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Job outlook for directors strategic communications in the United States
Director strategic communications job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected director strategic communications job growth rate is 8% from 2018-2028.
About 6,300 new jobs for directors strategic communications are projected over the next decade.
Director strategic communications salaries have increased 14% for directors strategic communications in the last 5 years.
There are over 7,583 directors strategic communications currently employed in the United States.
There are 30,746 active director strategic communications job openings in the US.
The average director strategic communications salary is $105,320.
Are director strategic communications jobs in demand?
Director strategic communications job and salary trends over time
Director strategic communications jobs over time
Director strategic communications job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,583 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 7,407 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 7,229 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 6,617 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 6,145 | 0.00% |
Average director strategic communications salary over time
Director strategic communications salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $105,320 | $50.63 | +4.1% |
| 2024 | $101,197 | $48.65 | +2.1% |
| 2023 | $99,140 | $47.66 | +3.2% |
| 2022 | $96,100 | $46.20 | +3.7% |
| 2021 | $92,680 | $44.56 | +3.1% |
Director strategic communications jobs by state
Most common states for directors strategic communications
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 440 | 63% |
| 2 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 228 | 26% |
| 3 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 404 | 19% |
| 4 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 317 | 17% |
| 5 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 807 | 16% |
| 6 | Delaware | 961,939 | 144 | 15% |
| 7 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 929 | 14% |
| 8 | Vermont | 623,657 | 86 | 14% |
| 9 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 642 | 13% |
| 10 | Louisiana | 4,684,333 | 624 | 13% |
| 11 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 497 | 13% |
| 12 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 807 | 10% |
| 13 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 107 | 10% |
| 14 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 366 | 9% |
| 15 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 67 | 9% |
| 16 | Alaska | 739,795 | 63 | 9% |
| 17 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 54 | 9% |
| 18 | California | 39,536,653 | 3,012 | 8% |
| 19 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 577 | 8% |
| 20 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 434 | 8% |
Most common cities for directors strategic communications
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chillum | 1 | 3% | $93,878 |
| 2 | University Place | 1 | 3% | $119,790 |
| 3 | Bethesda | 1 | 2% | $93,836 |
| 4 | Atlanta | 3 | 1% | $123,280 |
| 5 | Washington | 3 | 0% | $89,659 |
| 6 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $106,097 |
| 7 | Detroit | 1 | 0% | $114,654 |
| 8 | Indianapolis | 1 | 0% | $100,960 |
| 9 | Kansas City | 1 | 0% | $92,291 |
| 10 | Orlando | 1 | 0% | $94,287 |
| 11 | Richmond | 1 | 0% | $101,225 |
| 12 | San Antonio | 1 | 0% | $121,996 |
| 13 | Seattle | 1 | 0% | $118,393 |
Director Strategic Communications job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of director strategic communications experts
Grand Valley State University
Saint John's University
Penn State University, Brandywine
University of Missouri-St. Louis
Luther College
Morehouse College
Indiana University Northwest
University of the Incarnate Word
Randolph-Macon College
University of Wisconsin-Madison
University of South Florida
University of Connecticut
University of New Haven
University of the Incarnate Word
Huntingdon College
Bellarmine University
Alex Nesterenko Ph.D.
Professor and Graduate Program DirectorGrand Valley State University
School of Communications
What soft skills should all Directors Strategic Communications possess?
Alex Nesterenko Ph.D.: The following soft skills are central to being a successful ICM:
-Attentive listening
-Problem-solving
-Critical thinking
-Creative thinking
-Time management
-Being a team player
To these, one could add the following character qualities:
-Projects a sense of calm and maturity
-Projects openness and empathy toward others
-Has leadership capabilities
-Has a strong work ethic
One might likely include yet other soft skills. However, the above list characterizes the soft skills one would surely want to see in an ICM.
