Effective communication is an important key to success, be it personal or business. From simple telephone calls to large advertisement billboards, all are different mediums through which information is transferred. In recent years, technology and globalization have changed the trends of communication in all industries. Large corporations use various channels of communication to coordinate activities within its hierarchy, connect with workers, and also transfer or display information to external stakeholders.
Communication is used in all types of organizations. Developing effective marketing plans and interpersonal relationships among workers are a few of the examples of good communication. Individuals may pursue communications as an academic field, and enter the industry where the demand for skilled communications majors is high. Communications is offered by many schools at associate, bachelor, and master's degree levels. These college programs are geared towards prepping students for a career in business communications.
Bachelor in Communications
A bachelor's degree in communications is designed to help students understand the role of communications in business settings and various industries. Students will learn about the different modes of communication and their level of effectiveness. The program will highlight the changes in communication channels that have taken place over the years, and how technology plays a key role in this field. Throughout the coursework, students will learn how to develop and design communication strategies that are aligned with organizational objectives.
The curriculum will cover a wide range of subjects that will help build a solid foundation of knowledge. Each subject will cover a certain aspect of communications studies. Some of the most important subjects covered are:
-
Business communication
-
Emerging media communication
-
Technical communication
-
Communication theory and web design
-
Advanced research methods
-
Organizational structure and change
-
Corporate communications
-
Global culture and diversity
These are just a few of the curriculum components. The exact curriculum will depend upon which school you attend. Students will learn how to select and use different mediums for communication through research-based projects and assignments. Apart from theory-based understanding, a bachelor in communications degree will also emphasize strong communication skill development, critical thinking skills, analysis skills, and problem-solving skills. Each of the program components carry a number of credit hours that will be earned by completing the course. The credit hour requirement is likely to vary from school to school. Afer successfully earning the minimum credit hours required, students will be awarded their degree.
Career Prospects
There are many interesting and challenging career opportunities that one could look forward to with a degree in communications. In most cases, bachelor's degrees lead to entry-level jobs. You could seek work in diverse areas such as media, film production, public relations, market research, advertisement and promotions, event management, government services, and multinational corporations. Advertisement managers made a median annual salary of $115,750 in 2012 according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Your salary will depend upon a number of factors like education, experience, location, and employer. The need for stronger and more effective communication is growing in every industry which ultimately reflects the demand for skilled experts in this field.