Anyone who is looking for government communications jobs should consider looking at the career paths options and openings that are available at the Federal Communications Commission. The Federal Communications Commission is responsible for regulating not just by television, but by radio, satellite, and other forms of wire and cable throughout both the United States and internationally.
The primary goals of the commission are to close a digital divide within the country while promoting innovation for communication services and protecting consumers. If you feel like your career paths and the mission of the Federal Communications Commission align, here are some jobs you could pursue as a communications graduate.
Related Resource: Top 20 Best Online Communications Degree Programs
Understanding the Organizational Structure
The Federal Communications Commission is a large organization that is made up of several different bureaus. Each bureau within the commission is responsible for a different role under the statement of work. The Inspector General and the Administrative Law Judges each have authority over different offices and bureaus within the commission.
According to the Organizational Chart released by the Federal Communications Commission, the following commission is made up of the following bureaus and offices, each with different needs for administrative, legal, and communications specialists:
- Consumer and Government Affairs
- Enforcement
- International
- Wireless Telecommunications
- Media
- Public Safety
- Wireline Competition
- Office of Administrative Law Judges
- Office of Business Opportunities
- Engineering
- Office of General Counsel
- Office of Media Relations
Starting With Internships
Most government agencies are great starting points for college students who are majoring in an area of studies like communications because the commission offers a variety of different FCC Bureau and Office commissioned internship opportunities. By pursuing an internship while in school, communications students can begin their careers in the field prior to even graduating. While there are dozens of different opportunities for internship positions, the options that pertain specifically to communications include:
- Offices of Commissioner Internships for Law Communications majors
- Office of General Counsel opportunities
- Office of Inspector General opportunities
- Commission Library opportunities
- Wireless Telecommunications for Broadband, Mobility, Infrastructure and Competition divisions
Long-Term Communications Jobs
Students are not required to complete an internship with the commission to pursue later employment, however, it will strengthen your chances of securing a long-term position with an office or bureau. Anyone who graduates with an undergraduate or graduate degree should review the requirements of job postings on USAJobs that are specific to the field. There is a centralized area within the USAJobs site called FCCJobs, where all openings and requirements are posted for internal and external applicants. Some of the positions communications grads can pursue include:
- Attorney Advisor
- Systems Analyst
- Communications Clerk and Specialist
- Enforcement Communications
- Public Relations
The Federal Communications Commission is a highly desirable place to work. According to current employees within the commission, the agency pays well, offers great benefits, and is a pleasant place to work with a 4 out of 5 star score. If you are interested in learning more about communications jobs while in school, look at open internship roles and see how you can climb the ladder.