There is no universal agreement on what are or are not "soft" and "hard" skills. Generally, however, hard skills are understood to be skills that one can learn. For example, one can learn to be a more capable writer or researcher. On the other hand, soft skills are understood to be social skills, character traits, and attributes that evolve over a person's lifetime. In this regard, it is doubtful that one can be quickly taught to be more open, and yet, a person can become more open to others over time with a willingness to pursue it. While learning is surely involved, change is largely attributable to the individual's efforts and is less a product of formal education. However, formal education can hasten the development of soft skills. For example, the individual seeking to become more open to others could avail themselves of various courses at a university that could help them understand and appreciate greater openness.
What skills will help Directors Strategic Communications earn the most?
Alex Nesterenko Ph.D.: A person's career usually involves increased levels of responsibility over time. Therefore, at any point in one's career trajectory, different skills ("soft" or "hard") might be emphasized and will take prominence. To answer the question "what skills will help you earn the most," one assumes that an individual intends to stay in the field for a considerable period and is striving to (eventually) take on a lead role as the head of an IC department, which carries with it a manager, director, or greater title.
In this connection, if one takes on a lead role in IC, soft skills will likely be emphasized, leaving hard skills to those acting as assistants to the ICM. A person who has recently graduated from college/university will need to demonstrate both soft and hard skills to understand that they will be initially heavily relied upon for their hard skills by the ICM. As the entry-level person matures in their role, they will be more often tapped for their soft skills, and, as they move into roles with greater responsibility and more elevated titles, they will likely become more reliant upon their soft skills.
Nancy DiTunnariello Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorSaint John's University
Mass Communication
What skills stand out on Director Strategic Communications resumes?
Nancy DiTunnariello Ph.D.: One of the best skills a Communication Manager can hold is taking charge during stressful situations yet still managing their team. A great manager will understand that they must delegate work to others on their team to get things accomplished. Utilizing and helping to cultivate the strengths of others on your team is an excellent skill to have and a true asset to your organization. One strong and capable employee is great; however, an entire team of them is even better.
Hans Schmidt Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Communications, Coordinator, Schreyer and Cooper Honors ProgramsPenn State University, Brandywine
Communications Department
What soft skills should all Directors Strategic Communications possess?
Hans Schmidt Ph.D.: I know that "soft skills" is commonly used, but I'm not a fan of the term. I think it implies that some of these skills are "soft" or "easy" or "unimportant." They aren't. In many ways, so-called "soft skills" - things like interpersonal communication skills - can be among the most important skills for any worker. This is especially the case in communication-related fields, where there is an expectation that human interaction - both in-person and mediated - is important. This is true with leadership skills and presentation/speaking skills.
Vicki Sauter Ph.D.
Professor of Information Systems and TechnologyUniversity of Missouri-St. Louis
Information Systems Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Director Strategic Communications job market given the pandemic?
Vicki Sauter Ph.D.: The most important trend is that we are all going to have problems going back to work. We are accustomed to the flexibility, the clothing trends, etc. If that is true, employers need to look for self-starters and self-motivators who can be productive home workers.
In terms of disciplines, I think the new hot jobs will be in supply chains and cybersecurity. We have certainly seen the impact of breaks in the supply chains and breaks into our computing files. We will all need to think along these lines: "How can we be sure our computers are safe when many people are not very good at keeping passwords and other security mechanisms? Is your system secure?"
What soft skills should all Directors Strategic Communications possess?
Vicki Sauter Ph.D.: The major soft skill needed by all graduates is communication, and net etiquette (netiquette), especially by younger workers. These workers are on the computer or the phone at all times. They don't distinguish between professional communication and personal communication. That combined with most communication happening in text, in Zoom, etc. They need to understand that you cannot rely upon emoticons and abbreviations to get your points across to the boss or the customer.
Associated with this is a need for comfort with computers, software, and fast changes in both.
How have salaries changed over time for Directors Strategic Communications?
Vicki Sauter Ph.D.: Students in IST and cybersecurity are increasing. Supply is low, and demand is high.
Sarah Wilder Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorLuther College
Communication Studies Department
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Directors Strategic Communications?
