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There are three primary focus areas in the Communication Department: (1) Mediated, (2) Interpersonal, and (3) Organizational. There are also two special focus areas: (4) Health, and (5) Leadership. The following sections list selected careers, job descriptions and job titles for each of these five areas. Click on any of the general or specific topics, or browse through the courses, job descriptions, and job titles. (The National Communication Association's web site, http://www.natcom.org/Instruction/Pathways/5thEd.htm, provides good details on the History, Areas of Concentration, and Higher Education in the discipline of Communication, as well as an overview of Careers in communication, getting a job in Communication, and additional online and print resources in Communication Studies.) (1) MEDIATED COMMUNICATION
A few of the classes under this area of study
Some of the exciting career opportunities
(Advertising, Electronic Media, Public Relations, Business/Government) (2) SOCIAL INTERACTION/INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
A few classes recommended under this area of study
Job Titles (3) ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION
Some classes you can take in this field
Internal Communication -- Job Description
Job Titles
External Communication -- Job Description
Job Titles OTHER FIELDS OF ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION
(job descriptions and job titles for Publications, Training, Media, Research) (4) HEALTH COMMUNICATION
A few courses recommended for this area of interest
Careers (5) LEADERSHIP
Some classes you can take in this field
Leadership Certificate Program
(1) Mediated Communication
Mediated Communication examines how communication technologies affect people socially, economically, and politically. This area opens a large realm of possible job opportunities in firms, organizations, and government agencies.
A few of the classes under this area of study are:
•Mediated Communication Theory (192:354)
•Mediated Communication in Society (192:432)
•Telecommunications Policy and Processes (192:449)
Some of the exciting career opportunities are listed under the following sub-fields:
1. Advertising (positions that involve the marketing of products and services that companies provide):
•Market Analyst •Media Planner •Creative Director •Public Opinion Researcher
2. Electronic Media (jobs that involve media such as television, radio, Internet, etc.):
•Broadcasting Station Manager •Film Tape Librarian •Community Relations Director •Unit Manager
•Film Director •News Director •Transmitter Engineer •Technical Director •Media Buyer
•Market Researcher •Actor •Announcer •Disk Jockey •News Anchor •Public Relations Manager
•Producer •Researcher •Floor Manager
3. Public Relations (managing the perception of an organization either internally or externally):
•Publicity Manager •Marketing Specialist •Lobbyist •Corporate Public Affairs Specialist
•Media Analyst •Media Planner •Audience Analyst •Public Opinion Researcher
4. Business/Government (general careers available in the vast sectors of public service and Corporate America):
•Director of Corporate Communication •Public Information Officer •Communication Trainer
•Campaign Director •Press Secretary
(2) Social Interaction/Interpersonal Communication
Social Interaction and Interpersonal Communication focuses on human interaction, relationships, verbal and nonverbal conversations and techniques.
In this area of study you gain the opportunity to learn about the dynamics of human communication and the environment.
A few classes recommended under this area of study are:
•Interpersonal Communication (192:355)
•Group Communication (192:356)
•Nonverbal Communication (192:443)
Job Titles
•Advisors •Speech Instructor •College Counselor •Counselor
•Social Worker •Mediator •Foreign Relations Officer •Consumer Advocate
•Fundraiser •Human Resources Associate •Corporate Trainer •Recruiter
Also:
•Student Activities Director •Tour Guide •Philanthropic Representative •Customer Relations Representative
•Public Relations Specialist •Community Relations Liaison •Public Administrator •Public Affairs Director
•Lawyer •Lobbyist •Human Rights Officer •Religious Leader
•Sales Representative •Sales-Retail Manager •Service Administrator •Information Specialist
(3) Organizational Communication
Organizational Communication can be grouped into internal and external forms of communication.
Some classes you can take in this field are:
•Message Design (192:313)
•Organizational Communication (192:357)
•Organizational Reputation and Representation (192:366)
•Administrative Communication (192:457)
•Public Relations Management (192:409)
Internal Communication -- Job Description
•Provide consultation, assistance, and guidance to management on the matters relating to employee communication; coordinates employee communication programs and activities; coordinates publishing of regular employee media. Coordinates and conducts attitudinal and other polls among employees; provides editorial and publishing services; produces, edits, and distributes special publications.
•Develops and maintains informational unit to serve the needs of the senior management and the communication department.
•Develops, coordinates, and implements small group, face-to-face communication programs to facilitate team building, problem identification, and problem solving.
Job Titles
Director, Manager or Coordinator of:
•Internal Communication •Employee Communication •Employees Communication and Training •Employee Information
•Upward Communication •Management-Employee Communication •Communication Services •Marketing Communication
•Labor Relations Specialist •Communication Analyst •Staff Consultant
External Communication -- Job Description
•Responsible for a full range of external public relations activities, from corporate advertising through community, shareholder, financial, and government relations; produces corporate literature, sales promotions, and special publications.
•Directs and coordinates all activity in the development, implementation, and administration of a corporate identification system covering all aspects of visual communication, material, and media.
•Have administrative responsibilities for public relations and development departments.
•Is responsible for internal communication, communication with employees’ families, and community relations.
•Plans and directs public information and community relations programs.
