What to do with your degree · 6 min read
What jobs can you get with a communications degree?
Jobs you can get with a communications or media degree, from PR and content to UX writing and internal comms, plus how to stand out in a crowded field.
The short answer
A communications degree leads to roles in public relations, marketing, content and social media, internal communications, journalism, public affairs, UX writing, fundraising, events, sales and HR. The degree teaches writing, audience analysis, persuasion and media literacy, which are useful almost everywhere, but the field is competitive, so employers look closely at practical evidence: a portfolio, internships, student media, freelance work or campaigns you've run. Graduates who pair communications with a specialism, such as data, a sector like healthcare or technology, or a skill like video, tend to get hired faster.
Key takeaways
- Common routes: PR, marketing, content, internal comms, public affairs and UX writing.
- The field is competitive: a portfolio and experience matter more than the degree title.
- Pairing comms with data, a sector or a technical skill improves your chances.
- Many comms graduates also do well in sales, HR, fundraising and policy.
On this pageJobs with a communications degree
Jobs with a communications degree
| Job | What you'd do | What helps you get in |
|---|---|---|
| PR or communications assistant | Press releases, media relations, campaigns | Writing samples, internships |
| Marketing executive | Campaigns, content, analytics | Results from real campaigns |
| Content or social media manager | Creating and scheduling content | A portfolio with engagement data |
| Internal communications officer | Keeping staff informed and engaged | Clear writing, organisation |
| Public affairs or policy officer | Engaging government and stakeholders | Interest in policy, research |
| UX writer or content designer | Words in apps and websites | Portfolio, user research basics |
| Journalist | Reporting and writing news | Published clips, student media |
| Fundraiser | Raising money for charities | Persuasive writing, events |
| Events coordinator | Planning and running events | Organisation, volunteering |
How to stand out
- Build a simple portfolio site with three to five strong pieces and the results they achieved.
- Get experience early: internships, student media, charity work or freelance projects.
- Pick a sector you care about, such as health, climate, tech or sport, and learn its issues.
- Learn one technical skill: analytics, video editing, design tools or basic SQL.
- Show you use AI tools well, and that you can write better than they do.
Specialisms that make you easier to hire
| Pair comms with | Opens |
|---|---|
| Data and analytics | Digital marketing, growth, insights |
| Technology knowledge | Technical writing, product marketing, UX writing |
| A regulated sector | Healthcare, finance or energy comms |
| Video and design | Content production, brand roles |
| Policy knowledge | Public affairs, government communications |
Routes in
Graduate schemes in communications exist in government, large companies and agencies but are competitive. Many graduates start in agency roles, which offer fast learning across clients, or in assistant roles in-house. Charities and public bodies are good places to get broad experience early. Freelance writing or social media work for small businesses can build a portfolio while you apply.
Illustrative example: Maya graduates in communications with a student newspaper portfolio. She volunteers to run social media for a local food bank for three months and doubles its volunteer sign-ups. She uses those results in applications and gets a communications assistant role at a housing charity.
How AI is changing communications work
AI tools now draft press releases, social posts and first versions of web copy in seconds, which has reduced demand for some junior content production. What employers want from communications graduates is shifting toward judgement: knowing what to say, to whom and when, spotting reputational risk, building relationships with journalists and stakeholders, and editing AI drafts into something accurate and human. Show in your portfolio that you can do the parts AI can't, such as a crisis response plan, an interview-based feature or a campaign strategy with measured results.
What happens to the gaps
Most posts ask for something your CV doesn't show yet. OffLadder CV names those gaps, and Laddie, our AI coach, turns each one into three steps:
- Learn the skill: a short lesson on what the post asks for, starting from the basics.
- Try the work: a 15-minute task taken from the job itself, so you have a real example to talk about.
- Practise the interview: a five-question mock interview for that role, weighted to the parts you're least sure of.
The conversation stays in your OffLadder account. Once you've done the work, add it to your CV in your own words, and the next post you tailor for can point to it.
Questions people ask
- Is a communications degree worth it?
- It can be, if you build practical experience alongside it. The skills are broadly useful, but entry-level comms roles attract many applicants, so internships, a portfolio and a specialism make the difference.
- What's the highest-paying job with a communications degree?
- Senior roles in corporate communications, public affairs, marketing leadership and sales often pay best. Technical communication and UX writing in tech companies can pay well earlier in a career.
- Will AI replace communications jobs?
- AI is changing routine content production, such as first drafts and social posts. Roles built on strategy, relationships, crisis management, judgement and understanding audiences are more resilient. Comms professionals who use AI well are in demand.
- How do I build a comms portfolio as a student?
- Write for student media, run social channels for a society, volunteer for a charity's newsletter or campaign, start a blog or newsletter on a topic you know, and keep before-and-after examples with results.
- Can I work in HR or sales with a communications degree?
- Yes. Both reward listening, persuasion and clear writing. Recruitment, internal communications and employer branding are natural bridges into HR.
Exercises are practice, not evidence of career fit or a qualification. How to read our guides and report a correction.
Sources
- What can I do with my degree: media studies · Prospects
- Media and communication occupations · US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET OnLine · US Department of Labor
How this page is written
Sources support the factual background, not a guarantee that an exercise predicts career fit. Fictional practice material is labelled. Dates record content updates; no independent expert review is implied. More about OffLadder.