From writing press releases to organizing events, communications specialists enjoy a lot of excitement in their day-to-day work. If you’re thinking of working in communications, you might be wondering what a day in the life of a communications specialist looks like: Is it mostly responding to media enquiries or are you more likely to attend a lot of meetings? The answer depends on your specific role. However, although the tasks might vary from one day to the next, most communications specialists do a combination of the following things:

Responding to media enquiries

One of the key aspects of a communications specialist’s job is to respond to incoming media enquiries. This can include setting up interviews or handling questions about a potential company problem. Whatever the case, communications specialists are responsible for always putting their best foot forward. They also must always act with the company’s best interest in mind.

Crafting press releases and other types of content

Communications specialists are in charge of creating various types of content. That said, they must also ensure that messaging is consistent and in line with company policies. As such, communications specialists often spend time writing, editing, and sharing content with different audiences. This can include the media or the company’s clients

Meeting with teams within the company to provide communications training

For communications specialists who focus on internal communication, providing communications training is an important part of the role. This includes ensuring that employees are aware of key phrases the organization uses when referring to itself. It also means educating employees on the importance of an integrated communications strategy. This ensures they best represent the company when talking to customers or the public.

Organizing events

Another important part of a communication specialist’s day is organizing events. These events can range from fundraisers hosted by the company on behalf of a charity and public events designed to build relationships between the company and their customers. Above all, communications specialists are responsible for ensuring that these events are covered by media outlets and that the generate positive buzz around the company.

A diverse and exciting career, communications offers a lot of opportunities for growth while giving you the skills you need to succeed in your role.

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From covering breaking news to researching features, journalists have a lot of variety in their day-to-day work. If you’re thinking of becoming a journalist, you might be wondering what a day in the life of a journalist looks like. Are you likely to spend most of your time writing or will you be conducting a lot of interviews. The answer will depend on your specific role but most journalists do a combination of the following things:

Staying on top of news trends

Since journalism is all about what’s happening in the moment, one of the key parts of any journalist’s day is to stay on top of news trends by checking newswires such as the Associated Press or Reuters and social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. Doing this throughout the day allows journalists to come up with and editorial plan and assign reporters to stories that need to be covered.

Researching stories

Once a journalist has their assignment, they’re responsible for conducting in-depth research into the story. This includes identifying potential sources, fact checking numbers, dates and other important pieces of information and doing contextual research to find out related news items that should be referenced in the final piece.

Interviewing people

Another important part of a journalist’s day is to go out and interview people. This can include talking to voters outside of a polling station when covering an election, interviewing medical experts about a new advancement in medicine or chatting with a celebrity about their latest film. Whatever the context of the story, journalists are responsible for getting the information straight from the source and then synthesizing this information into a story that they can share with the public.

Writing and editing

After researching the story and conducting interviews, journalists spend time identifying the key points of the story and creating a structure for it. They then use the information they’ve gathered to add detail and color to the story and to make it as informative as possible before sending it to an editor for review and publication.

An exciting and challenging career path, journalism offers recent grads the opportunity to be at the frontline of breaking news while also helping them develop engaging storytelling skills. To find out if being a journalist is right for you, consider doing an internship with a news or media outlet.

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as Getting an Entry-Level Job With No Experience and find answers to common interview questions such as What’s Your Dream Job?

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Have you always been a natural writer? Do you love being persistent when talking to people? If you enjoy getting to the truth of a matter as well as putting in the work to research, write and edit stories about issues around the globe, the world of journalism may be for you.

What is a journalism major?

Majoring in journalism is a fast-paced endeavor, where you’ll be quickly learning the ins and outs of how to write a variety of different types of stories on many different topics. You’ll often be sent out into the field to work on your own, and you’ll have to come back with polished articles on quick, hard deadlines.

Is it right for me?

If the idea of getting to research, write and edit stories sounds great to you, here are several key questions to consider before you commit to majoring in journalism.

• Do I feel confident in my basic writing, research and editing skills?
• Am I someone who likes to spend lots of time fact-checking my work and making sure every detail is correct?
• Do I like reaching out to people (often through cold calls or emails) to interview them for a story? Am I persistent in following up with people to get what I want?
• Am I okay with not everyone liking a story I publish? How do I react to backlash?
• Am I able to handle and incorporate criticism and feedback from my professors and peers? Do I have a thick skin when it comes to my writing?
• Am I okay doing lots of my research, writing and editing by myself?
• Am I good at multitasking and working on multiple stories on a variety of topics at once?
• Will I dedicate myself to getting internships and jobs through college that will further my level of experience?

What can I do with a journalism degree?

Often people say that journalism is a dying field, but that can’t be further from the truth. While traditional print journalism might not be in the same place it was several decades ago, it is still relevant. Additionally, digital journalism has become more and more prevalent, and there are many different jobs out there for people with a journalism degree.

There are also many people with journalism degrees who work on the opposite side of the industry in public relations roles, pitching ideas and stories to journalists on behalf of clients.

Some potential career options include becoming a journalist, blogger, social media manager, broadcast journalist, communications manager, publicist, marketing manager, advertising copywriter, multimedia reporter, photographer and editor.

What do journalists earn?

Journalism is a field where salaries vary greatly based on where you’re located, what your official title is and the type of company you work for (for instance, a bootstrapped media startup versus and established magazine brand). Starting salaries typically run between $25,000 to $40,000 depending on those factors.

Many journalists also choose to go the freelance route, which affects your income from month to month. This doesn’t mean you can’t make a comfortable living; it just means that your salary won’t be consistent every single month, and some months may be tighter financially than others.

If you do choose to pursue a career in journalism rather than something like public relations or marketing, you’ll most likely be on the lower end of the salary spectrum, around $35,000 to $40,000 per year.

Next, learn more about this college major such as Accounting and get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as 10 Tips for the Perfect Cover Letter.

