Are you considering enrolling in an online communications degree program? Communications degree holders may find positions in fields like journalism, new media, business, organizational messaging and marketing. These opportunities aren’t guaranteed, however, and the competition is fierce. To achieve your true potential, you’ll need to take steps to differentiate yourself from other students. Here are five of the easiest ways to get more from your online communications degree program.
1. Start Interning
Most online communications degree curricula don’t require internships, but does that really mean you shouldn’t pursue one? Interning can grant you critical career experience and also help you narrow down your desired professional pursuit from a range of diverse choices. Communications is a highly competitive market, so having real-world experience in addition to a strong academic track record may make you more desirable to companies.
2. Create Your Own Brand
Of course, it’s not always possible to find or land the ideal internship that lets you leverage your communications knowledge while you obtain your degree. If you can gain some notoriety by applying what you’re learning, however, then you’ll instantly strengthen your résumé. For instance, starting a professional blog that showcases your writing skills and mastery of digital communications might be a good way to position yourself as a social media expert.
Accumulating followers with a content strategy could also help you prove your worth to future employers. You may not be the first to publish news concerning the latest groundbreaking political scandal, but as long as you create content that delivers value, you’re making a good start.
3. Join Professional Organizations
Many professional associations cater to communications majors, and they can provide valuable resources for everyone from students to veterans. Even if you’re not trying to find a career until after you complete your online communications degree, you should still check out resources like
- The American Advertising Federation (AAF),
- The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA),
- The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) and
- The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC).
4. Get Published
Having academic street cred goes a long way. When you get your work published in trade journals and other media, it instantly establishes you as an authoritative source, which is helpful for building your brand and appealing to HR professionals.
Fortunately, digital magazines like the IABC’s “Communication World” accept written submissions. If you specialize in visual communications, you can check out options like the “Communication Arts” juried competitions that occur each year. These programs are open to communications degree students as well as professionals, so being included while you’re still studying is quite an accomplishment.
5. Earn a Minor
Although there’s nothing wrong with focusing on your communications degree program, adding a minor, like visual media, advertising or web design, can help you stand above the crowd even more. The fact that you possess specialized knowledge in a high-demand area might be a rarity among other recent graduates. Depending on what kinds of positions you apply for, your employer may even welcome the chance to get you on the team without having to spend quite as much time training you.
As with any field of study, your diligence plays a huge role in what you gain from your courses. Obtaining an online communications degree is an excellent way to further your career, so take charge by supplementing your education with practical experiences that hone your skills.
Related Resource:
Top 10 Best Online Communications Degree Programs