You are ready for a change. You have been a communications professional for a few years, but you have an itch to move up to greater challenges and a higher salary.
You would love to go back to school, but cost concerns and family responsibilities have kept you from taking a couple of years to earn a graduate degree. So, you’ve been investigating online programs such as the Master of Science (M.S.) in Strategic Communications – General from Arkansas State University (A-State) for their affordability and shorter completion times. And now you know it’s not only possible, but convenient and flexible.
Here are just a few of the lucrative career paths available to you upon graduation.
Strategic Communications Offers Many Opportunities
Employment of media and communications professionals will grow by roughly 151,500 new jobs (14%) from 2020 to 2030, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Glassdoor notes that advanced degrees such as an online M.S. in strategic communications may make you “a more competitive applicant when applying for jobs.” This competitive edge can be extremely important when pursuing high-earning positions such as corporate communications director or vice president of communications.
Consider these five jobs available to those with an advanced communications degree:
- Advertising and Promotions Managers develop strategies to promote products and services, according to BLS’ Occupational Outlook Handbook. Job duties include working on budgets, contracts and marketing plans; selecting advertising media; planning promotional and advertising campaigns; initiating market research studies; and analyzing findings to understand customer and market opportunities. BLS reports that the median annual wage for managers in advertising, promotions and related services was $133,380 in May 2021, and the field is expected to grow 10% through 2030.
- Public Relations Managers head teams that develop plans to enhance the public image of their employer or client. Job duties include identifying target audiences and developing strategy as to how to best reach them; aiding clients in effective communications; building a positive corporate image and identity for their client or organization; and designing advertising and promotion programs. In May 2021, the median annual wage for public relations managers (categorized along with fundraising managers) was $119,860, BLS reports. Employment is projected to grow 13% through 2030.
- Marketing Managers determine the demand for new products and identify potential customers. According to BLS, job duties include developing “pricing strategies with the goal of maximizing the firm’s profits or share of the market while ensuring the firm’s customers are satisfied.” They also oversee product development, monitor market trends and design and execute marketing strategy. BLS reports that the median annual wage in May 2021 for marketing managers was $135,030.
- Market Research Analysts determine the potential success of a product or service by researching the demand, target audience and appropriate pricing for that product or service. Job duties include keeping current on marketing and sales trends; judging the effectiveness of marketing strategy and campaigns; creating methods for collecting and analyzing data on consumers, competitors and market conditions; and representing that analysis in forms that help clients improve marketing strategy. According to BLS, the median annual wage for these professionals in May 2021 was $63,920, and employment is projected to grow 22% through 2030, much faster than the average of all occupations.
- Social Media Managers specialize in advertising, promotions, marketing and direct engagement via social media platforms. Their job responsibilities often include creating and posting content and messaging to promote products and services while fostering dialogue and community surrounding the organization. They also help build brand awareness and a consistent presence in social media environments while connecting with customers and organizational partners to generate engagement, leads, sales and long-term relationships. In larger marketing departments, social media managers may oversee a team and delegate tasks to specialists. BLS does not yet track salary data for social media managers as it is a relatively new but fast-growing profession. Annual median salary estimates vary widely from $60,075 for social media managers (Indeed, August 2022 data) to $139,675 for social media communications senior managers (Salary.com, July 2022 data).
Online Advanced Degree Programs
Online programs like A-State’s M.S. in strategic communications can give you the skill set needed to influence and enhance the mission of an organization through communications.
A-State’s strategic communications program offers you the opportunity to develop the critical-thinking, analytical and practical skills you’ll need to devise and implement solutions that drive results, making you invaluable to most any business.
The online program is designed to be flexible for working professionals. Students can complete coursework in as few as 10 months.
Learn more about A-State’s online Master of Science in Strategic Communications – General program.