Career Options and Advanced Study
Overview
Communication ranks among the most pragmatic and popular fields of academic study. It provides an ideal springboard for many established occupations, a rapidly growing number of new careers, and a large variety of graduate and professional degrees. In addition, competencies that are integral to the majors in Communication Studies and Corporate Communication, such as communication skills, teamwork, and equity and inclusion, are among the top eight competencies desired by employers of college graduates.
For more information please see the materials posted below as well as the materials posted under BA in Communication Studies and BA in Corporate Communication.
Major in Communication Studies
Communication Studies is among the top ten most popular majors nationwide. Interest in the field is based on the increasing complexity of human relationships; globalization with unprecedented social, economic, political, and cultural dynamics; the importance of understanding messages and their consequences for addressing vital societal and political concerns; and the pervasive influence of media, including communication technology and social media. As a result, the major in Communication Studies prepares students for a large variety of careers and graduate and professional degrees.
Concentrations
Interpersonal and Group Communication
- Careers: e.g., speech or communication training and coaching, counseling, mediation, sales, employee relations, community outreach or development
- Graduate Degrees: e.g., communication studies, communication education, psychology
- Certification and Professional Degrees: e.g., counseling, human resource management
For more information, see Careers and Advanced Study, Communication Careers, and the STARR Spotlight on Communication Studies.
Intercultural and International Communication
- Careers: e.g., intercultural training, international business, multicultural marketing, global communications, diplomacy, foreign correspondence, international education, travel industry, international development
- Graduate Degrees: e.g., communication studies, intercultural communication, international relations, international development, international business
- Certification and Professional Degrees: e.g., DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion), intercultural business consulting, global relocation and transition counseling
For overviews, see Careers and Advanced Study, Communication Careers, the STARR Spotlight on Communication Studies.
For information specific to intercultural and international communication, see Intercultural/International Communication Internships and Careers, Job Search Advice for Communication Majors (with focus on intercultural and international communication), and Advice on Pursuing Graduate Studies in Intercultural:International Communication. Also of interest is the Weissman Center for International Business, which offers information on study abroad, globally oriented internships, work abroad, and the Global Student Certificate.
Rhetoric and Public Advocacy
- Careers: communication and public policy, lobbying, legislative work, political campaigning, speechwriting, community outreach, political activism
- Graduate Degrees: communication studies, law
For more information, see Careers and Advanced Study, Communication Careers, and the STARR Spotlight on Communication Studies.
Digital Communication and Culture
- Careers: new media industries, multimedia planning, social media coordination, digital communications, digital content management, publishing, media sales
- Graduate Degrees: communication studies, studies related to journalism and broadcasting
- Certification and Professional Degrees: screenwriting, documentary media, media management, film production
For more information, see Careers and Advanced Study, Communication Careers, and the STARR Spotlight on Communication Studies.
Major in Corporate Communication
The major in the Corporate Communication offered by the Department of Communication Studies prepares students for careers in the corporate communication divisions of major corporations, in public relations firms and advertising agencies, in consulting firms, and as communication specialists in the public sector or with nonprofit organizations. Moreover, with the program’s strong foundation in business, students may also seek positions in sales and marketing, management, and in corporate training and development.
Students interested in learning more about the field of public relations are encouraged to view the video “What is Public Relations?” VHS 1011 in the Newman Library, Baruch College.
Recent graduates have taken positions with such companies as Burson-Marsteller, Morgan Stanley, Madison Square Garden, Dun & Bradstreet, NYU Medical Center, Miramax, and Financial World Magazine.
For more career information, see Careers and Advanced Study, Communication Careers, and the STARR Spotlight on Corporate Communication. For information on the corporate communication graduate program at Baruch College, see MA in Corporate Communication.
Career Development at Baruch
The STARR Career Development Center provides undergraduate career services at Baruch College. Services include career counseling; vocational testing; mock interview training; resume reviews; career-related workshops; sponsorship of Career Days, an Internship Fair, and part-time and full-time job and internship position postings.
See the video Job Search Advice for Communication Majors for valuable advice by counselors from the STARR Career Development Center (the examples on this video are for intercultural and international communication, but the information applies to all communication students).
The Weissman Center for International Business offers information on study abroad, globally oriented internships, work abroad, and the Global Student Certificate.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteering provides an excellent opportunity to explore career paths and gain experience. VolunteerMatch helps to match you with organizations of your interest.
Internship Opportunities
The NYC Civic Engagement Commission currently offers the following internships: Communications, Graphic Design, Language Access, Poll Site, and Participatory Budgeting and Neighborhood Coalition.
Job and Internship Search Websites
Communication Career and Internship Sites
General Career Information for Communication Majors
Job Listings from the Association for Women in Communications
New York Women in Communications provides information on jobs, internship, tips, and skill building.
The Public Relations Society of America site specializes in careers in Public Relations.
General Career and Internship Sites
Features include: My Monster, resume management, a personal job search agent, a careers network, chats and message boards, privacy options, expert advice on job-seeking and career management, and free newsletters.
Apply for jobs, research information on companies; get job interview and resume writing tips.
Job and Internship Search Engines
Professional Associations and Career Development
Professional associations and institutes offering career development provide excellent networking opportunities, the latest developments in the field, and information on careers. Some of the following websites also include information on internships.
American Association of Advertising Agencies
Association of Meeting Professionals
Intercultural Communication Institute
International Communication Association
International Association of Business Communicators
Meeting Professionals International
National Communication Association
Public Relations Society of America