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For those majoring in journalism, there is no better way to explore potential career options than by taking on an internship. Internships for journalism majors are wide-ranging, giving you the hands-on experience you need and an in-depth look at the industry of your choice. Best of all, internships are a great way of getting one step closer to your dream job.

Here are some of the most common internships for journalism majors:

Journalism intern

As a journalism intern for a newspaper, magazine or a digital media property, you’ll learn how to produce engaging content that fits the style and tone of your publication. During your internship, you’ll take on projects such as conducting interviews, uploading website content and managing the company’s social media accounts. You may also be offered the opportunity to write articles which you can add to your portfolio. If you’re considering a career in journalism, this is the internship for you.

Editorial intern

An editorial internship is similar to a journalistic one except that it’s not always affiliated with a traditional publication. As an editorial intern, you might be hired by a PR company, a startup or a nonprofit to develop content for their website. During your internship, you’ll be responsible for writing content, sourcing photos and crafting posts that can be used across the company’s social channels. You’ll contribute to strategy designed to increase the organization’s internet presence. In addition to researching, writing, editing and creating outlines for new articles, you’ll also monitor feedback and statistics for blog posts and assist with SEO strategy. This is a great internship for anyone who wants to learn as much as possible about digital media and to develop solid editorial skills along the way.

Content marketing intern

A content marketing internship is perfect for journalism majors who are looking to work closely with marketing, advertising and PR teams. From writing content for the company’s website to organizing and researching information for the organization’s newsletter, you’ll be participating in most aspects of content marketing and sharpening your copywriting skills along the way. During your internship, you’ll also get a chance to research, outline and write blog posts relevant to your company’s target audience as well as writing press releases for new campaigns. This is a wonderful internship for anyone interesting in going into marketing after graduation.

Social media intern

As a social media intern, you’ll assist in crafting social media posts and monitor the impact of those posts across different social channels. You’ll also get hands-on experience with social media tools like Google Analytics and HootSuite, as well as learning how to use metrics to optimize campaigns. This is a great internship for journalism majors interested in developing creative social campaigns and engaging users in the process.

Copywriting intern

A copywriting internship is all about writing engaging material and maintaining good communication with your team. As a copywriting intern, you’ll gain hands-on experience writing brochures, reports and marketing materials. You’ll also assist with drafting and editing blog posts, news articles and website content. Last but not least, you’ll learn how to monitor marketing and media trends and modify your writing style to suit your audience. This a wonderful internship for anyone interested in advertising or marketing.

Broadcast intern

As a broadcast intern for a TV or radio station, you’ll get to observe the planning, operation and execution of a TV show, radio program or podcast. Your responsibilities could range from administrative duties like researching and fact-checking news stories to more advanced tasks like booking guests, developing scripts and putting together press releases. If you’re interested in learning about broadcasting, this could be the right internship for you.

Whether you’re interning at a famous digital media company or writing copy for a small tech startup, a journalism internship will give you the skills you need to succeed in your first job after graduation.

Next, learn more about this college major such as What is a Journalism Major and is it Right for Me? and get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as What is an Entry-Level Job?

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Do you enjoy talking to people and figuring out what makes them tick? Are you an outgoing person who is comfortable connecting with diverse groups of people and getting your message across effectively? If you answered yes to these questions, then being a communications major might just be for you.

What is a communications major?

A communications major is a major designed to teach you about effective communication and how to apply it to fields like media, law and business. Coursework for this major is very similar to coursework for related majors such as public relations, advertising and journalism. As a communications major, you’ll be taking a broad range of classes including marketing, sociology and business as well as more traditional communications classes like media studies and journalism.

Is it right for me?

Majoring in communications means having a broad understanding of how this field impacts others such as business and media. Here are some key questions to ask yourself before embarking on this major:

Do I feel confident in my writing and communication skills?
Do I like studying a broad range of subjects including sociology, psychology and media studies?
Am I able to handle and incorporate criticism and feedback from my professors and peers?
Am I good at multitasking and working on multiple projects and subjects at once?
Will I dedicate myself to getting internships and jobs through college that will further my level of experience?

What can I do with a communications major?

Since communications is a broad major with significant overlap to other majors, there are plenty of available career options. Some of the most common ones include:

• public relations
• journalism
• law
• marketing
• copywriting
• … and more

What do communications majors earn?

Salaries for communications majors are as varied as the career paths they take after graduation. While public relations specialists can expect to earn starting salaries between $40,000-$45,000, entry-level salaries for attorneys start at $55,000-$60,000 and quickly go up from there.

Next, learn more about this college major such as What is a Marketing Major and is it Right for Me? and get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as How to Answer: Are You Willing to Travel?.

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With their ability to communicate effectively in almost any situation, communications majors are some of the most sought after candidates in all sorts of professional fields. With so many opportunities available, you might be wondering how to find a job that’s a good fit for you. The best way to do that is through an internship where you can get exposure to a specific field or position.

Here are some of the best internships for communications majors:

Marketing intern

As a marketing intern, you’ll assist the marketing team with projects and find out how marketers help brands connect with their audience. During your internship, you’ll be taking on a number of tasks such as collaborating on blog post ideas, developing social media strategy and writing email copy. As a result, you’ll be gaining lots of hands-on experience and also getting exposed to all of the different elements involved in crafting a successful marketing campaign.

Editorial intern

From sharpening your SEO skills to shadowing an editorial meeting, an editorial internship can be a great and enriching experience. Depending on the type of company you intern with, you could be writing blog or news articles, learning how to research and fact-check news stories, or learning the ins and outs of copy editing and AP style.

Public relations intern

As a public relations intern, you’ll assist the PR team with campaign strategy, pitches and handling client relationships. You’ll also likely get to attend publicity events including sporting events and product launches. Best of all, you’ll learn the basics of writing a press release and assisting in the development of a full-scale PR campaign.

Content marketing intern

Content marketing internships give you direct exposure to drafting content for the company website, as well as copy for ads and blog posts. In addition, you’re likely to also get hands-on experience with other things such as managing social media accounts. Best of all, you’ll get to sit in meetings where ideas for new content are developed.

