This document discusses communications as a field of study and career path. It provides an overview of human communication and examines common communication courses covering topics like interpersonal conflict and intercultural communication. The document also explores public relations, journalism and media production fields, outlining related coursework and projected job growth in areas like human resources and technical writing. Overall, the document argues that a degree in communications provides diverse, stable career opportunities and skills applicable to all professions by developing strong human interaction abilities.

1. Cassia Martens
David Kozlowski
Jared Kraus
Kristina Letcher
Megan Brown

2. Why Study Communications?
An integral part of daily life
An important skill for the workplace
A way to express ideas through entertainment
Numerous careers available in the fields of human
communication, public relations, journalism, and media
productions.

3. Human Communications Overview
Study of the methods and processes humans use to
communicate with each other
(Defleur)

4. Human Communication Courses
Interpersonal Conflict
Intercultural Communication
Political Communication
Nonverbal Communication
(SU Catalog)

5. Human Communications
Job Outlook
1. Human Resources Specialist
 22% employment growth
 $45,470 median annual wages in May 2008
2. Meetings/Conventions Planner
 16% employment growth
 $44,260 median annual wages in May 2008
3. Technical Writer
 18% employment growth
 $61,620 median annual wages
(Occupational Outlook Handbook)

6. Public Relations/Journalism
Overview
Journalism- The profession or
practice of reporting about,
photographing, or editing news
stories for one of the mass media.
•Public Relations- The
professional staff employed to
create, promote, or maintain a
favorable relationship between
an organization and the public.
(Collins English Dictionary)

7. Public Relations/Journalism
Courses
Introduction of Mass Media
Writing for the profession
Public affairs reporting (Journalism)
Media and criminal justice (Journalism)
Media design & layout (Public relations)
Advertising campaigns (Public relations)
(SU Catalog)

8. Public Relations/Journalism
Job Outlook
Media Planner
$35,604 to $46,600 per year
Public Affairs Specialist
$34,000 to $40,000 per year
Sports Media
$36,00 to $100,000 per year
(Careers and Marketing)
(Making the difference)
(Hot Jobs)

9. Media Production Overview
Media Production focuses on the hands-on aspects of
television, radio, and film. Students begin by creating
short radio and television programs and then progress to
producing entire programs.

10. Media Production Courses
 Television Studio Production
International Studies in Communication
Producing a TV Magazine Show
(SU Catalog)

11. Media Production Job Outlook
• Producer – There is a growing need, but it is still tough to be
employed as a producer. Median annual wages of producers and
directors were $64,430 in 2008.
• Managing Editor – There is a slow growing employment, but it is a
very competitive occupation because so many people are attracted
to this job. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $28,090, and the
highest 10 percent earned more than $95,490.
• Broadcast Engineer – There is a slow growing need for engineers.
People seeking entry-level jobs as technicians in broadcasting are
expected to face heavy competition in major metropolitan areas.
Prospects are expected to be better in small cities and towns. The
lowest 10 percent earned less than $17,510, and the highest 10
percent earned more than $66,550

12. A Degree in Communications…
Permeates all career paths
Provides numerous, stable career opportunities
Provides skills for all human interactions

13. Works Cited
 Public Relations. (n.d.). Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition. Retrieved
November 02, 2010, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Public
Relations
 Journalism. (n.d.). Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition. Retrieved
November 02, 2010, from Dictionary.com website:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/journalism
 (2009). Careers in Advertising and Public Relations. Retrieved from http://www.careers-in-
marketing.com/ad.htm
 (2008). Communication Jobs in the Federal Government. Retrieved from
http://www.makingthedifference.org/federalcareers/communications.shtml
 (2010). Sports Media, PR, Events and Communications Jobs with Pro Sports Teams and Companies.
Retrieved from http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/job-
JAOQ4E10W6L;_ylt=Apu11wynHiC42A8z5t9NQC76Q6IX?source=SRP
 Salisbury University. (2010). Salisbury University undergraduate and graduate catalog 2010-2012.
Retrieved from http://www.salisbury.edu/catalog/10-12/207_330_Courses.pdf
 Bureau of labor statistics. (2010). Occupational Outlook Handbook , 2010-11 Edition. Retrieved from
http://www.bls.gov/oco/
 Defleur, Plax, Kearney, & Defleur. (2005). Fundamentals of Human Communication. New York, NY:
McGraw-Hill.