough guide, communications courses with general titles like arts, communications and media are more likely to offer a broad liberal education in areas like literature and political science combined with communications. If you’re not yet sure what you’re doing, these may be suitable. On the other hand, communications courses with a specific title — like professional writing, advertising, e-journalism — will offer more practical preparation for one role or another.
If you really have your heart set on working in communications, having one degree title or another might be less important than other factors in distinguishing yourself in a competitive industry. Gaining work experience and getting involved in the industry are very important. Of course, some institutions and faculties might have (or claim to have) better connections in the industry than others. But often, the main thing is to ensure that the facilities and the learning opportunities are there. The rest will be up to you.
Getting in
Some of the most popular communications courses have high cut-off scores or require a folio, but there is a big range, from the very tough to the very easy. There may be no formal prerequisites for some courses, but you can count on needing to be good at English and media, and subjects in theatre or cinema might also be relevant if not required.
Where to study
There are now over 75 campuses around the country offering courses in this field. In other words, you can study a degree in communications just about anywhere. Some courses are also available by distance.
Careers for communications degree graduates
It is sometimes tough to get jobs in communications. Since the range of roles on offer varies so much, the range of employers does as well.
Communications roles are available in advertising firms, public relations departments in government and community organisations, publishers, screen production companies, the theatre, corporate communications departments or based in their own homes if they choose the freelance route.
While the overall satisfaction of these graduates is only average, students are generally quite satisfied with the quality of the teaching. Jobs are very scarce, with some 42 per cent of the graduates from 2008 still looking for work after several months, and starting salaries are low, at around $41,788. Some 19 per cent of these graduates undertook further study. Those who do get jobs are more likely to find themselves working in private industry than the public sector. Since the range of roles on offer varies so much, the range of industries and organisations that attract communications professionals do as well. They are in the news media (newspapers, radio, online, television), advertising firms, public relations departments in government and community organisations, publishing companies, screen production companies, in the theatre, in corporate communications
departments or based in their own homes if they choose the freelance route.
For more information
For more information about careers in communications, check out the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance website, www.alliance.org.au .
Please rate this article:
(hover over the stars then click to rate)
