What Can I do With a Degree in Communication?

• Places of Employment
  • List of Jobs previously posted in CareerConnect for communication majors (not currently open)
  • Jobs reported by communication majors
  • Additional Ideas
• Suggested Reading for Communication Majors
• Vocational Biographies
• Professional Associations
• Internet Sites with Career-Related Information for Communication Majors
• Internet Sites with Job Search Information for Communication Majors

Places of Employment

Communication majors may find employment in a variety of areas depending on their skills and experience. Some communication graduates choose to work in communications-related fields including journalism, technical writing, publishing, public relations, advertising, and film as well as non-communications-related careers. Career-related internships or part-time jobs may be a prerequisite to finding professional-level employment after graduation in these and other fields.

The following list of employers and job titles was derived from Advising and Career Services' jobs database where the employer specifically requested communication majors. This list does not reflect all potential places of employment or kinds of jobs for communication majors. This list does not reflect current openings.

• American Heart Association — Coordinator
• American Red Cross — Communications Director, Online Communications Specialist
• APCON, Inc. — Public Relations Manager
• Asian Pacific American Consortium on Substance Abuse (APACSA) — Community Coordinator
• Basic Rights Oregon — Communications Coordinator
• Battle Ground School District — Director of Communications
• Benton County — Public Information Officer
• Better Business Bureau (BBB) — Marketing Assistant
• Bravo! Publications — Production Assistant
• Business Education Compact (BEC) — Technical Writer
• C-Tech Industries — Marketing Communications Manager
• Camp Fire USA, Portland Metro Council — Youth Advocate
• Cascadia Community College — Program Assistant
• CBS Radio — Weekend Announcer, Air Talent, Morning Show Producer, Marketing/Promotions Assistant
• CH2M Hill — Junior Editor
• Cherokee Laser — Account Manager
• Christie School, The — New Transitional Youth Program
• City of Beaverton — Program Coordinator-Mediation Services, Program Manager
• City of Hillsboro — Public Affairs Manager, Parks & Recreation Community Resources Manager
• City of Portland — Community Service Aide II
• City of Salem — Neighborhood Services Specialist - Community Services Counselor
• City of Vancouver — Marketing Specialist, Public Information Officer, Community Relations Specialist, Program and Events Coordinator
• Clackamas Community College — Student Services Coordinator, Customized Training Project Coordinator
• Clear Channel Communications — Promotions Director, Z100 Morning Show Host, News Reporter
• Con-Way, Inc. — Project Coordinator
• Coldwell Banker, Barbara Sue Seal Properties — Marketing Coordinator
• Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission — Public Information Specialist
• Columbia Sportswear Company — Promotions Manager, Public Relations Manager
• Comcast Corporation — New Home Marketing Specialist, Communications Manager
• CompView, Inc. — Marketing Coordinator
• Cube Management — Internet Marketing Analyst
• Dr. Martens AirWair USA — Internal Account Coordinator, Retail Marketing Manager
• Educational Service District 105 — Public Information Manager
• EFG Companies — Business Manager/Sales Representative
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car — Sales/Management Trainee
• ESPN — Editor -Web
• Evans Publishing — Newsletter Editor/Reporter
• Fastenal Company — Assistant General Sales Manager
• Food Alliance — Communications and Development Associate
• GlaxoSmithKline — Marketing Consultant
• Grande Ronde Hospital — Community Relations Manager
• Group Mackenzie — Marketing Specialist
• Hearing & Speech Institute — Assistant Director of Development, Assistant Director of Marketing
• Intel Corporation — Planning eBusiness Communications Analyst
• IRCO - Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization — Donor Relations Associate, Workforce Development Specialist
• Internal Revenue Service (IRS) — Internal Revenue Officer
• International Radio & Television Society Foundation, Inc. (IRTS) — Summer Fellowship Program
• J&L Marketing — Promotion Coordinator
• KATU Channel 2 Portland — News Reporter, Microwave/Satellite Operator
