What Can I Do With A Major In Media Studies?
A degree in Media Studies helps students develop practical communication skills for engagement around campus, in the workplace, at home, in society, and in the world. Students who earn a degree in Media Studies successfully find employment opportunities in a variety of areas where they will need intercultural, ethical, and media savvy communication expertise. A bachelor degree in Media Studies also prepares students who want to enter graduate school for advanced studies in communication, media, education, or other related fields.
Possible Career Options
(Some may require further education/specialization)Advertising Copy Writer/Director
Announcer/Broadcaster
Booking Manager
Broadcast State Manager
Casting Director
Cinematographer
Communications Coordinator
Community Relations Director/Liaison
Critic
Director
Disc Jockey
Entertainment Agent
Film Director/Producer
Foreign Service Officer
Freelance Writer/Author
Librarian
Lobbyist
Market Executive
Media Analyst/Buyer/Planner/Relations
Music Publisher
News Anchor
Online Editor
Photographer
Political Consultant
Producer
Proofreader
Public Information Officer
Public Relations Specialist
Publisher
Reporter
Research and Editorial Specialist
Sales Representative
Screen/Script Writer
Special Events Coordinator
Speech Instructor
Speech Writer
Staff Consultant
Talent Agent
Technical Writer
Television Engineer
Tour Guide
Visual Effects Producer
Webmaster/Content Writer
Types of Employers
Private & Non-Profit Organizations
Advertising Agencies
Book Publishers
Cable Television
Community Arts Centers
Community Organizations
Educational Organizations
Entertainment Organizations
Film Companies
Financial Institutions
Foundations
Health Organizations
HMOs
International Organizations
Investment Firms
Labor Unions
Libraries/Museums
Magazines
Management/Consulting Firms
Manufacturing Firms
Market Research Companies
News Agencies
Newspapers
Professional Associations
Public Relations Firms
Radio Stations
Retail Stores
Telecommunications Firms
Television Stations
Theaters
Government Agencies
Cultural Affairs
Department of Labor
Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board
Library of Congress
National Endowment for the Humanities
National Park Service
National Science Foundation
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
Public Health Agencies
Small Business Administration US Information Agency
Voice of America
Transferrable Skills
Transferable Skills
Works well under pressure
Concentrates for long periods of time
Proficiency with media technologies
Meets deadlines
Communication Skills
Reads, writes and speaks proficiently
Possesses a comprehensive command of grammar and vocabulary
Possesses good listening and interviewing skills
Problem Solving Skills
Makes critical observations and appropriate decisions
Research Skills
Conducts and clearly explains research results
Reads analytically and critically
Understands and uses qualitative research techniques
Experiential Education
Working as a journalist for a newspaper
Editing and proofreading books for a publishing company
Developing newsletters for a non-profit organization
Serving as student editor for a creative writing journal
Researching stories for magazine articles
Writing verses for a greeting card company
Arranging a major specific speaker series conference
Professional Associations
Ad Council,
adcouncil.org
American Communication Association,
americancomm.org
American Federation of Television & Radio Artists,
aftra.org
American Film Institute,
afi.com
Association for Women in Communications,
womcom.org
National Communication Association,
natcom.org
Popular Culture Association,
h-net.org/~pcaaca
Women in Film,
wif.org
Enhancing Your Employability
Join relevant student organizations to develop leadership skills
Participate in internships and field experience placements
Become active in alumni and/or mentor networks
Write and/or produce for the school newspaper, journal, radio, broadcasting channels