The University of Findlay - Career Opportunities

A major or minor in communication gives you an edge.

Recent publications make it clear: American employers rate communication as the most important skill in the workplace. Executives say 14 percent of each 40-hour work week is wasted because of communication blunders. Learn to do communicate with excellence.

There are many career options.

Click through some of the links on our page and you'll learn about some of the work our grads do across the country. A degree in communication can lead to jobs in any of the areas detailed below as well as rewarding careers as teachers, managers, CEOs and business owners.

Communication matters.

Strong communicators lead the country and lobby the legislature. They help people stop smoking or prevent cancer through social marketing campaigns. They protect the environment through grassroots action. They help individuals sort out complex information on public issues. Strong communicators change things. We can help you develop the skills so you can make a difference in the world.

Public Relations, Advertising & Integrated Marketing Communications

Public relations professionals are relationship managers. They manage the organization’s most valuable asset—its reputation.

Many people are attracted to these professions because of the high-profile nature of the work and the variety and excitement in the work day. Jobs entail anything from event planning and editing publications to media relations, promotions and top-level strategist positions. There is keen competition for entry-level jobs, but employment is projected to increase faster than average through 2012. Students with several internships under their belt will have greater success at landing a job upon graduation.

Every organization in every part of the world needs public relations. Still, larger cities will have more and higher-paying positions. Practitioners are hired by corporations, non-profit organizations or advertising and PR agencies. The government is the single largest employer.

Public relations specialists hold more than 165,000 jobs. Various surveys put the average salary for a public relations specialist at $41,710-$66,800. The top 10 percent take home more than $75,100.

Journalism, Writing, Editing & Publishing
While the traditional journalism careers of reporters, editors and publication designers still demand people who have been trained to gather, verify, package and disseminate news, career options are not limited to print media outlets anymore.

Training in journalism provides the foundation for many communication-based positions in corporate or non-profit arenas. Some jobs include marketing, advertising, public relations, online publishing, blogging, design and so on.

The Internet has increased the forums for reported information so career opportunities for journalism majors have expanded as well.

Interpersonal Communication
Since the ability to communicate with others one-on-one is crucial to every aspect of our lives, interpersonal communication is one of the most flexible degrees available.

In addition to strengthening their own relationships, graduates can find careers in counseling, education, religion, politics, business, sales or social work. The world is the limit as graduates combine their ability to effectively communicate with a field of personal interest.

Health Communication
Health Communication addresses the interpersonal communication between clients and health care professionals, the dissemination of health information, and the influences and uses of media to promote health messages.

Students majoring in Health Communication at The University of Findlay may find successful careers in pharmaceutical sales, health care management, health campaigns, consulting and training, communication manager for federal health agencies, health communication analyst, medical grants writer, health center communication director, marketing director, and health facility fund raiser.

Digital Media
The world is now connected through the internet and technology that can tie us together in seconds.

Today there is a great need to be able to create and disseminate news and information immediately. Students who study in this area will learn on the latest technology from professionals who will do more than teach theory--they will show you the tricks of the trade.

Learn how to shoot and edit video. Know your way around audio, video and design software. Don't simply think along traditional channels of media dissemination--think more broadly and deeply about communication and how to get information to the public. Professionals who can do this are always in demand.