• KINK FM 102 — Weekend Announcer, Account Executive
• KOIN-TV — News Producer
• KPTV Fox 12/KPDX UPN 49 — Jr. Promotion Producer
• LaCie Limited — PR Specialist
• Lazerquick — Assistant to the Director of Training and Franchising
• Legislative Administration — Communication Director, Facility Services Manager
• Leupold & Stevens, Inc. — Training and Development Specialist
• Lower Columbia College — Executive Director of Foundation and College Development
• Metro/MERC — Senior Public Relations Coordinator
• Montana State University - Billings — Development and Marketing Coordinator
• Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC) — KMHD Development Coordinator
• Multnomah County — Community Information Specialist, Community Organizer
• Multnomah Education Service District — Development Specialist
• Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) — Regional Public Affairs Coordinator
• Natural Resource Group — Public Relations Strategist
• NW32.com — Marketing Coordinator
• Northwest Food Processors Association — Communications Specialist
• Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory (NWREL) — Director of Development and Communications, Editor/Writer Associate
• Northwestern Mutual Financial Network — Financial Representative
• Oregon Department of Administrative Services — Communication Director (Principal Contributor 3)
• Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) — Public Information Representative 1-Vehicle Inspection Program Coordinator, Public Affairs Specialist 2
• Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) — Media Relations, Associate Director of Government Relations
• Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) — Recruiter, Museum Educator
• Oregon State Bar — Marketing Specialist
• Oregon State University (OSU) — Program Coordinator for Community and Diversity, Marketing Writer
• Oregon Student Association — Communications Director
• Port of Portland — Environmental Outreach Manager, Customer Service Manager
• Portland Art Museum — Public Relations and Marketing Assistant
• Portland Business Alliance — Membership Coordinator
• Portland Community College (PCC) — Grants Writer, Career Placement Specialist - Steps to Success, Employment Specialist - Dislocated Workers Program, Career Specialist, Replication Training Coordinator
• Portland Development Commission (PDC) — Senior Public Participation Coordinator, Communications Project Manager, Community Relations Coordinator, Administrative Assistant to the Director, Public Affairs Manager
• Portland Impact — Community Coordinator III
• Qualis, Inc. — Technical Writer
• Qwest — Public Relations Manager
• Raphael House of Portland — Project Coordinator
• SAIF Corporation — Publications Editor, Communications Coordinator, Corporate Communications Writer
• Salem Area Mass Transit District — Travel Trainer
• SOLV — Program Coordinator, Director of Outreach and Member Services
• St. Mary's Academy — Special Events & Development Associate
• Stand for the Children — Communications & Membership Assistant
• Standard, The — Communications Specialist I
• Statesman Journal — Custom Projects Editor, Sports Reporter
• Toyota Motor Sales — Vehicle Logistics Trainee
• TriMet — Facilities Services Program Coordinator, Community Relations Specialist, Senior Promotions Representative, Event Representative, Organization Development Coordinator, Station Manager
• TriVium Systems, Inc. — Marketing Communications Associate
• University of Oregon (UO) — Deputy Director of Alumni Communications, Assistant Director of Student Membership, Program Manager - Regional Volunteer Programs
• USAgencies Credit Union (USACU) — Business Development/Marketing Coordinator
• US Bureau of Land Management — Public Affairs Specialist
• US District Court - Oregon — Audio-visual, Data & Telecommunications Project Manager
• Vancouver Housing Authority — VISTA Program Development Specialist
• Vital Technical Marketing, Inc. (VTM) — Public Relations Account Manager
• Wah Chang — Marketing Specialist
• Washington State Department of Transportation — Communications Consultant 4
• WebMD - Marketing Communications Specialist
• Westside Economic Alliance (WEA) — Communication Manager

This is a list of jobs communication majors reported having at (or shortly after) graduation. This list was built from survey data published by colleges and universities across the United States. Advising and Career Services provides this list as a tool for generating ideas for further exploration.