Sarah Wilder Ph.D.: I don't see how there won't be some sort of enduring impact. If you're asking about the individuals or the career field or all of the above, I suspect the impact of the pandemic will be far-reaching. This has been a life-altering experience on many levels. That being said, I believe humanity continues to show its resilience and that as we navigate the changes, sometimes traumas, of this experience, we also learn and grow from it. Individuals now have a better sense of themselves, their needs, and their goals having had to navigate a pandemic. Further, graduates have been forced to become more adaptable in every way and this will likely carry over into various careers. That these individuals know how to shift quickly between modes of communication may be an expectation and a benefit for them that they can. These graduates can interact face-to-face but have also learned how to interact via mediated channels of communication. Being able to do this, and do it competently, changes the expanse of the workforce. So, from personal to professional facets of their lives, I suspect there will be some lasting impact.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Directors Strategic Communications?
Sarah Wilder Ph.D.: That's an interesting question for a degree like Communication Studies that doesn't have a designated career like other fields. Some positions of our recent graduates include anchor, producer, occupational therapist, director of career development, attorney at law, librarian, graduate student, social worker, marketing manager, and director of training, to name a few. So really what certifications or licenses are helpful will be position/career specific. As far as courses, I recommend a breadth of courses that prepare individuals to interact and communicate competently as well as think critically. This could mean taking an interpersonal communication course to better understand the nuances of truly empathic, competent communication with others, particularly in a diverse workforce, to taking a course on argumentation to better understand how to effectively present ideas and critically interact with a larger society's positions on complicated ideologies.
What will help Directors Strategic Communications increase their earning potential?
Sarah Wilder Ph.D.: Honestly, it's probably the Communication Studies degree itself. Research indicates as much as 70% plus of long-term success in a career is tied to soft skills and that's where graduates of Communication Studies excel. Individuals with this degree are critical thinkers, adaptable, have strong people skills, and obviously, are excellent communicators. Hard skills are necessary. A person has to be able to do the "job" at hand. That being said, if you and another employee can both perform the basic job duties, but you are also adaptable, able to interact with coworkers, train others, make clients feel comfortable and confident etc., you are going to be the one that is promoted, offered new career opportunities, brought into important decision-making positions, and so on. I just had a conversation with an optometrist and she said almost none of her technicians have science or medical backgrounds. She's ready to train the hard skills of the equipment and exam procedures, but she needs to hire people who are excellent communicators, intelligent, and work well with others. The benefits of being able to communicate effectively are never-ending.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Directors Strategic Communications?
Matthew Lange Ph.D.: During the COVID-19 pandemic international trade was able to continue but tourism, study abroad, and in-person business negotiation all but ceased due to quarantine and lockdown restrictions. When our lives shifted online, certain sectors of the economy were crippled, while others continued remotely with adjustments.
As the pandemic subsides, we will face a different work environment now that many employers and employees have grown accustomed to online working/learning. While most German educators will return to face-to-face instruction, schools and universities now have a greater infrastructure for online education and potentially greater acceptance by learners and teachers.
For those in professional tracts who augment their careers with German language skills (think business students with a second major in German), renewed freedom of movement will allow employees to work in and travel to German-speaking countries once again thus opening up greater employment opportunities. At the same time, new possibilities have emerged due to the shift to remote work.
In addition to the COVID pandemic, graduates of 2021 and beyond will also find a stronger Germany within the European Union due to Brexit. After kicking the proverbial can down the road for years, a hard negotiation deadline forced the British hand at the end of 2020. As a result of the Brexit, the UK has lost its representation in the European Parliament, and we have already seen international corporations moving their operations from London to other cities such as Amsterdam, Dublin (presumably to keep English as the local language), Frankfurt, and Paris. Frankfurt is particularly attractive to the financial sector, because the European Central Bank is there.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Directors Strategic Communications?
Matthew Lange Ph.D.: Specific credentials are often a prerequisite to a particular career path. In the field of education, primary- and secondary-school teachers need licensure in their state of employment to teach in public schools, and those requirements are covered in the undergraduate education program. If one moves to another state, however, the new state's Department of Education (or Public Instruction) has to grant new licensure in its state. In contrast, professors and instructors at the post-secondary level require no teaching credentials. Instead, the college or university stipulates a PhD, MA or even simply BA.
