Business Communications Career at a Glance
People who work in the field of business communications become experts in relaying information, either within a company or to external stakeholders, such as potential clients and customers. Professionals with a business communication degree can hold careers in speech and grant writing, public relations, and internal communications. The following skills are useful for anyone interested in the field of business communication: ability to synthesize information and present it clearly, superior writing ability, strong verbal communications and persuasiveness. Furthermore, successful business communicators are able to communicate across diverse audiences.
What to Know about Business Communication Programs and Degrees
A business communication degree can be versatile, as proficiency in writing and public speaking is a valuable skill set for many careers. A bachelor's degree in business communication, for example, can open the door to an entry-level position in public relations or technical writing, when coupled with expertise in technology. General business degrees sometimes offer business communications as a specialization within the program, whether at the associate's, bachelors, or master's level. Business communication programs typically build competency in writing and oral communications, public relations, communications theory, mass communication, and media and publishing.
Business Communications Career Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics cites the following median annual wages for careers related to business communications:
- Writers and authors: $53,070
- Public relations specialists: $51,280
- Desktop publishers: $36,600
Job growth varies depending on the industry. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts favorable career opportunities for public relations specialists, as job growth is predicted to increase 24 percent from 2008 through 2018. Jobs in writing will increase approximately 8 percent during the same period, while desktop publishing will decline 23 percent.