What can you do with a bachelor's in communication?
By: Sarah Edwards, Edited by: Arthur McMahon
Published: February 6, 2025
Are you looking for an engaging career helping individuals and companies relate well to others? Learn what you can do with a bachelor's in communication and how earning this degree can prepare you to accomplish your career goals.
What jobs can you get with a bachelor's in communication?
A bachelor's in communication can prepare students for a broad range of careers in government, media, nonprofit, political, and corporate settings. What can you do with a bachelor's in communication? Three common roles for graduates of communications programs include public relations specialist, marketing manager, and human resources specialist.
Public relations specialist
A public relations (PR) professional maintains a positive public image for an individual or organization by building relationships with all stakeholders. Those working in public relations may:
- Evaluate public opinion and sentiment
- Write speeches and press releases
- Plan and execute special events
- Manage communications during a crisis
- Respond to media requests for interviews or commentary
A bachelor's degree in communication typically teaches the fundamental elements of workplace and interpersonal communication, composition, and data analysis of communication research. These classes may emphasize critical thinking, problem-solving, conflict management, and leadership.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the 2023 median pay for a public relations role was $66,750 per year. This can change depending on the industry, with government PR specialists making a median salary of $76,140 per year and healthcare and social assistance paying a median of $58,390.
Marketing manager
A marketing manager identifies and analyzes target markets for a product or service and leads a company's marketing efforts to generate interest and demand. These professionals typically:
- Develop marketing strategies
- Evaluate marketing campaigns
- Manage campaign budgets and timelines
- Research new markets and competitors
- Supervise advertising and marketing associates
- Collaborate with graphic design, sales, and other departments
- Report on key performance indicators and metrics
Bachelor's degrees in communication can prepare students for this role by teaching analytical thinking, effective communication strategies, and the psychological underpinnings of communication.
The BLS reports that the 2023 median salary for marketing managers was $157,620 per year. Salaries vary by industry, location, and experience.
Human resources specialist
Human resources specialists support an organization's workforce. This job may include a variety of tasks, such as:
- Identifying hiring needs
- Coordinating employee onboarding and training
- Developing workplace policies and procedures
- Maintaining employee records
- Addressing workplace conflicts
- Managing compliance and ethics issues
A bachelor's degree in communication typically teaches critical human resources skills such as organizational communication strategies, navigating supervisor and peer relationships, understanding employee socialization and workplace conflict, and the basics of leadership, influence, and ethics.
According to the BLS, human resources specialists earned a median annual salary of $67,650 in 2023.