Communication Studies Degree

[Jean Alesi]

Does anyone who has a degree in communication studies or who is in the process of getting one tell me what kind of careers are out there? I'm seriously considering studying this, my dream is to one day work in television and it's been suggested I should get this degree. Does anyone want to share their life expreriances in this field?

[rockthecasbah]

Well communication studies is basically media studies (television, film, new media). But all the stuff you learn in comm studies courses is theoretical i.e. Noam Chomsky, critical analysis of the media, theories about the audience, effects of concentration of media ownership, etc etc. So when you say that you want to work in television, that is kind of broad and communication studies may be too theoretical for you (but does give you a foundation, it's just not practical information). What exactly do you want to do in television? Do you just want to work at a media conglomerate in ANY capacity? Do you want to work in production? Do you want to work on programming? Do you want to write for television? Etc.

If you want more practical know-how on the television industry, Ryerson's RTA program is quite good.

That said, I was a double major and comm studies was one of my majors. I'm not working in TV production but working at a media conglomerate [with TV properties]. However, like many liberal arts degrees, you aren't really confined to one particular career field and so many of my former classmates have gone on to all kinds of jobs. It's not as easy to streamline into a career like an accounting degree is, but I think if you show your passion for that particular field (i.e. television, new media, etc) and willing to learn the ropes, you can manoeuvrer yourself into different career fields. But maybe not television production jobs.

[danielribas]

rock, I would like to ask you something. What is the best degree to be an business executive (like strategic planning and product management) inside the communications market ? my primaly objectives are movies (maintream "hollywood") and games (activision, electronic arts)

I already have a bachelor's degree in communications, but is a foreign one and not recognized by the industry in north america (only by the universities, because that foreign university is really good). Although, this course I took is really academic as you said. For example, my final essay was about Blade Runner, jungian archetypes and the hero's journey.

Although, I want to be a strategist (thinking about the future of the company and the products it could be launching)


I think I am going to transfer my credits to university of toronto to pursuit another degree in business. It's a good idea in your opinion ?