Social media intern

As a social media intern, you’ll engage your company’s followers, commenters and readers, while also attempting to grow the community. From coming up with funny memes to post on Instagram to crafting a great Snapchat story, a social media internship is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about engagement and about how to use social media as a powerful tool for business.

Copywriting Intern

As a copywriting intern, you’ll be trained in researching, drafting and editing copy for all types of content including blog posts, news articles and email campaigns. You’ll also learn how to match your writing style to a specific brand and fine-tune your copywriting skills. This internship is a great opportunity to get a feel for what’s required to thrive as a full-time copywriter.

Broadcast intern

A broadcast internship is a wonderful opportunity to learn the ins and out of working for a TV or radio station. From shadowing staff to fact-checking, researching and assisting with different aspects of production, you’ll be getting exposure to the whole world of broadcasting. Best of all, internship experience in broadcasting is essential and valued when it comes to applying for full-time jobs in the field after graduation.

In addition to the critical skills communications majors develop during college, they also benefit from the more specialized hands-on experience that can only result from an internship. By taking on one or more internships during your time in college, you’ll be able to learn more about your options and find a career path that’s right for you.

Next, learn more about this college major such as What is a Communications Major and is it Right for Me? and get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as Top 10 Things You Should Look for In an Internship.

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If you’re a marketing or communications major, then you’re probably considering a career in public relations. Even if you’re not majoring in one of these subjects, you may be wondering about what working in the PR industry entails and whether it could be a good fit for you.

Here are some of the key things you need to know about working in public relations.

What is public relations?

Public relations is an area of communications that focuses on shaping and managing the public profile of a company or individual. As the public face of a particular brand, PR professionals are responsible for defining the story behind that brand and then making the story compelling to a broader audience. This is usually done by developing various campaigns (such as events, contests and social media strategies) designed to help promote the client’s story and engage a specific audience.

What do public relations professionals do?

Public relations professionals are essentially brand ambassadors, helping to promote the brands they represent and to establish strong relationships between clients and their audiences. The day-to-day role of PR specialists can look quite different depending on whether they’re representing multiple clients at an agency or whether they’re based in-house at a specific company, but most PR executives typically do a mix of the following things:

1. Build relationships with journalists and pitch stories related to the clients they represent.
2. Write press releases promoting a specific product or news item related to their clients.
3. Manage relationships with clients to ensure that they understand their specific publicity needs and can strategize accordingly.
4. Track and report the results of PR campaigns and optimize campaigns based on those metrics.

Pro Tip: PR roles can vary widely depending on whether you work for a small firm or a large one. At a small firm (or on an in-house team) you’re likely to be much more focused on a specific campaign or an aspect of a campaign, whereas at a large firm you’re more likely to be managing several accounts at once and to be executing strategies for all of those brands simultaneously.

What are the challenges of working in public relations?

Since public relations is a fast-moving industry, one of the main challenges PR professionals face is staying ahead of the news cycle. This involves keeping a close eye on breaking news stories (and media trends) and capitalizing on those stories when they come up. In order to do this effectively, you have to be able to think quickly since you’ll typically need to send pitches to journalists within the same day (and often the same hour) of a news story breaking. A related challenge is that you cannot control the news cycle. Although you might have a great story lined up, a breaking news story could take precedence at any time, bumping your story for several days (or sometimes indefinitely). You might also find yourself sending out pitches repeatedly without getting a response, something that happens frequently in public relations.

In addition to staying on top of news trends, one of the other challenges PR specialists face is dealing with crises. Since public relations is all about maintaining the public image of a brand, PR specialists are often the front line of defense against crises related to legal issues, technical problems and even natural disasters. To be able to handle these situations effectively, PR firms are tasked with coming up with strategies to tackle these types of crises. If and when these issues do come up, it’s a PR rep’s job to handle them gracefully, with the brand’s best interests in mind.

What are the benefits of working in public relations?

Although public relations can be quite challenging at times, there are also many benefits to working in this industry. For example, PR reps are often invited to attend charity and press events on behalf of the brands they represent and are able to network with journalists and executives across almost every industry. In addition to great networking opportunities, PR professionals also have the opportunity to learn a lot about various industries (including popular industries like entertainment, technology and fashion), which can open up all sorts of career paths, both within PR and beyond it. By getting an in-depth view of how specific industries work and what it takes to succeed in those industries, PR professionals are able to truly match their skills with their passions.

What is a typical public relations professional salary?

Public relations is both an exciting field and a lucrative one. Entry-level salaries for PR professionals typically start at around $42,000 and go up from there. Account executives with one to two years of experience generally earn between $50-60,000 and senior professionals such as executive vice presidents can earn upwards of $180,000.

An exciting and challenging field, public relations offers candidates wonderful exposure to great brands and new industries. The best way to find out if working in public relations is right for you is by taking on an internship and getting a hands-on feel for the industry.

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as How to Be a Team Player and find answers to common interview questions such as What’s Your Dream Job?

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The field of public relations offers a lot of exciting opportunities for recent grads who are interested in learning about media relations and enthusiastic about helping companies promote their brands. If you’re considering a career in public relations, you might be wondering about the different types of PR jobs and trying to get a sense of which one is right for you.

Here are some of the most common roles within public relations.

Publicist

A publicist is typically the role people think of when they think of a PR professional. Based either an agency or on an in-house team, publicists work directly with clients to help develop and execute their brand strategy. They are also responsible for coming up with publicity campaigns and identifying the best ways for clients to promote their brands to the press and to their customers. Many publicists also work with celebrities to promote their personal brands and professional projects.

Copywriter

Another role that can be part of an agency or in-house team, a copywriter is responsible for writing publicity and marketing materials on behalf of clients. This can include everything from press releases to blog posts and is usually done in accordance with a public relations strategy created by the PR team. In addition to writing different types of copy, copywriters are also responsible for maintaining a consistent brand voice and identity across multiple channels at the same time.

