Mass Communication
The term mass communication encompasses everything involved with the media. This can include anything from careers in television and radio to political and corporate public relations. Mass communication majors can enjoy both an online education through top online universities and an excellent, broad range of top career possibilities once they graduate college. Mass communications is a broad range of jobs, therefore, it is one of the top careers to get a degree for since if one door closes, there will be another door opening right around the corner; while it can be completely different from the first, the training the student receives during the mass communications Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program will prepare the graduate for any type of job in the field.
Radio and Television
In mass communications, radio and television seem to be the most widely known, best careers in the field. The jobs acquired in radio and television can include program managers, on-air personalities and journalists who write the news for the anchors to read on the air. Program managers are the ones behind the scenes who decide what program or song goes into what time slot, they also determine the on-air personality schedule and everything in between. They are essentially responsible for anything that goes on the air of their station or network. In addition, the program manager is also responsible for the hiring and firing of on-air personalities when it is necessary.
Public Relations
Public relations are another form of mass communications. Here, the public relations specialist must always put a good spin on everything, whether it is good or bad. For instance, if a congressman or celebrity is involved in a scandal of any kind, they must make a public statement, this is where the public relations specialist comes in. They will write the statement that is appropriate for the public to hear, either taking responsibility for the actions or denying the scandal. There are also public relations specialists who also specialize in corporate images. This form of mass communication is usually used when a large corporation needs to make a big announcement, such as a new exciting product, or an accident that may or may not be the company’s fault. For instance, when a large company has a new product that they want to create a buzz for, they contact their PR specialist to write a big announcement for, then it is up to the PR specialist to post it on the internet, television and radio; getting the public involved and excited about the product.
Local, state and federal governments must also participate in mass communication. This comes in when there is some form of emergency or a scandal that affects those in the jurisdiction of the agency; this usually includes press releases about crimes or natural emergencies that effect public safety. When a child is missing or when a large wildfire or tornado hits an area, the government officials must issue a public statement, this is where the public information officer comes in, in larger areas, they will write a speech for the proper official such as the sheriff to deliver to the media, or in smaller areas, they will write a statement and present it to the media themselves.