The vast majority of German majors/minors learn the language and culture to apply that knowledge to their primary field of study, most often in business or the sciences, to expand their work, study, and research options. Some opportunities have minimum language proficiency expectations, however. Instead of taking applicants self-evaluations of language proficiency (the term "fluent" means different things to different people), employers can rely on standardized tests such as the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) or Writing Proficiency Test (WPT), which were developed by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). German language programs aim to produce graduates with proficiency at the intermediate-high or advanced-low on the ACTFL scale, which ranges from novice-low to distinguished, since that is simultaneously the expected minimum set by the respective state Department of Education for teaching licensure. One can also look beyond the US border to various tests at the Goethe Institut, which evaluate the four modalities of listening, reading, speaking, and writing. These tests evaluate according to the Common European Reference Framework (CERF) that ranges from A1 to C2. German universities require B1 on the CERF scale to enroll directly in university.
Most important for a well-rounded education, of course, is a study abroad experience. By being "a stranger in a strange land" one develops negotiation techniques and problem-solving skills when dealing with linguistically- and culturally-ambiguous situations. Studies have shown that study and work abroad increases creativity and flexibility, which are crucial for personal and professional growth.
What will help Directors Strategic Communications increase their earning potential?
Matthew Lange Ph.D.: Several articles over the past few years have noted the salary bump for employees with second-language skills. A 2014 report in The Economist entitled "What is a language worth?" indicated, for example, that German proficiency can add a 3.8% bump to your earnings, as calculated by MIT economist Albert Saiz. This increase can come directly from employers who pay a premium for language skills, or the employee can benefit from a larger pool of opportunities that are simply inaccessible to monolingual speakers.
But while many graduates increasingly like to consider return-on-investment (ROI) of a course of study or set of skills, let us not forget that quality of life is important as well, even if it is difficult to quantify. Learning another language and its culture exposes one to another value system that might prefer, for example, more vacation time over increased salary.
Dorothy Ige Campbell
Professor of Communication Emeritus, Founder & Former ChairIndiana University Northwest
Department of Communication
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Director Strategic Communications job market given the pandemic?
Dorothy Ige Campbell: The emphases on graphic design and emerging media are in demand more than ever in an increasingly virtual world. New workers who have some Public Relations and persuasive communication backgrounds will have an edge. Those who work or go to school in diverse environments and have cross-cultural training during this time of civil rights demands are also suited for the new era. Jobs in Communication have decreased a bit (see below).
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Directors Strategic Communications?
Dorothy Ige Campbell: A bachelor's degree in Communication is considered ideal for non-academic jobs. For undergraduate degrees, a Communication degree paired with a Minor (such as Business) can be ideal, and that has not changed. Those who wish to teach Communication in secondary schools often complete a four-year degree with a major in Education which stresses teaching methods and childhood development, with an emphasis in Communication. Courses in Drama and English also help secondary teacher preparation in Communication.
For graduate education and academic faculty positions in higher education, a Masters in Communication or a related field for part-time teaching for Junior College teaching of Communication courses is usually required. A Ph. D. is usually required for tenure-track, full-time faculty positions in Communication. Courses in statistical research, theory, then specialty Communication courses (such as Health, Religious or Strategic Communication, and so on) are usually required. At all levels, there is an increased emphasis on diversity in the curriculum.
How have salaries changed over time for Directors Strategic Communications?