PR specialist

Acting as the first point of contact for media outlets, a PR specialist is responsible for generating positive press coverage for clients by developing relationships with journalists and coming up with relevant story pitches. In order for these pitches to be successful, they have to serve two functions: 1) They need to resonate with journalists by being newsworthy items and 2) They need to represent the client in a positive light.

Social media manager

A social media manager is another potential role on a public relations team. This position can be based either at an agency (working on multiple client accounts) or an in-house team (managing the social channels of a particular company). Working to promote the brand on various social media channels such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, the social media manager is responsible for creating engaging content, interacting with the brand’s community and measuring the success of various campaigns.

Spokesperson

Acting as the face of the brand, the spokesperson is responsible for making statements on behalf of the company. This role is generally part of an in-house communications or PR team and is tasked with handling interview requests, making TV appearances and responding to any criticism the company might face.

The world of PR offers many great opportunities for those interested in developing exceptional communication skills and helping companies to build and maintain their public images. The best way to know which of these opportunities is right for you is by taking on an internship and getting some hands-on experience.

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as the Top 10 Things You Should Look For in a Company and find answers to common interview questions such as What Are Your Strengths?

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Public relations is an exciting field with plenty of career opportunities for recent grads. If you’re interested in getting started in PR, you might be wondering about the best way to get your foot in the door. Should you attend networking events or try to land an internship at a PR agency? Ideally, you’ll want to do both.

Here are the steps you need to follow in order to become a public relations specialist.

1. Decide where your PR passion lies

Are you interested in working with several different companies or are you more passionate about getting really in-depth knowledge of one specific company? Your answer will help determine which direction you want your PR career to take. For example, if you’re interested in working with multiple brands and getting a high-level view of several different industries, then working at an agency might be the best bet for you. On the other hand, if you’re more interested in getting really hands-on knowledge of a specific industry, then working on an in-house PR team might be a better fit.

Pro Tip: If you’re not sure which direction you want to take, we recommend taking on an internship at a PR agency. This will give you a great overview of the different types of accounts PR specialists work on while also giving you the hands-on experience you need to succeed in the industry.

2. Build your skill set by taking relevant classes

At its core, public relations is about storytelling and one of the keys to working in PR is being able to define and promote the stories of the brands you work with. In order to do this effectively, you need to have strong communication skills and a solid understanding of media and marketing trends. To build your skill set, we recommend taking relevant classes such as communications, marketing and media studies. These will help you develop your knowledge of the media industry while also giving you great insights into how to really engage an audience.

Pro Tip: Another way of developing your skills is by taking on a freelance project or creating a brand of your own. This doesn’t necessarily have to be a big project, but it should demonstrate that you understand how to create a brand identity. For example, if you’re interested in fashion as well as public relations, you could start a fashion blog and create a brand strategy around it. Although taking on this type of project is not necessary for landing a PR job, showing that you can take initiative and develop and execute a PR strategy will go a long way toward impressing hiring managers.

3. Take on a PR internship

Another great way to build your skill set is by taking on a PR internship. This will give you hands-on experience of working with clients and help you get a sense of what types of brands and industries you’d most like to work with. Depending on the type of internship you decide to do, you could be working on developing brand strategy, supporting account executives with managing client accounts, writing press releases, managing social channels and more. Taking on an internship is a great way to not only add valuable experience to your resume but to also get a sense of what you really want to do with your PR career.

4. Know what to expect from the interview process

Interviewing for a job in public relations involves showing that you’re informed about the industry and passionate about working with clients to help define and promote their stories. Common questions you’re likely to encounter include “What does public relations mean to you?” and “What is your favorite brand and why?” These questions are designed to test your understanding of branding and marketing techniques and to get a sense of your true interest in public relations. In order to answer them effectively, it’s important to demonstrate that you’re truly enthusiastic about the field and eager to learn more about helping brands succeed.

5. Network, network, network

One of the keys to landing a job in any industry is networking and this is especially important when it comes to public relations. This is because PR relies on building relationships between brands, journalists and audiences in order to deliver results. To do this successfully, it’s important to work on developing strong relationships with colleagues and journalists by attending networking events and meetups, and connecting with others on professional platforms such as LinkedIn.

Working in public relations is an exciting opportunity to promote brands you’re truly passionate about. By following these tips and developing your experience and your network, you’ll be sure to find an opportunity that’s right for you.

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as How to Write a Cover Letter and find answers to common interview questions such as Why Do You Want to Work Here?

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There are few items more closely associated with the communications industry than press releases – it’s important for people interested in the field or new to a communications job to understand the purpose of a press release and to know how to write one.

Here are some tips for writing a great press release:

The purpose of a press release

Organizations use press releases to relay important announcements to key audiences, including investors, consumers and the media.

How to send out a press release

Organizations or their representatives can send press releases directly to key stakeholders or through services such as PR Newswire or Business Wire, which specialize in press release distribution.

Key points to consider when writing a press release

The following points are important to remember when writing a press release:

1. This is not a creative exercise. Writing a press release is not an opportunity to experiment with flowery prose or lay out personal opinions. As a piece of business writing, you should employ clear, concise language. People who read a press release should be able to quickly and fully understand the announcement.
2. Cover the 5 W’s. A reader should walk away understanding the 5 W’s – Who, What, When, Where and Why – whenever relevant. Who is responsible for this new corporate segment? What will happen as a result of this announcement? When will this event take place or this change be implemented? Where will certain meetings take place? Why is this change or event occurring?
3. Skip the jargon. While it’s sometimes impossible to completely avoid financial or legal language in a corporate press release, investors, consumers and the media all need to be able to understand what the release actually states.
4. Keep it concise. A press release tends to be between 3-5 paragraphs, though the length can vary depending on the information you need to include.

Why press releases are still relevant

Despite the rise in corporate social media accounts and digital media, a standard press release is still a key tool in business. Press releases remain a valuable and reliable source of information for investors, consumers and the media. Additionally, press releases are often the core building block for other forms of communication – a company might link to a press release in a tweet, or use language from a press release in a video of a CEO, a letter to employees, or on a call with investors and analysts.