• Account Executive for a public relations firm
• Account Executive/Sales Representative for an office products provider
• Accounting Assistant for a print media company
• Accounting Manager for an insurance company
• Administrative and Editorial Assistant for a university
• Administrative Assistant for a state agency
• Administrative Coordinator for a church
• Admissions Advisor for a university
• Ambulatory Patient Representative for a hospital
• Assistant Account Executive for a media company
• Assistant Buyer for clothing retailer
• Assistant Director for a local nonprofit promoting film and video production
• Assistant Language Teacher for a cultural exchange program
• Assistant Manager for a city/regional magazine
• Assistant Manager for a drug store
• Assistant Manager for a fast food restaurant
• Assistant Manager for department store
• Assistant Manager/Recruiter for a department store
• Assistant to Editorial Director for a trade association magazine
• Assistant Volunteer Manager for coalition of charitable organizations through AmeriCorps
• Audio/Visual Specialist for a hospital
• Branch Operations Manager for a bank
• Business Analyst for a management and technology consulting services
• Business Management Associate for a food product manufacturer
• Campus Minister for an interdenominational evangelical Christian organization
• Case Manager for a social services nonprofit
• Claims Representative for an insurance company
• Coach for a gymnastics school
• Communications Associate for an environmental consulting firm
• Communications Coordinator for a nonprofit
• Communications Coordinator for a public relations firms specializing in foundations and nonprofits
• Community Organizer for a nonprofit
• Convention Associate for an association management company
• Counselor for a college-level academic support program
• Customer Service Representative for a bank
• Customer Service Representative for a chain of membership-only retail warehouse clubs
• Deputy Sheriff for a county
• Design Consultant for a tile company
• Dispatcher for a security company
• Distribution Specialist for a multinational automaker
• Elementary Teacher for Teach for America
• Event Coordinator for a night club
• Events Coordinator for a college
• Executive Assistant/Public Education Coordinator for an organization advocating for civil rights
• Executive Team Leader for a retail company
• Executive Trainee for a clothing retailer
• Field Marketing Coordinator for a power tool manufacturer
• Financial Analyst for an insurance company
• Financial Consultant for a life insurance company
• Fitness Instructor for a noncompetitive fitness and play center
• Front Office Manager for a hotel
• Government Affairs Assistant for a real estate trade association
• Graphic Design and Communication Coordinator for an engineering consulting firm
• Human Resource Specialist for a payroll and human resource company
• Intern for public relations firm
• IT Analyst for a cable/internet service provider
• Juvenile Probation Officer for a state agency
• Leadership Development Consultant for an international fraternity for women
• Legal Assistant for a law firm
• Life Guard/Swim Instructor for a university health and recreation center
• Loan Processor for a bank
• Management Trainee for a rental car company
• Manager for a discount department store
• Marketing Coordinator for a performing arts center
• Marketing Coordinator for a statewide pro-business association
• Marketing Coordinator for an art museum
• Marketing Project Specialist for a bank
• Marketing Services Specialist for a life insurance company
• Medical Records Supervisor for a clinic
• Member Communications Coordinator for a nonprofit environmental organization
• Merchandise Assistant for a department store
• Merchandise Coordinator for an electronics retailer
• Office Assistant for an orthopedic surgeon
• Painter for painting service
• Photographer/Artist/Graphic Designer — self-employed
• Physical Trainer for a gym
• Production Assistant for a local news affiliate
• Project Coordinator for a consulting firm
• Project Coordinator for a global media and direct marketing company
• Public Relations and Marketing Specialist for a university
• Public Relations Assistant for a hospital
• Public Relations Associate for a county agency
• Public Relations Manager for a faith-based social welfare organization
• Public Relations Specialist for a convention and visitor’s bureau
• Public Relations Specialist for a professional association
• Recruiter for a network of charities
• Recruiter for an IT staffing agency
• Recruiting Coordinator for an investment group
• Research Assistant for a not-for-profit research institute
• Research Assistant for a university
• Sales and Solutions Executive for a global document management company
• Sales Manager Trainee for a hotel
• Sales Representative for a consumer electronics retailer
• Sales Representative for a pharmaceutical company
• Sales Representative for a vendor of computer and information technology services
• Server for a restaurant
• Software Tester for a video game publishing company
• Special Event Coordinator for a health-related nonprofit
• Strategic Communications Consultant for a private consulting firm
• Teacher in a Montessori school
• Technical Recruiter for a technical staffing firm
• Technical Writer for an electronics company
• Technical Writer for an information technology company
• Telemarketer for a media and entertainment conglomerate
• Training Officer for cruise line
• Video Editor for a school district
• Visual Manager for a fashion retailer
• Visual Merchandising Specialist for a department store
• Volunteer Coordinator for a state political party
• Web Manager/Communications and Marketing for a performing arts center
• Writer for a television station

