Career Overview

Media specialists are also referred to as communications specialists and public relations specialists. It’s a media specialist’s job to act as an advocate for a company to other organizations and the public. They help businesses and other groups build their reputation with the public and other entities. Media specialists can work for businesses, nonprofit groups, universities, hospitals, and government agencies. Media specialists must be excellent managers and communicators.

Education Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree

Program Recommendations:

Public Relations
Journalism
Marketing
Communications

Many employers also look for job candidates with electronic or print journalism experience and also those who have completed internships and other real world job training experiences.

Licensure

There are no state licensing requirements to be a journalist.

Top Schools for Media Specialists:

Arizona State University
Ohio State University
University of Florida
DeVry University
Walden University

Employment Trends

Average Salary for media specialists: $51,280
Jobs in 2008 for media specialists: 275,200
Projected employment openings for media specialists through 2018: 341,300

Related Jobs:

Advertising, marketing, promotions, public relations, and sales managers
Demonstrators and product promoters
Lawyers
Market and survey researchers
News analysts, reporters, and correspondents
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing

Article Reference: Bureau of Labor Statistics