What to do after sending a press release

The next steps following a press release vary based on the goal. Is an organization launching a new initiative that it wants the public to be aware of? In that case, it makes sense to follow up with media interviews to broadcast the company’s message.

Press releases tend to follow this dependable template:

Headline Describing the Main Point
Subhead Providing Additional Detail or Describing Secondary Announcement

CITY, State, Date – Opening paragraph providing clear announcement.

Quote from CEO or other organizational leader offering support or rationale for the announcement.

Paragraph providing additional details.

About [Organization Name]

Boilerplate description of the organization.

Contact

Contact Name
Title / Organization Name
Telephone
E-Mail

Once you have the template filled in, the finished product will highlight all of the key parts of your announcement in an engaging and compelling way.

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as How to Be a Team Player and find answers to common interview questions such as What Motivates You?

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Wonder how social groups came to be and want to understand the forces affecting our culture today? A sociology major may be for you.

What is a sociology major?

The “official” definition for sociology is that it’s the study of institutions; however, that’s a pretty vague idea. To go more in-depth, sociology looks at how groups of people behave and how they interact with society as a whole.

In sociology classes, you’ll tackle broad social theory and general concepts of human behavior in your introductory classes before getting to study specific groups, places or units. For example, you may take a class on the sociology of the family, where you’ll talk about what it means to be part of a family unit both historically and in the present-day. Then, you’ll connect other topics to your discussions. For instance, how do laws regulating family planning change how families operate? If people are getting married later, how does that affect family structure?

What is the difference between sociology, psychology and anthropology?

Many people wonder what the difference is between psychology and sociology. While the two are definitely linked (and often students may double-major in both or major in one while minoring in the other), psychology focuses on the behavior of the individual, whereas sociology focuses on the behavior of groups.

People have similar questions about sociology versus anthropology. Anthropology studies the history of the behavior of humans, so there’s definitely an added component of what the past tells us about the present.

Is It right for me?

Before you take on a sociology major, here are some key questions to ask yourself:

• Am I a strong reader and writer? Do I look forward to reading and interpreting both original texts and the theories of others in the field?
• Am I open-minded? How do I react if people in class make a statement or argument I don’t agree with?
• Do I take criticism and feedback well? Will I be phased if a peer or professor disagrees with me?
• Am I excited to do field work that requires me to spend many hours surveying a group of people, analyzing the data, and presenting it?
• Am I willing to take on a longer research project, like a capstone or thesis?

What can I do with a sociology degree?

Some may be perplexed as to what can be done with a sociology degree, but by studying such a broad topic and also having the opportunity to concentrate, sociology majors are able to work in a variety of fields.

A small sampling of positions that sociology majors have gone on to include:

• Professor
• Community organizer
• Educator
• Activist
• Politician
• Political scientist
• Non-profit aid worker
• Social worker

What do people who majored in sociology earn?

While it certainly doesn’t apply to all sociology majors, many go into careers of public service or aid work, which means salaries won’t necessarily be high. Starting salaries range anywhere from $25,000-$40,000. However, many of these former sociology majors find their work meaningful and life-changing, which can mean even more than a paycheck.

Next, learn more about this college major such as What Types of Skills Are Best for a Sociology Major? and get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as Should I Intern as a College Freshman?

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Before you dive in and start surveying populations, there are some things you need to know about becoming a sociology major. Here are the most important skills you’ll need in order to be successful in this major.

Reading and writing skills

Sociology requires a great deal of reading. As part of your major, you’ll have to read both original texts as well as critiques of ideas from other academics and people in the space. To be successful as a sociology major, you’ll have to not just read these texts but annotate and understand them as well.

Additionally, sociology majors write plenty of reading responses, research papers and other reports, so you’ll need to have a clear and concise writing style to present your ideas.

Critical thinking skills

In sociology, you’ll be thinking and talking about complex problems that will require you to give serious critiques and arguments. Nothing in sociology should ever be taken at face value, so you’ll have to be sure to think critically in the classroom.

Communication skills

While your introductory sociology classes may be lecture-style, as you take more and more classes, you’ll be in smaller classroom settings where you’ll have to present your ideas to a group of peers.

The best sociology majors are those who come prepared for class, have thought about their ideas and arguments and can present them in a thoughtful and articulate manner. If you want to thrive in this major, strong communication skills are a must.

Research skills

Having strong research skills is also critical for sociology majors. Since sociology requires you to survey populations by creating your own experiments, understanding how to structure an experiment and write up the results is a key factor in being able to succeed in this major.

Open-mindedness and patience

Sociology classes often discuss a number of emotionally charged topics, from racial discrimination to family planning. Regardless of where you go to school, you’re guaranteed to find someone in a sociology class whose argument you find disagreeable or even offensive.

Sociology majors need to be open-minded to the ideas of their peers to figure out what they came to those conclusions. But they also need to know when to pick their battles and the mediums through which to present their arguments.

Next, learn more about this college major such as What is a Sociology Major and is It Right for Me? and get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as Top 10 Things You Should Look For In An Internship.

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Being a journalism major is a great way to build communication and storytelling skills. These skills that can be applied to any number of professional industries and having them will make you a competitive candidate in whatever career you choose to pursue. If you’ve already taken on a journalism internship during your time in college, then you know that a journalism degree can open up the door to plenty of career opportunities.

Here are some of the most common entry-level jobs for journalism majors:

Reporter

As a reporter, your primary responsibilities will be to researching and report on news stories. In this role, you’ll be conducting interviews, writing articles, fact-checking and networking. If you enjoy knowing about news stories right as they happen and are comfortable working with tight deadlines, this role could be a perfect fit for you.

