Alternative Careers in Mass Communication and Media Studies

By Parveen Kumar Sharma

Seeking a career in media industry? Know what are the alternative careers that you can take up after completing a degree in mass communication.

What do you think is the strongest weapon in the modern world? If you call it a nuclear bomb or an AI guided Missile or Weapon of Mass Destruction (WMD), you may fall short of knowing what wins wars in this age of complex clashes. It is ‘Information’ which is controlling as well as leading the 21^st century world to prosperity or a perplexity.

Who handles information? Who possesses and processes it? Who is considered to be reliable to operate on the ‘information’? The one who has a reliable certification in Mass Communication or the one who has already learnt the ways. It is obvious to know that Mass Communication isn’t just one subject; it is filled with an infinite list of widely acknowledged verticals. The way a society or community develops its food habits and rituals, the world has been creating various profiles in Mass Media, for those who fit in efficiently in the Info-management.

It is imperative in the age of Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence that we are at the verge of a technological blast. The handlers need to the trained ones, who can manage the information overload as well as overexposure. Before we move on to unearth the immense amount of careers for the students studying Mass Communication and Media, we must acknowledge the following aspects:

1. Media Literacy is important for each human being who is in a world where ‘information’ is being transmitted with various motives and propaganda. If is ware of ‘information culture’ and can decode the agenda, can safely rescue himself and others from the clutches of mischievous and manipulative plans.
2. Mass Communication degree attaches a comprehensive skill-set to individuals who study the subject at any level of their life. They are alert, aware and appreciative of the developments that relate to this technology-driven world. This awareness helps even in the search of higher-study prospects and enhances the communicative competence.
3. Mass Communication is known as a global skill. Those who are media literate are considered less vulnerable to the modern day confusions and are skilled to connect with the globe.
4. New careers are emerging at high speed. It is not just the number of jobs that are increasing; the variety of careers is so extensive that we don’t see any dearth of jobs for the Mass Communication professionals.

However, the safe-zone of ‘traditional jobs’ is still a preferred option for those who are doing Mass Communication studies. Still, the newness is going to last much longer than the old tapes.  

Traditional careers at offering are:

1. News Media (Print, Electronic or Web based)
2. Films and TV Production
3. Advertising and Public Relations (PR) Jobs
4. Government Jobs of PR and Advertising
5. Event Management
6. Academics and Teaching Jobs

Now, we see the term ‘alternative’ in broad perspective. First view is that it helps you get a new job, totally different from the field you worked in earlier and failed. Second side of the coin is that this degree enables you to choose from a plethora of profiles that are not even mentioned in your placement charts. The careers which are new and stand as alternative careers to the stereotyped-clichéd profiles are:

• Communication Skills Trainer (Most eligible ones, unfortunately, India takes the ones who have done MA English and do not have anything to do with communication)
• Media Advisor
• Political Activist
• Social Activist as individuals or part of an NGO
• Public Speaker/ Influencer
• Content Editor/Writer/Author
• Ghost Writer
• Proof-Reader for Authors and Publication Houses
• Marketing Manager by beating an MBA in Marketing as you know the ‘communication’ better
• Social Media Strategist for campaigns and projects or take this as a job as well
• Political Campaign Strategist is the most in-demand profile as it is all in ‘communication’ now
• Corporate Communication careers are much in demand in the corporate sector to maintain better Communication and liaison
• Professional Photography/Freelancing
• Blogging/V-logging and then earning a handsome pocket-money
• New Media careers
• Social Media Coordinator at educational institutions
• Internet Maturity and Social Media Smartness Trainer
• Translators for written works or in global met-ups
• Podcasting Professional
• Media Literacy Trainer
• Part-time Reporter with regular job or Special Writers/Reporters
• Panellists on TV through the Mass Awareness and skills to manage the media platforms

A degree is worth when you get the opportunity to present yourself across the table and acquire an opportunity to defend yourself. An academic qualification makes one eligible to a 'traditional' vacancy and this fulfilment of basic requisite leads to the submission of a resume. After the resume, the employers see a ‘future’ in you. What you can do in the coming years is also visualised by a good interviewer. This way, another career is waiting for you, just because, you have that extra edge i.e. Mass Communication. You find yourself, managing the PR of the company, product management and you may end-up heading the press-conferences.  

While the public sector jobs are still based on the degrees, the corporate and private sector has dared to reject this pre-occupation and obsession. You are good enough to get the results, you are in. There is a different picture altogether. An IIT graduate is running a production house or is a best-selling author; an NITian is a DJ and entrepreneur in the media production industry; a qualified MBBS doctor is a well-known podcasting voice or even politician; and a Journalism and Mass Communication degree holder is teaching English to students all around, is the canvas we wish to see. The trap of label is gone.

Is it so that a BJMC or PG Diploma in Advertising and PR or a certificate in Radio Production has nothing to accomplish? We can answer this better when we understand what alternative careers and how should be approach this most happening phenomenon. The lists shared above can possibly give a reason to re-think. You can look at Mass Communication, Journalism, Media Studies and Media Technology with a positive outlook.

If you want to make the best of this field, then you should start early with the exposure to Mass Media. It is because, the awareness and familiarity helps a lot in confident movement ahead. It is like, one who enters the National School of Drama or FTII Pune, has already done a good amount of theatre and that makes them ‘good for work’ instantly. Remember, the myth that we can work only after a degree, is a forgotten thing. When you join a degree, you are ‘sort of employed’, just that the salary shall start coming later.

While discussing alternative careers, you must be made aware of an interesting dimension of this domain. While you have done a post-graduation in Electronic Media or Film Production, do you expect to take a job in Print Media? If no, we would correct with a ‘YES You Can!’ That is also a form of alternative career that unlike the Sciences, the inter-specialisation switches are possible based on the skills of the candidate. Mass Communication gives you a flexible job definition.

There are 4 agents of change:

1. Parents
2. Teachers
3. Policy Makers/Heads
4. Students

Parents need to look at Mass Media from mature perspective now. It is not just a journalism job, where you see them sweating in heat for some news-byte or feel terrified of the high-pitch discourse.

Teachers have the largest onus on them. Students must be made media literate and they should know that this subject, if taken right at the school age, goes a long away to train for good careers.

School and college heads need to organise informative orientation programmes and make the students choose their school-elective wisely. The foundation of higher education is laid at the school. Emerging fields are not known to the budding students if awareness among the decision makers is absent.

Students! It is you, whose life and careers are at stake. So you cannot risk your life to the first three. Being equipped with the advanced gadgets on the modern world; possessing a smartphone makes you aware of what works and what does not. Take a smart decision and see the emerging careers that actually justify your interests and talents.

About the Author:

Parveen Kumar Sharma is a Mentor – Online Communities with Shiksha since its inception. He has been one of the top contributors in the Mass Communication and Journalism domain. Being a Teacher, with more than a decade of experience, he contributes to employability enhancement and communication skills of students. He is a blogger, poet, public speaker and EdTech Evangelist.