Explore the career requirements for corporate communications specialists. Get the facts about education requirements, salary, and potential job growth to determine if this is the right career for you.
What Is a Corporate Communications Specialist?
Corporate communications specialists are a part of a rapidly growing industry centered around creating and distributing messages to internal clients, company shareholders, media contacts and the general public. A corporate communications specialist often has multiple roles ranging from public relations, marketing and advertising, and communication between management and employees. Corporate communications specialists may write press releases and speeches, provide information to the media, use social media and book events. A corporate communications specialist must have a strong understanding of a company's mission and purpose and work to keep them consistent and positive both within the company and in the public eye.
To find out what education is needed and what these specialists earn in this career, check out the following table.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Degree Required</b></td><td>Bachelor's degree</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Education Field of Study</b></td><td>Public relations <br/> Marketing <br/> Journalism</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Key Skills</b></td><td>Excellent communicator, people person, organized</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Growth (2020-2030)</b></td><td>11% growth <i>(for all public relations specialists)</i>*</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Average Salary (2020)</b></td><td>$71,940 <i>(for all public relations specialists)</i>*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatWillIDoAsACorporateCommunicationsSpecialist">What Will I Do as a Corporate Communications Specialist?</h3><p>As implied by the name, a corporate communications specialist is a public relations worker who focuses on the communication of a company or organization, both internally and externally. In this public relations role, a primary duty is to ensure consistency in company messages and maintain a positive company image. These professionals are also involved with managing client and customer relationships. Specific duties may differ from day-to-day but often include some of the following:
</p><ul><li>Writing press releases
</li><li>Coordinating meetings and conferences
</li><li>Maintaining media relationships
</li><li>Arranging speaking engagements
</li><li>Preparing presentations
</li><li>Managing public opinions and perceptions
</li></ul><h3 id="section---WhatEducationDoINeed">What Education Do I Need?</h3><p>Corporate communications specialists are involved in several different areas and types of communication, so education and training requirements can vary. However, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that prospective public relations specialists often earn a bachelor's degree in public relations, marketing, journalism or other communications fields (<i>www.bls.gov</i>). The coursework in these programs often includes:
</p><ul><li>Crisis communication
</li><li>Advertising strategies
</li><li>Public relations
</li><li>Writing for the media
</li><li>Strategic messaging
</li></ul><p>Graduate degree programs in public relations and corporate communications are also available and you may choose to complete this program when you're ready to move to a leadership position. You may also seek certification from the International Association of Business Communicators or Public Relations Society of America. Both organizations offer accreditation programs for individuals who work in communications positions.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatCouldIEarn">What Could I Earn?</h3><p>Although income may vary depending on company size, educational background, location and a variety of other factors, the BLS reported the mean annual salary of a public relations specialist at $71,940 in 2020. The BLS has also predicted that employment of public relations specialists will rise 11% between 2020 and 2030.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatAreSomeRelatedAlternativeCareers">What Are Some Related Alternative Careers?</h3><p>There are other jobs that are similar to corporate communications specialist and require a bachelor's degree. Writers and editors in a corporate setting have job duties that are similar to those of corporate communications specialists; they may write speeches, marketing materials or internal communications. Marketing, promotions and advertising managers come up with ways to make a company's products or services more interesting and desirable, much like corporate communications specialists do with their company's image. If you're particularly interested in the event planning aspects of a corporate communications career, you could consider working as a meeting, convention and event planner. Any of these alternative related careers requires writing and communication skills, involvement with the media or public relations, and an understanding of cultivating a message or mission for a company.</p>
