Career in mass communication

A career in mass communication provides a wide scope and a plethora of opportunities for students across the country. Due to the boom in Indian media industry that constitutes largely of numerous national dailies, magazines, television channels, radio, films, advertising, and of course the Internet, the career in mass communication looks all the more promising and is expected to experience substantial growth in the years to come.

The media industry (be it the print, electronic, visual and broadcasting) is always on the lookout of creative, spontaneous, and outgoing candidates who are open to experiment and explore the different aspects of mass communication.

Mass communication basically is the transmission of information to large numbers of people through mass media. Once it used to be a one-way process with a little feedback from the audiences, but thanks to digitalisation, it has paved ways for a common man to comment/ provide feedback.

The field of mass communication is vast and as a student you can choose and specialise in any of the following streams:

• Advertising
• Corporate and institutional media (producing visual, audio, written, and multimedia materials for training and instruction, internal and external communications, sales, and public relations)
• Electronic media
• Journalism (magazines, newspapers, print, electronic, television, radio, broadcast)
• Production management
• Public relations
• Telecommunications (news or production)
• Visual communications (graphic design, production design, photography, video

Education and Degree Options in Mass Communication
Those serious about getting started in the field of communication should consider one of the reputed institutes with recognised accreditation or university certification. Usually there are various options available from short duration diploma courses to bachelor's and master's courses.

Bachelor’s Degrees – Most bachelor’s degrees in mass communication offer a choice of specialisations, ranging from journalism to public relations to advertising. Some programs are broad-based, while others are more focused.

Master’s Degrees – Schools/Universities that offer a master’s degree in mass communication typically offer several areas of study to choose from. Each school has its own specialties. A few options include:

Advertising, including options in areas such as art direction, brand management, copywriting, strategy, or creative technology. Media studies, including courses such as mass communication theory, media history, media ethics, public opinion, sports or politics and media, women and media, and production work in film, audio, video, and digital media.

Strategic communication management focuses on the management of communication in an organisation. Mass communication educational programs teach many skills useful not only in fields directly related to mass communication, but also for many other professions. These skills may include:

• Verbal and writing skills – The ability to organise and express ideas clearly and appropriately
• Observation skills – The ability to evaluate ideas and content, and the abilities to inform, explain, influence, persuade, mediate, and negotiate
• Organisational skills – The ability to plan and work both as part of a team and independently, meeting deadlines, striving for accuracy, being accountable, and making decisions
• Design and development skills – The ability to design projects, generate and adapt ideas, evaluate situations, and present information and data
• Problem solving skills – The ability to look at complex problems, understanding both the whole picture and its individual parts, recognising patterns, using analytical and intuitive skills, and evaluating and monitoring result
• Cultural awareness – The ability to understand diverse cultural, social, legal, and ethical considerations in mass communication processes

Job Prospects
Many career options are available with a professional degree in mass communication.
A professional course in mass communication opens doors for a career in films and TV, publishing, public relations, journalism, editing, direction, filmmaking, scriptwriting, production, etc.

In a nutshell, Mass Communication widens up the horizon of career options for a person. Depending upon personal interest and inclination, a mass communication professional can choose a job in media houses, print and electronic.

Therefore, with a professional degree or diploma course in Mass Communication, work opportunities are immense.

Advertising/Content Building: Advertising person, designer, graphics and production specialist, marketing communications, media buyer or planner, publicity director.

Broadcasting and Production: Broadcast technician, director, film editor, floor manager, lighting director, news director, newscaster, producer, production manager or supervisor, program director, scriptwriter, sound mixer, special effects specialist, station manager, technical director, video graphics artist.

Journalism: Assignment editor, columnist, critic, editor, news analyst, news director, newspaper editor, photojournalist, print coordinator, proofreader, reporter, sports director, videographer, writer.

Publishing: Publisher, Booking agent, literary agent, editor, writer.

Public Administration – Community affairs director, event coordinator, program administrator.
Size of the Entertainment and Media Industry is 1120 Billion INR and increasing in which television has 420 Billion INR Internet 252 Billion INR Print Media 223 Billion INR Film 126 Billion INR Internet advertising 29 Billion INR Gaming 21 Billion INR OOH 19 Billion INR Radio 18 Billion INR and Music 12 Billion INR, which itself shows there are immense opportunities for the students in the terms of monetary as well.

Pay Packet
Candidates who pass out from recognised institutes receive attractive placement after their courses and handsome salaries, students from not-so-well- known institutes have to work hard to get placed though.

Starting salary for a mass communication professional could be between Rs 1, 44,000 and 3,00,000 depending on an individual's calibre. Some positions may require additional training.

In addition, an undergraduate degree in mass communications may be a starting point for going on to get a specialisation degree in an area of your interest such as film making, fashion photographer, video jockey, etc.

By:Pradeep Gupta
(Writer is an Executive Director, MassCoMedia College, New Delhi)