Business communications are an important field that deals with all aspects of communications within business environments, with other businesses, and with the public. An online business communication degree combines the principles and practices of business and effective communication to provide students with a solid educational background. Students will be prepared to enter the broad business communications field and pursue a variety of positions. Students learn the essential critical thinking, writing, technical, conflict resolution, and language skills to effectively interact with a diversity of people and be successful in the business marketplace. The program will help students develop a sound understanding on how to effectively deliver desired messages to many different groups of people. Read more about online business communications degree programs.
Some Stats
In 2006, there were 78,420 bachelor degrees, 7,272 master degrees, and 480 doctorate degrees conferred in communications and communications technologies. There were 493 bachelor degrees and 176 master degrees conferred in business and corporate communications (1).
Employment Outlook
Employment outlook for business communications jobs varies greatly among field, degree, and position. The average annual business communications salaries are around $61,000. Business communications specialists earn average annual salaries of $59,000 (2).
Specialties
Business communications is a large field that allows students to select a specialty to focus their academic study on and pursue an interesting career path. The business communications specialties include corporate communications, government communications, sales and marketing communications, graphic communications, technical communications, business journalism, cultural management, unified communications, communications management, leadership and influence, project management, entrepreneurship, multimedia, mass communications, broadcasting, and public relations. There are a variety of choices and students interested in a specific specialty should choose a school that offers a strong program in the desired area.
What to Expect
Business communications programs focus on effective verbal and written communication skills in business settings. The programs provide students with a solid business education while focusing on aspects and barriers that affect effective communication. Students will learn personal communication styles and the impact communication history has had on the inventions and advances in business communication. Undergraduate business communications programs require general education courses in English, mathematics, science, history, and electives. Core coursework varies by program but most programs require courses in public speaking, technical and business writing, conflict management, creative writing, diversity in communication styles, management principles, communication ethics, diversity in communication, interpersonal communication skills, psychology, and group communications. Many programs focus on case studies to help students understand the rationale behind many communication styles and apply it to real world situations. Graduate level business communications degrees involve more in-depth study and allow students to look at specific issues in business settings.
The End Result
Business communications degrees open the door to a wide variety of career opportunities in many different fields such as business, public relations, marketing, government, advertising, and networking. Graduate degrees prepare students to transition into higher level positions in many different areas. Career opportunities for business communications degree graduates include:
- Corporate Communications Manager
- Professional Development Instructor
- Internal Communications Analyst
- Business Communications Director
- Business Communications Instructor
- Business Development Communications Manager
- Human Resources Consultant
- Business Communications Coordinator
- Business Communications Specialist
- Business Writer
- Advertising Executive
- Customer Service Representative
- Marketing Analyst
- Media Specialist
- Public Relations Specialist
A career in business communications will be rewarding for people who have a strong interest in business settings and how effective communication affects businesses as a whole. Business communications professionals apply their knowledge and expertise to a variety of business situations and relay messages in many different ways.
(1) SOURCE: U.S. National Center for Education Statistics, Digest of Education Statistics
(2) Simplyhired.com, Simply Salary