For additional ideas, review this list of employers who posted jobs for students majoring in Arts and Letters:

• Beaverton School District — Web Developer
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Washington — Development Coordinator
• Buckle, The — Management Development Program
• Cadmus Group, Inc., The — Marketing Coordinator — Entry Level
• Calypte Biomedical Corporation — Business Development Analyst
• Catholic Community Services — Community Support Specialist
• City of Hillsboro — Volunteer Services Coordinator
• Cmedia-Respond2 Communications — Media Account Coordinator
• Consolidated Graphics — Leadership Development Program Associate
• Con-way Enterprise Services — Lead Instructional Designer/Usability Analyst
• Database Marketing Agency, Inc. (DMA) — Data Processing Analyst
• E3: Employers for Education Excellence — Administrative Coordinator
• ECONorthwest — Research Assistant
• First Investors Corporation — Financial Services Representative
• Fisher Investments — Account Executive
• Friends of the Children — Professional Mentors
• Fund for Public Interest Research, The — Canvass Director, Citizen Outreach
• Federal Bureau of Prisons — Correctional Officer
• Grassroots Campaigns, Inc. — Field Manager, Citizen Outreach Directors
• Hands to Hearts International — Research & Outreach Coordinator
• Harland Financial Solutions — Office Services Coordinator
• Hertz Corporation — Manager Trainee
• Human Services Council — Transportation Screener, Interpreter Services Screener
• Human Services Research Institute — Administrative Assistant
• Iberdrola Renewables — Trading Analyst
• InfiniSource, Inc. — High Tech Administrative Assistant
• Interaction Metrics — Research Lead: Research/Scoring and Presentations
• KATU Channnel 2 Portland — News Reporter
• Knowledge Learning Corporation — Grants Coordinator
• Kohl's Department Stores — Store Management Trainee
• Korean American League for Civic Action (KALCA) — Executive Director
• Kraft Foods, Inc. — Operations Supervisor
• League of Oregon Cities — Intergovernmental Relations Assistant
• Legal Aid Services of Oregon — Administrator
• Massini Group — Database Marketing Specialist
• McKenzie River Trust — Director of Resources
• MENTOR Oregon — Direct Service Employee
• Miller & Zimmerly Real Estate Investment Group — Executive Assistant/Office Coordinator
• Multnomah County Sheriff's Office — Deputy Sheriff
• Multnomah County Sustainability Program — Waste Reduction & Recycling Plan Coordinator
• Nature Conservancy of Oregon, The — Administrative Assistant
• Newell Rubbermaid — National Account Specialist
• Northwestern Mutual Financial Network — Associate Pension Specialist
• Office of Mayor Sam Adams — Art and Culture Policy Coordinator
• Oregon After-school for Kids — Youth Development Network Coordinator
• Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) — Land Application and Licensing Manager
• Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) — Program Coordinator, Local Agency Construction Administration Liaison, Construction Contracts Specialist, Research Analyst, Inspector
• Oregon State Police — Oregon State Troopers
• Pacific Interpreters, Inc. — In-house scheduler/ Spanish Quality Assurance Specialist
• Physicians for Social Responsibility — Executive Director
• Pinemeadow Golf, Inc. — Marketing and Sales Representative
• Safeway, Inc. — Assistant Store Manager
• SAIF — Claims Adjuster Trainees, Claims Adjuster, Claims Adjuster Supervisor, Bilingual Claims Adjuster
• Standard, The — Communications Specialist I
• State Farm Insurance — Claim Representative, Underwriter
• State of Oregon — Research Analyst 4, Procurement & Contract Specialist 3
• Teach Abroad — Teacher in China
• TruGreen — LandCare Site Measurer
• Universal Forest Products — Production Manager Trainee, Sales Trainee
• University of Oregon (UO) — Assistant Director for Alumni Relations
• US Border Patrol — Border Patrol Agent
• US Census Bureau — Vietnamese Interpreter
• US Department of Veterans Affairs — Management Analyst
• US Postal Service — Associate Account Manager
• Volunteers of America — Child Care Supervisor, Toddler Interventionist
• Willamette Neighborhood Housing Services — Home Ownership Program Assistant
• Yahoo! — Client Advocate
• Zones, Inc. — Account Executive

Career Center Library Resources
The Career Center Library has a variety of resources to help students explore potential career fields. These resources include information about typical responsibilities, qualifications, career paths, job outlook, salary, and related careers.

