<h2 align="center">What can you do with a Speech Communication degree?</h2><p align="center"></p><p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal" class="MsoNormal"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'>The Speech Communication discipline spans a wide range of occupational categories and so it is difficult to place a graduate into a category. The purpose of this page is to provide guidance on typical employment areas and employers for Speech Communication majors and strategies on how to adequately prepare oneself for a career.</span></p><p>Below are handouts that offer information on areas of employment and typical employers of Speech Communication majors. They also offer strategies to maximize your career opportunities.</p><p><a href="http://www.adobe.com/go/getreader" target="_blank"><img height="27" border="0" width="74" alt="" src="/id0904f67a805ee253" /></a> <em><a href="http://get.adobe.com/reader" target="_blank">Adobe Acrobat Reader</a> is required to view the Areas of Employment, Employers and Strategies Information. You can download this free from the Adobe Web site. </em></p><blockquote> <ul> <li><a href="/id0904f67a805ee250" target="_blank">Speech Communication degree</a> - employment areas, typical employers, strategies</li> <li><a href="/id0904f67a805ee251" target="_blank">Public Relations</a> - employment areas, typical employers, strategies</li> <li><a href="/id0904f67a805ee252" target="_blank">What can I do with a Speech Communication degree</a>? - NCA poster</li> </ul></blockquote><p></p><h3>Links to Useful Employment Sources</h3><p>Below is a list of websites that provide information about careers in Communication. Keep in mind that the information sheet and websites are representative of typical career paths associated with Communication majors and not a comprehensive list. You may want to explore information and websites from other sources to help you learn about a wide range of career opportunities.<!--StartFragment--></p><ul> <li><a href="http://www.makingthedifference.org/.../communications.shtml" target="_blank">Communication Jobs in Federal Government</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.aboutpublicrelations.net/jobsinpr.htm" target="_blank">Work in PR</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.roundtable.org " target="_blank">Communications Roundtable</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.asne.org/index.cfm?id=2" target="_blank">Careers in Journalism from the American Society of Newspaper Editors</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.careers-in-marketing.com/ad.htm" target="_blank">Careers in Advertising and PR</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.prsa.org/" target="_blank">Public Relations Society of America</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.mandy.com/" target="_blank">Film and Television Production Directory / Employment Opportunities</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.tvjobs.com/index_a.htm" target="_blank">TV Jobs Broadcast Employment Services</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.nab.org/" target="_blank">National Association of Broadcasters</a></li> <li><a href="http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos087.htm" target="_blank">Announcers from the Occupational Outlook Handbook</a></li> <li><a href="http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos020.htm" target="_blank">Advertising, Marketing, Promotions, Public Relations, and Sales Managers from the Occupational Outlook Handbook</a></li> <li><a href="http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos086.htm" target="_blank">Public Relations Specialists from the Occupational Outlook Handbook</a></li> <li><a href="http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos088.htm" target="_blank">News Analysts, Reporters, and Correspondents from the Occupational Outlook Handbook</a></li> <li><a href="http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos091.htm" target="_blank">Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators and Editors from the Occupational Outlook Handbook</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs017.htm" target="_blank">Broadcasting from the Occupational Outlook Handbook</a><!--EndFragment--></li> <li><a href="http://aboutpublicrelations.net" target="_blank">All About PR with Steven R. Van Hook</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.prweek.com" target="_blank">PR Week</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.newspaperscareers.org " target="_blank">Newpapers Careers</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.magazine.org" target="_blank">Magazine Publishers of America</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.tvrundown.com" target="_blank">TV Jobs from TV Rundown</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.siue.edu/careerdevelopmentcenter/" target="_blank">SIUE Career Development Center</a></li></ul><blockquote><!--StartFragment--></blockquote><p><strong>Have you considered graduate school?</strong> Check our <a href="/id0904f67a805875d4" target="_top">graduate program</a>.</p><p><strong>Disclaimer</strong>: Please note that the websites listed above are not maintained by the Department of Speech Communication but are provided as a convenience to students.<span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'>Other Resources</span></p><div style="text-align:center;line-height:normal" class="MsoNormal" align="center"> <hr size="2" width="100%" align="center" /></div><h2 style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;text-align:center;line-height:normal;mso-outline-level:2" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><strong><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'>Preparing Answers</span></strong></h2><p align="center"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-font-kerning:18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>(adopted from http://www.eiu.edu/~speech/old/dowithug.htm)</span></p><p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:answers"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'>Many employers have problems trying to place communication program graduates into a traditional occupational category. Candidates often need to assist the employer in coming to understand what a communication degree can offer for their organization. This section provides some hints on how to prepare and to talk with prospective employers.</span></span></p><p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:answers"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'>The underlying assumption for this section is that all employers are really looking for five basic items from any candidate. Those items are:</span></span></p><ul type="disc"> <li style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal;mso-list:l13 level1 lfo20;tab-stops:list .5in" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:answers"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'>Relational skills (interpersonal, group/team, conflict management)</span></span></li> <li style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal;mso-list:l13 level1 lfo20;tab-stops:list .5in" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:answers"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'>Critical thinking skills</span></span></li> <li style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal;mso-list:l13 level1 lfo20;tab-stops:list .5in" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:answers"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'>Writing skills</span></span></li> <li style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal;mso-list:l13 level1 lfo20;tab-stops:list .5in" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:answers"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'>Computer skills</span></span></li> <li style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal;mso-list:l13 level1 lfo20;tab-stops:list .5in" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:answers"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'>Degree and/or specific skill area (demonstrates ability to master content areas and right of passage)</span></span></li></ul><p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:answers"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'>As a Speech Communication major, you have a competitive advantage. You have more experience with relational and critical thinking skills than others. If you managed your degree program positively, you would have developed the computer and writing skills you need. Finally, if you have constructed a coherent major program and perhaps have a minor program, you have a content area which demonstrates your ability to learn. Ability to learn is important because what you know will change, who you are does not. For new college graduates it is a little more basic, an employer will hire for what you are and train you in what you need to know.</span></span></p><p style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:answers"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'>So, what do you need to do to prepare for your job search efforts? Consider the following items as additional things to consider beyond the normal advice.</span></span></p><ul type="disc"> <li style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal;mso-list:l19 level1 lfo21;tab-stops:list .5in" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:answers"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'>you need to be able to explain how your skills and experiences fit the five categories described above.</span></span></li> <li style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal;mso-list:l19 level1 lfo21;tab-stops:list .5in" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:answers"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'>You need to be able to explain what a communication degree is in terms that a recruiter will understand.</span></span></li> <li style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal;mso-list:l19 level1 lfo21;tab-stops:list .5in" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:answers"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'>You will need to be able to differentiate your degree from other degrees and describe its competitive advantage.</span></span></li> <li style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal;mso-list:l19 level1 lfo21;tab-stops:list .5in" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:answers"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'>You need to be able to explain what you can do for an organization.</span></span></li></ul><p><!--EndFragment--></p>