Editorial Assistant

As an editorial assistant, you’ll be putting your speaking and writing skills to use. In this role, you’ll assist in all stages of the publishing process from helping to get stories commissioned to ensuring that writers submit their work on time. This is a role that can vary greatly depending on whether you’re working at a publishing house, a print magazine, a gossip website or a company newsletter but regardless of the publication you’re working for, you’ll be helping to curate content that is relevant to that publication. To succeed in this role, you’ll need excellent organizational skills, attention-to-detail and a passion for learning the ins and outs of publishing and digital media.

Copy editor

A copy editor plays a crucial role in the production of any print or digital publication and is responsible for ensuring that the final copy does not contain any typos or grammatical errors. As a copy editor, you’ll be on the lookout for omissions and inconsistencies in the articles you edit, as well as ensuring that the content you’re working with adheres to the particular style of the publication you’re working on. This is a wonderful role for anyone who is detail-oriented and passionate about showcasing great stories in the best possible light.

Digital Content Writer

As a digital content writer, you’ll be working with the editorial and creative higher-ups to bring marketing campaigns and strategies to life. You’ll also contribute to SEO-friendly content and develop ideas for future marketing content. This is a perfect role for a good communicator who is interested in writing engaging content.

Communications Coordinator

Your journalism major can also come in handy when it comes to landing a role as a communications coordinator, a role that involves coordinating a company’s promotional materials and social media activity, as well as building and maintaining relationships with media outlets. From writing press releases to organizing and overseeing promotional events, a communications coordinator strengthens the communication between the client, the company’s customers and the media. This is a great role for anyone interested in helping companies develop their public presence.

Being a journalism major will give you the skills you need to become a competitive candidate in almost any industry. The key to finding an entry-level job that works for you is knowing what you’re passionate about and what you can expect from the role. By having a solid understanding of some of the most common job opportunities for journalism majors, you’ll be one step closer to landing your dream job.

Next, learn more about this college major such as What is a Journalism Major and is it Right for Me? and get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as 6 Ways to Impress Your Boss.

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Being a communications major means learning all about the best ways to communicate effectively and help brands get their message across. And because these skills can be applied to multiple industries, communications majors are in high demand in almost every industry. If you’ve already learned about the most popular types of internships for communications majors, then you might be wondering what comes next. Are there just as many opportunities after graduation? The answer is yes.

Here are some of the best entry-level jobs for communications majors:

Marketing coordinator

As a marketing coordinator, you’ll develop marketing materials and assist with both internal and external communications. You’ll also help coordinate timelines and goals for the executive team and assist with their implementation. This is a job that requires a sound knowledge of marketing models, and even better communication and leadership skills.

Client services representative

A client services representative acts as an intermediary for the company and its clients, assisting the client with transactions, setting up meetings and ensuring customer satisfaction. In this position, you’ll be communicating with the client on behalf of the company, relaying important messages and ensuring a smooth working relationship.

Public relations assistant

As a public relations assistant, you’ll coordinate and review press releases, and help organize publicity events, campaigns and presentations geared towards maintaining a positive image for a company or brand. You might work on multiple projects, or in multiple capacities, often in a fast-paced environment that keeps you on your toes.

Editorial assistant

As an editorial assistant, you’ll coordinate editorial timelines ensuring that workflow between writers and editors is smooth and efficient. As part of your tasks, you’ll be communicating with writers to provide their assignments and following up to ensure that they submit on time. In smaller companies, you might also take on writing tasks, utilizing both your writing and administrative abilities.

Associate brand manager

As an associate brand manager, you’ll conduct initial market research and position the product you’re promoting in relation to similar products on the market. You’ll also develop marketing strategies aimed to increase the brand’s reach to its target audience. This position requires a solid understanding of the brand you’re promoting and its value in the marketplace.

Social media coordinator

As a social media coordinator, you’ll do more than just post to Facebook and Instagram. You’ll also interact with the brand’s online community, analyze the reach of different kinds of media and optimize social media campaigns for individual platforms. As the digital voice of the brand, you’ll be helping social media managers engage the brand’s audience effectively and learning how to capitalize on media trends along the way.

Irrespective of the field they choose to work in, communications majors play an important role in maintaining relationships between businesses and consumers, communicating with those audiences and presenting information. They get the message out there, resolve problems and analyze feedback. With all of those skills at their fingertips, it’s no wonder that communications majors are so sought after in workforce.

Next, learn more about this college major such as What is a Communications Major and is it Right for Me? and get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as Tell Me About an Accomplishment That You’re Most Proud Of.

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A fast-paced and exciting career, working in communications is a great way for recent grads to learn about the field of communications while helping companies get their message across effectively. If you’re considering a position as a communications specialist, you might be wondering whether the role might be a good fit for you.

Here are some of the key things you need to know about working in communications.

What is a communications specialist?

Similar to a public relations specialist, a communications specialist is responsible for building and maintaining relationships between the company or brand they represent and the outside world. Depending on their role, communications specialists may also be responsible for managing communications within the organization itself including crafting company-wide newsletters, creating brand awareness programs and getting feedback from employees about the company’s communications strategy.

What does a communications specialist do?

In addition to working on internal communications strategies and branding programs, communications specialists also act as the public face of the brand. Working either with PR specialists or on their own, they are responsible for responding to media requests, crafting press releases and even managing events on behalf of the company.

What are the challenges of working in communications?

Being a communications specialist certainly does come with its share of challenges. These include having to perform “damage control” in any instance where the company gets bad publicity, being able to ensure consistent messaging across all communications materials and generally being able to balance all of the different tasks involved. In addition to these challenges, communications specialists are also sometimes called upon to handle problems with the organization or with external third parties and they must ensure that they keep their cool while always representing the company in the best possible light.

What are the benefits of working in communications?

Although this job definitely has its share of challenges, it also has a lot of benefits. These include establishing great relationships with the public and the media, liaising with thought leaders in one or more fields and and organizing high-profile events that are likely to generate attention for the company. This is a great way to gain exposure to various areas of the communications and media industries, while building a solid reputation and a strong professional network.

What is the typical salary of a communications specialist?