Books Specifically Related to Communication Majors

• Real People Working in Communications
• Oregon Media Production Directory
• Careers for Film Buffs & Other Hollywood Types
• Career Opportunities in Television, Cable, Video & Multimedia
• Newspaper: Whats In It For Me?
• Real People Working in Entertainment
  
• Careers in Focus: Public Relations

Vocational Biographies

Vocational Biographies describes the career success stories of 1001 real people. Search by career title, keyword, topic, and career cluster. Username: portland su and pass code: 3w9n

• Special Events Coordinator
• Public Relations Director
• Scriptwriter
• Airborne Traffic Reporter
• Communications Director
• Magazine Publisher
• Radio Talk Show Producer
• University Media Relations Director

Professional Associations

• American Communication Association (ACA) — ACA " is a not-for-profit organization, created to enhance and promote the academic and professional study, research, knowledge, criticism, teaching, exchange, and application of the basic principles of human communication."
• Western States Communication Association
• The Association for Women in Communications (AWC) — Professional association representing a variety of communications-related disciplines including: print and broadcast journalism, television and radio production, film, advertising, public relations, marketing, graphic design, multi-media design, and photography.
• International Association of Business Communicators
• National Communication Association — NCA "is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to promote study, criticism, research, teaching, and application of the artistic, humanistic, and scientific principles of communication."
• Association for Business Communication — ABC "is an international organization committed to fostering excellence in business communication scholarship, research, education, and practice."
• Society for Technical Communication
• Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)
• Public Relations Society of America Portland Metro Chapter
• National Association of Broadcasters
• International Society for Intercultural Education, Training and Research (SIETAR) — SIETAR "is an interdisciplinary, professional and service organisation whose purpose is to implement and promote cooperative interaction among peoples of diverse cultures, races and ethnic groups."

Internet Sites with Career-Related Information for Communication Majors

• What Can You do with a Communications Degree? — From the Speech Communication Department at PSU.
• Communication Studies — Lists potential job titles and related skills. From the University Career and Employment Services at the University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas.
• Student Guide to Careers in Communications — Lists job titles related to communications majors. From Career Services, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey.
• Communications — Lists job titles related to communications majors. From the Career Exploration Center at the University of Texas, Austin, Texas.
• Speech — Lists and briefly describes job titles related to speech majors. From the Career Exploration Center at the University of Texas, Austin, Texas.
• What can I do with a Major in...Communication Studies? — From the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, North Carolina.
• Speech Communication: What Can I Do With This Major? — Outlines common career areas, identifies typical employers, and suggests general strategies to enhance employability. From Career Services at the University of Tennessee.
• Broadcasting: What Can I Do With This Major? — Outlines common career areas, identifies typical employers, and suggests general strategies to enhance employability. From Career Services at the University of Tennessee.
• Journalism: What Can I Do With This Major? — Outlines common career areas, identifies typical employers, and suggests general strategies to enhance employability. From Career Services at the University of Tennessee.

Internet Sites with Job Search Information for Communication Majors

• Public Relations Employment Opportunities — From the Portland Metro Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.
• Authorlink! Writing Jobs & Market Tips
• Journalism Job Listings — "J-Jobs is a service to the journalism community provided by the University of California at Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism."
• Job Announcements — From Investigative Reporters and Editors, "a grassroots non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of investigative reporting within the field of journalism."
• AJR NewsLink — Searchable database of jobs from the American Journalism Review.
• Advertising & Media Job Openings
• TVJOBS — Broadcast Employment Services maintains list of broadcasting-related jobs.
• League of Oregon Cities — Intern Placement and Referral Service

Department of Communication - Portland State University