5 Lucrative Virtual Careers Obtainable With A Communications Degree
- Technical Writer
- Public Relations Manager
- Social Media Strategist
- Marketing Manager
- Director of Communications
Many students who enjoy interacting with others pursue a degree in communications, which leads them to consider virtual communications jobs. Humanity is communicating over the Internet now more than ever before, and job opportunities in this field are numerous. Below is an outline of the five highest-paying virtual careers after earning a communications degree.
Ranking: Top 20 Best Online Communications Degree Programs
1. Technical Writer
Of all the writing-related virtual communications jobs, technical writers generally command the highest salaries. This is because becoming a technical writer requires a specific skillset. Technical writers are responsible for writing technical manuals for just about every product that requires instructions. To do this, they must have extensive knowledge of how a product works and be able to communicate to customers in clear steps how to use it. Technical writers can easily work from home and typically earn around $70,000 annually.
2. Public Relations Manager
Most public relations managers earn well over $100,000 per year and some can perform most or even all of their work virtually. Unlike a director of communications, a public relations manager does not necessarily work for a company as an employee. Many companies outsource public relations and many of these positions are available at public relations firms. These professionals not only use techniques to direct public opinion about a company but also do damage control if something happens that negatively impacts the company they work for.
3. Social Media Strategist
The demand for social media strategists is growing in a world where many people communicate largely through social media. These communication professionals perform many of the same duties as other roles on this list, only they exclusively handle a company’s communication via social media platforms. Social media strategists are in charge of developing and implementing a company’s social media strategy. They are also responsible for maintaining the company’s image during a faux pas and handling the situation accordingly. Because social media strategists perform much of their work online, this career can be done as a virtual communications job and pays rather well.
4. Marketing Manager
Marketing managers can also have a degree in marketing or business administration, although communications is an excellent degree choice to enter this field as well. While many marketing managers work on-site at their company, many more now work virtually, especially if they work for a digital marketing firm. Marketing managers who work virtually for a firm usually work with multiple clients, so strong organizational skills are a must. It is also possible to have this career on a freelance basis. Good marketing heads regularly pull in six-figure salaries because executives know how important marketing is to keep a company in business.
5. Director of Communications
The director of communications is the spokesperson for a company. They commonly interact with journalists and clients, as well as internal employees such as executives and customer service staff. The goal of any director of communications is to maintain a positive image of the company and train all staff to do so as well. Private companies, governmental bodies and non-profits all hire communications directors. According to the Houston Chronicle, one of the main differences this career has from public relations is that it is broader in scope. The director of communications oversees all of a company’s communication, both internal and external.
A degree in communications opens up many career paths both offline and online. Students who desire remote work should consider these virtual communications jobs.