•Assists executive officers in the public aspects of his/her post.
Job Titles
Vice-President, Director, or Manager of:
•External Communications •Information Department •Public Information •Public Affairs
•Public Communications •Corporate Relations •Special Projects
Also:
•Community Relations Officer •Director, Government Affairs •Government Relations Counselor •Manager, Press Relations
•Press Relations Consultant •Press Information Officer •Media Relations Manager •Public Relations Supervisor
•Public Affairs Representative •Public Information Director •Public Information Manager •Public Information Specialist
•Manager, Investor Relations •Field Publicity Consultant
Other Fields of Organizational Communication
1. Publications -- Job Description
•Supervises writers responsible for writing and publishing in-house publications.
•Is responsible for acquisition, development, and production of books in the communication fields; also responsible for presenting books to sales staff and working with the advertising staff on promotional materials.
•Writes and edits news releases, publications, special projects, recruiting brochures; maintain archives, mailing lists, and biographical files.
•Prepares brochures for physicians and materials for the Food and Drug Administration.
•Produce monthly employee newsletter – gathers news, coordinates news staff, takes pictures, edits, prepares layout, writes, proofreads.
Job Titles
•Manager or Supervisor of Employee Publications; Corporate Information; or Supervisor, Staff Publications and Services
•Specialist, Corporate Information •Publications Advisor •General News Manager •News Manager
•News Supervisor •Supervisory Editor •Publications Editor •Associate Publisher
•Employee Publications Editor •Editorial Director •Editor •Senior Editor
•Associate Editor •Production Editor •Assistant Editor •Copy Editor
•Editorial Assistant •Medical Editor •Industrial Editor •Writer-Editor
•Writer •Product Promotion Writer •Sales Promotion Writer •Specifications Writer
•Technical Writer •Audiovisual Writer •Advertising Copywriter •Reporter
•Sports Information Director •Book Designer
2. Training -- Job Description
•Includes programs in training, conference planning, information services, and associated evaluation activities for research and training organizations.
•Plans, organizes, and coordinates training and development activities; conducts management development programs; determines training and developmental needs; consults with management.
Job Titles
•Group Supervisor •Training and Development Leader •Training and Communication Administrator
•Training and Development Specialist •Training Materials
3. Media -- Job Description
•Responsible for the development for coordinated programs in the photo-audio-visual arts areas.
Job Titles
Supervisor, Coordinator, Director, or Project Manager:
•Photo-Audio-Visual Services •Graphic and Audiovisual •Audiovisual
Also:
•Art Director •Assistant Art Director •Photo Services Manager •Photographer
•Motion Picture Manager •Film Producer •Coordinator, Corporate Internal Television •Television Specialist
•Radio and Television Publicity •Director, Cable Television Project
4. Research -- Job Description
•Is responsible for the development of research program to support policy and programs activities of the branch; organizes conferences, symposia, and meetings.
•Directs research projects.
•Assists in the technical administration of the department and undertakes special assignments in relation to planning and coordinating education, extension, and research services, communications, staff development and training.
Job Titles
•Assistant Director of Research •Research Coordinator •Research Scientist •Research Specialist
•Social Scientist •Research and Editorial Associate •Corporate Communications Research Analyst •Senior Scientific Services Officer
(4) Health Communication
Health Communication is an exciting and emerging field of interest. Many hospitals, non-profit health organizations and drug companies have formed departments of public relations and are in need of communication professionals to organize publicity campaigns, establish media contacts, and stage media events. Other potential professional opportunities include working as patient representatives in hospitals, drug representatives for pharmaceutical companies as well as organizing health campaigns in order to promote public health awareness and safety.
A few courses recommended for this area of interest are:
•Health Communication (192:407)
•Health Message and Campaign Design (192:408)
•Topics in Comm, Advanced Health Comm (192:472); This is a good hands-on course where you work with the RUSure Campaign as part of the Center for Communication and Health Issues
Careers
•Advertising Agencies •Government Positions related to Public Health •Non-Profit Health Organizations
•Pharmaceutical Companies •HMO’s
For more information on the web, see: http://www.sla.purdue.edu/healthcomm, a good source for health communication information in general.
(5) Leadership
Some classes you can take in this field are:
•Group Communication (192:356)
•Approaches to Leadership (192:390)
•Leadership in Groups and Organizations (192:458)
Leadership Certificate Program:
The Department of Communication offers a Certificate in Leadership. Undergraduates have the opportunity to study leadership while engaging in practical experiences in and out of the classroom. As part of their field experience, Leadership Certificate students will represent Rutgers University in corporate, political, artistic, non-profit, educational, healthcare, or other settings of their choosing. Successful completion of the Leadership Certificate Program will be noted on students' transcripts and on a Departmental Certificate. Students can apply to the Leadership Certificate Program before taking or any time up until the last class week of taking COMM 192:390, Approaches to Leadership. Students must be Communication majors with at least a 3.0 Communication GPA. Applications to, and more information about, the Leadership Certificate Program are available by contacting Stacey Connaughton, Program Coordinator, at (732) 932-7500 ext. 8116 or staceyc@scils.rutgers.edu; applications are available on the communication website, Communication Undergraduate Program Information |