A typical entry-level salary for a communications specialist is around $45,000 with senior communications specialists earning a median salary of $75,000 and directors earning anywhere from $75,000 – $120,000, depending on location and experience.

From handling media requests to working on internal communications for the company, being a communications specialist has a lot to offer recent grads. The best way to find out if being a communications specialist is right for you is to get a hands-on feel for the role by doing an internship.

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as 3 Ways to Be More Productive at Work and find answers to common interview questions such as What Are You Passionate About?

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While being a sociology major might seem like a broad course of study, the great thing about this major is that it helps you build a diverse skill set and prepares you for a number of different careers including politics, social work and education. And because of its broad scope, it also allows you to understand the social implications of your work and to seek out opportunities that align with your passions.

Some of the most common career fields for sociology majors include:

Social work

Sociology majors are usually people who are dedicated to helping others and making the world a better place, so they will often turn to social work as a means of making that happen. And since they have a solid understanding of the complex issues affecting the people they work with, sociology majors can be especially effective in this type of role.

Politics

Because they desire change, many sociology majors also work in politics, either trying to enact change as policymakers or working behind the scenes to get politicians elected or to promote causes and bring them to the attention of influential figures.

Activism

After seeing the big problems society is dealing with, many sociology majors turn to activism as a way of effecting change on a large scale. Activism comes in many forms, including working for a nonprofit that specializes in promoting a particular cause or becoming an advocate in Washington D.C.

Journalism

Sociology can also be a great foundation for a journalism career. By doing field work and analyzing data, you’ll learn how to find subjects, approach them and get the information you want. Additionally, sociology gives you exposure to a variety of societal problems and this can help you figure out your journalistic focus. For instance, if you’ve taken lots of criminal justice courses in college, writing for the crime beat is an easy transition.

Academia

Many sociology majors go on to become experts in a particular group or type of behavior. For instance, a professor could focus on social movements and how they have and haven’t changed over time. Another professor could study something as specific as rap music over the course of the 1990s and what that means for society today.

Law

On many occasions, incensed by the huge societal problems at hand, sociology majors will turn to the legal profession as a way of making an impact. While some choose to go to law school to become lawyers, others decide to become paralegals, probation officers or investigators. All of these positions are a critical part of the criminal justice system and a natural fit for those who are passionate about social issues.

Education

Sociology majors also go into education in the hopes of making a difference in the lives of both young people and adults. While secondary and postsecondary education (high school and college) are the most popular teaching areas, sociology majors can be found in teaching positions across all grade levels. In many cases, young graduates may turn to teaching nonprofits (for example, Teach For America) to become certified educators.

Whether it’s exploring compelling opportunities within the legal profession or discovering the exciting world of journalism, being a sociology major can open up the door to many different careers. The best way to find out which one is right for you is by taking on an internship and seeing which type of career fits your interests.

Next, learn more about this college major such as What is a Sociology Major and is it Right for Me? and get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as What is an Interview?

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A popular career path for those interested in writing and digital media, journalism offers recent grads the opportunity to learn about all aspects of news-focused writing in areas including politics, travel and lifestyle. If you’re considering becoming a journalist, you might be wondering what this career path entails and whether it could be a good fit for you.

Here are some of the key things you need to know about being a journalist.

What is a journalist?

Working for a newspaper, magazine or news outlet, a journalist is someone who reports on current events by gathering relevant information and then presenting that information to the public. Depending on their specialty, journalists can be writers, TV reporters, photo or video journalists, each using their specific medium to craft engaging stories that resonate with the public while delivering important information.

What does a journalist do?

From covering the latest news at New York Fashion Week to reporting on presidential elections, journalists are responsible for identifying topics that are important to the public and then coming up with well-researched stories on those topics. A broad field that covers many specialist areas — including technology, politics, breaking news, entertainment and lifestyle — journalism is essentially a form of storytelling based on facts and information.

What are the challenges of being a journalist?

A notoriously fast-paced field, journalism definitely has some challenges. These include long hours (after all, news never sleeps), high competition for jobs and a constantly-shifting media landscape that requires journalists to consistently learn about new technologies and new forms of reporting. In addition to these challenges, journalism is also not a very high-paid profession — at least not in the beginning — meaning that journalists often work long hours without much financial reward.

What are the benefits of being a journalist?

Although journalism definitely has its fair share of challenges, it also has a lot of benefits including the excitement of being among the first to know when a big news story is about to break, the potential to travel in order to cover a story and the chance to meet exciting and interesting people from all over the world.

What is a typical salary for a journalist?

A typical entry-level journalist salary is approximately $36,000, with senior reporters typically earning upwards of $70,000 and senior-level editors — such as managing editors and executive editors — earning upwards of $90,000.

An exciting and rapidly evolving field, journalism has a lot to offer recent grads. The best way to find out if being a journalist is right for you is by doing an internship and getting a hands-on feel for the role.

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as How to Set Great Internship or Job Goals and find answers to common interview questions such as What Motivates You?

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An intriguing field with plenty of career opportunities, the field of communications has a lot to offer recent grads. If you’re interested in becoming a communications specialist, you might be wondering about the best way to get started. Should you look for an internship or attend networking events? Ideally, you’ll want to do both with a few other things mixed in.

Here are the steps you need to follow in order to become a communications specialist.

1. Decide what area of communications you’re interested in

Like the field of public relations, communications focuses on building and maintaining relationships between a company and the public (including customers, the media and industry thought leaders). However, unlike public relations, communications is a broader field which also includes creating internal communication strategies and training programs for specific companies. In order to give yourself the best chance of success in the field, it’s important to research the different type of communications you’re most interested in. For example, if the idea of being the public face of a company appeals to you, then a role on an external communications team could be a good fit. On the other hand, if you think you’d rather work to build communications policies within the company, then an internal communications role might be a better choice.

Pro Tip: If you’re not sure what each type of role entails, reach out to people who work in the industry — either from your own network or from your school’s alumni network — and ask to set up a 15 minute chat so that you can find out more about the roles and decide which one is most appealing to you.

