5 Reasons to Earn a Degree in Communications or Public Relations

5 Advantages of Earning a Communications or Public Relations Degree

• Can Apply To Many Different Roles
• In Demand
• Good Salary Expectations
• Unlikely To Be Replaced
• Learn Tech Skills

There are several key advantages to getting a degree in communications or public relations. Both of these degrees teach a wide variety of transferable skills that can be used in most professions, and both fields are in fairly high demand. The following are some of the most convincing reasons to earn one of these two degrees.

1. Can Apply To Many Different Roles

These degrees, communications, in particular, can be used to get a job in several different fields. This often gives them a significant advantage over specific degrees that are tailored more to one occupation. It affords students more flexibility to alter their career paths or choose from a wider variety of jobs upon graduation, which can be a major selling point. Even public relations degrees can be used to get jobs as a social media manager, marketer and other related professions.

2. In Demand

Both public relations and communications professionals are in somewhat high demand. This is because more and more businesses require professionals to maintain their image and communicate effectively with both their customers and the general public. Holders of a degree in communications or public relations can do this in several different roles, from maintaining social media feeds to handling inter-departmental communication at a company to running advertising campaigns. Competition is expected for the most popular jobs such as marketing managers and big firms with significant media exposure. Holders of these degrees will also be able to find freelance consulting work with the many small businesses looking to increase their exposure and improve their relationship with their customers.

3. Good Salary Expectations

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for public relations professionals is $60,000. Communications is harder to pin down because it is a more general degree that allows students to go into quite a few related occupations. However, salary expectations for communications degree holders are around the same amount. Getting into higher-paying positions, such as management, often increases salaries to over $100,000 annually.

4. Unlikely To Be Replaced

Students may be concerned about entering quite a few fields due to the chance their jobs will be replaced by automation in the future. This is simply not likely to happen with public relations and communications professionals. Both of these roles are oriented towards interpersonal communication, roles that machines are simply not going to take over anytime soon. Also, companies may be less likely to eliminate these positions as well. Good public relations and communications professionals are instrumental in keeping an organization afloat and in the public’s good graces. This future job security can be a significant factor in favor of these degrees.

5. Learn Tech Skills

Although neither public relations nor communications is a tech degree, students who earn one will still graduate with useful tech skills. This is because a significant amount of human communication is done digitally, particularly through social media. Quality degree programs in these subjects teach students in-depth about digital methods of communication and promotion. Specific tech skills taught include the basics of digital communication, managing feeds on various social media platforms, setting up e-mail newsletter lists, the operation of digital communication software and more. All of these skills are useful in many circumstances, including if the student wants to start a business of their own.

Related Resource: 25 Most Affordable Online Master’s Communications and Public Relations Degrees

Both of these degrees can be excellent choices for students who love interacting with others. Consider all of these excellent reasons to earn a degree in communications or public relations.