Exploration Week 1: What Can I Do with My Degree?

This post is an assignment for my Career Development Skills class.  In this post I am to identify what potential jobs, environments and other career related potentials will be available to me once I graduate.

Degree Description and Area of Specialization:

Media Communications is a degree focused on use of new media technologies to effectively interpret, create and deliver messages to a diverse audience across multiple media channels. It focuses on any method by which we communicate stories, ideas, concepts or experiences. As a graduate of Media Communications and currently having a position as a graphic designer for a local design firm, my specialization is in creation of digital designs, brand logos, brand development, marketing, media packages and marketing strategy as well as execution.

20+ Common Job Titles:

• Brand Development Manager
• Graphic Designer
• Marketing Manager
• Media Strategist
• Social Media Coordinator
• Art Director
• Multimedia Designer
• Brand/Product Manager
• Digital Strategist
• Creative Director
• Social Media Specialist
• Project Manager
• Infographic Designer
• Production Designer
• Interactive Designer
• Brand Specialist
• Tradeshow coordinator
• Print Designer
• Media Relations Manager
• Communications Specialist
• Media Supervisor
• Digital Media Planning Strategist
• Digital Marketing Strategist
• Production Artist
• Graphic Design Coordinator
• Public Relations Coordinator

10 Potential Employment Settings:

• Large Corporations (Vans, Adidas)
• Remote (home office, freelance)
• Collaborative Design Firm
• Government Offices
• Television Stations
• Hospitality
• Online Corporations
• Small Scale Business
• Franchise Style Corporations
• Multiple Client Firm (Fastsigns, Signorama)

All of the above related career environments present a unique place to be creative.  For myself professionally as well as personally, I prefer to work in a one-on-one environment.  My ideal environment would be to work for only one client and not be in a multiple client business.  I have worked as a graphic designer for a multi-client firm and found that my creative design time is very limited and stifled with to much distraction if there are to many clients needing attention.  I also have found that not having a space to be completely creative, such as an office with a view to the world outside limits creativity.

5 Relevant Skills Used in Industry:

• Communications skills
• Creative writing
• Self-motivation
• Design & Strategy development (Photoshop, InDesign, Premier/Final Cut, Microsoft Office, Prezi, & Piktograph)
• Organization & Prioritization

5+ Industry Career Sites / Publications:

• LinkedIn- Social Business site
• CMYK – Graphic Design Magazine
• IEEE COMSOC- Communications Resource Site
• Communications Arts
• McMag.com
• GreatInsuranceJobs.com- Career finder site

Professional Associations / Organizations:

• NCA – National Communications Association
• AMC Pros- Association of Media Communications Professionals
• IABC – International Association of Business Communications
• AWC – Association for Women in Communications

Salary Information & Resources of Information

Payscale.com

Ineed.com

Work.Chron.Com

Salaries were very different from position, and location.  The general salary amount for entry-level ranges from 32,500$ to 48,000$ for Bachelor’s Degrees, and the range for individuals with experience in their desired field or career is 48,000$ to 110,000$.  All salaries are for annual incomes.