2. Develop your skill set by taking relevant classes

In addition to learning about the field itself, it’s also important to develop your skill set by taking relevant classes and working on independent projects. Good classes to take include those that fall under the umbrella of a communications major — such as marketing, sociology and business classes. These will give you a better understanding of the field as well as helping you to develop useful skills like crafting press releases.

Pro Tip: If you’re interested in more than one subject, consider taking on a double major or minor to help you learn about communications while also giving you the chance to explore other subjects.

3. Intern with a communications agency

Internships are another great way to learn new skills and get hands-on experience and interning with a communications agency is a great way to gain exposure to all the different aspects of a communications position. During your internship, you’ll attend strategy meetings, create materials for distribution and learn how to handle media enquiries. Best of all, you’ll get a sense of how all of these different tasks fit together to create an integrated communications plan.

4. Grow your professional network

One of the best things to do in any industry is to grow your professional network. When it comes to communications, this is especially important since you’ll frequently liaise with journalists and customers, as well as working closely with other communications professionals. The best way to do this is by reaching out to your network of friends, professors and peers and identifying those people who have direct experience in the field. Beyond that, it’s also a great idea to stay in touch with former co-workers and managers from your previous jobs. Since communications is a tight-knit field, they’re likely to know about new opportunities as they come up and they can help connect you with hiring managers for those roles.

Working in communications is an exciting opportunity to be both the public face and internal core of a company. By following these tips, you’ll be sure to find an opportunity that’s right for you.

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as 5 Tips for Getting an Entry-Level Job Unrelated to Your Major and find answers to common interview questions such as Why Do You Want to Work Here?

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Because sociology is such a broad field, sociology majors end up working in a variety of different industries including politics, law and social work. Not sure which field is right for you? An internship is a great way to explore your options and build your skill set while gaining some professional experience.

Here are just a few of the most common internships for sociology majors:

Political intern

Many nonprofits and legislative offices have a political intern who is dedicated to helping the political team with legislation, policy and any other related tasks. As a political intern, your duties may include sitting in on hearings held by your city or state government, drafting campaigns related to specific policies, creating policy recommendations and writing notes and briefings.

Development intern

For sociology majors who choose to work in the nonprofit world, many will find themselves focusing on helping causes gain traction and raise money. As a development intern, you’ll help your organization discover donors, raise money, keep in contact with loyal donors and apply for grants.

Social work intern

As a social work intern, you’ll work at a nonprofit to support its full-time social work staff. Depending on what type of organization you work for, your responsibilities may include becoming an advocate for a particular client or case, creating notes and briefings for case files and assisting clients in the office.

Legal intern

Whether you’re working for a nonprofit, a law firm or a government agency, being a legal intern allows you to sit in on client meetings and cases, create important briefings and keep case files organized. You’ll also get to take your learnings and apply them to a specific field or a particular problem, allowing you to really make an impact in a meaningful way.

Research intern

If you want to go to grad school or work in a research-related field, every bit of research experience you can add to your resume will make a big difference. Regardless of whether you work at an academic institution or a nonprofit, this internship will help you learn the basics of collecting, cleaning and organizing data for statistical analysis. You’ll also get to create reports from your findings and learn how to gain valuable insights by interpreting those reports.

From knowing the details behind every case file to understanding how to write a grant proposal, an internship is a wonderful and safe space for sociology majors to explore their options, learn new skills and reinvent themselves.

Next, learn more about this college major such as What Types of Skills Are Best for a Sociology Major? and get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as What is a Panel Interview?

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An exciting and fast-paced career, journalism is a great fit for recent grads who are interested in current events and passionate about storytelling. If you’re considering a career as a journalist, then you’re probably wondering how to get started. For example, is there anything you can do to hone your writing skills and get employers to notice you? Absolutely!

Here are the steps to take if you want to become a journalist.

Earn your bachelor’s degree

One of the keys to starting a career in journalism is earning your bachelor’s degree. Depending on the type of journalism you want to pursue (for example, investigative journalism or broadcast journalism), you should pick a major that will help you learn about that specific type of journalism while also giving you a sense of the broader journalistic landscape. Majors to consider include journalism, communications and English.

Pro Tip: If you’re interested in reporting on a particular subject, such as politics or technology, consider taking on a double major or a minor. This will help you develop specialist knowledge of your subject while also giving your the reporting skills you need to succeed in the field.

Develop your writing skills

In addition to getting your bachelor’s degree, it’s important to hone your writing skills by writing extensively across a broad range of subjects. There are two great ways to do this: 1) By starting a blog where you can develop your voice as a writer and 2) By pitching and writing articles on a freelance basis. This will help you build up your portfolio while also helping you grow your professional network.

Pro Tip: Creating a personal website is another good way to showcase your work and establish an online presence. This is quick and easy to set up with templates like those found in WordPress and Squarespace and will make you stand out from the crowd when it’s time to find a job.

Establish connections with reporters and editors

Networking is important in any field and it’s especially important in communications-focused fields like journalism that rely on strong professional networks. The best way to approach networking is by reaching out to reporters and editors you admire and asking them to set up a time to chat (either on the phone or in person). Once you connect with them, tell them a bit about your experience and professional goals and ask them for any advice that can help you get started.

Pro Tip: Always follow up after a meeting or phone call to let the person know that you appreciate their time and that you found value in the meeting. This is a great way to keep the relationship going and to develop a long-term connection.

Intern with a newspaper, magazine or media company

An important step in any journalism career, an internship will help you gain exposure to the field while also giving you a feel for what a the day-to-day life of a journalist looks like. As an intern, you’ll be fact-checking stories, collaborating on story ideas and and maybe even helping with the final editing before the piece gets published.

With new publications continuing to pop up on an almost daily basis, the field of journalism has many opportunities for recent grads. By following these steps, you’ll be sure to set yourself up for success as you begin your career as a journalist.

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as How to Use Social Media to Network Online and find answers to common interview questions such as Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?

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