Dorothy Ige Campbell: In general, changes in salaries vary widely by the type of institution (large Research-1 versus a smaller Teaching Campus); rank (part-time versus tenure-track positions, etc). In general, social science fields like Communication salaries tend to fall midway between higher paying science-related fields and lower paying humanities fields. The Chronicle of Higher Education at jobs.chronicle.com as well as the College and University Professional Association (CUPA) at www.cupahr.org and the National Communication Association www.natcom.org are the best sources for specific information on salaries in the various fields. While the newest data is yet being formulated, because of uncertainties about Covid and enrollment drops at some smaller campuses, we expect the demand for new positions to fall slightly, and with less negotiating for higher salaries. Per the NCA website "Communication positions increased by 130 percent from 2009 to 2018-19, before decreasing by 26 percent in 2019-20. . . the weakest year for employment in Communication since 2011." In addition to generalist positions, "Specialists in Strategic Communication/Public Relations/Advertising remained the most sought after." This was followed by "Journalism . . . and Mass Communication/Media Studies/Film Studies." These positions were followed by "Digital/New/Emerging Media, Health, Communication Technology and Intercultural/International/Global Communication."
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Director Strategic Communications job market given the pandemic?
Taylor Collins Ph.D.: The pandemic has largely accelerated and amplified many labor market trends that were already
underway. We're seeing markets consolidating, more remote work settings, and more automated
processes. Moving forward, there are likely to be fewer small business job openings while corporate
positions should significantly grow. Graduates should also expect that they will no longer be competing
solely with other local graduates for entry-level jobs. Labor market competition is going to continue to
become more national, or even international.
The pandemic also seems to have accelerated the rate of AI investment, with research by Stanford's
2021 AI Index Report finding that total global investment in artificial intelligence increased by 40% in
2020. This doesn't necessarily mean that jobs for business economics students will disappear however,
as strong job growth over the next decade is projected in many fields hiring our graduates. But it does
mean that much of the work may look different. Employers will be looking for more than just plug and
run data junkies. Workers who can support the power of automation are likely to find stable job
prospects, and that requires competence in creative problem solving, the capacity to critically analyze
and interpret data outputs, and a social skillset that will facilitate large scale collaboration and
teamwork.
What soft skills should all Directors Strategic Communications possess?
Taylor Collins Ph.D.: One thing I've heard from several managers recently is a frustration with the lengths they've had to take
to maintain engagement from their employees in this new work-from-home reality. Many workers who
were reliably plugging away when in the office quickly lost their drive without a direct supervisor looking
over their shoulder, and this change has been one of the biggest challenges of efficient remote work.
Moving forward, I expect firms to correct for this frustration by placing a premium on self-starters.
Individuals who can be reliably counted on to complete their tasks, even when they are not kept under
the direct watchful eye of a manager, will be particularly valued. To meet this demand, students need to
use their college experience as an opportunity to build and craft a sense of self-motivation.
M. Thomas Inge Ph.D.
Blackwell Professor of HumanitiesRandolph-Macon College
Film Studies Program
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Director Strategic Communications job market given the pandemic?
M. Thomas Inge Ph.D.: When I graduated from Randolph-Macon College in 1959, I was one of 600 students. I wanted to be a writer and literary critic, but the closest thing we had were majors in the liberal arts. Majors in English and Spanish opened my world view, but today more than 1200 view for places in the sciences and technology. Randolph-Macon has become a mega-college and conveyor of the latest information and research like no other in the United States. Books and language work side by side in laboratories and with computers to provide the best education possible.
"What can you do with a degree in the novel or medieval studies?" Just about anything if you attend a school that takes a full perspective on life.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Directors Strategic Communications?
Dr. Derek Johnson Ph.D.: Departments like ours are aware of the added challenges created by the pandemic and we've been taking steps to help our students find opportunities while also helping employers to overcome the challenges of continuing to provide needed experience. Given the uncertainty around in-person work, we've been trying to generate online internships that allow students to connect with employers in safer ways. At the same time as we address the current crisis, we are also working to address long-standing barriers to access that have limited work opportunities based on social status, geography, the ability to support one's self, and more. Virtual internships can help with that, but there's more work to do to make sure everyone has equal opportunity to succeed and to manage the crises we face.
What's a day at work look like for a Director Strategic Communications?
Jody McBrien: If we look at a Spring 2021 graduate's work life, I have to say it remains highly unclear what the daily life will entail. Just last spring, we were all hopeful that we would move out of the pandemic later in 2020. But here we are, nearly a year after the beginning of this pandemic, and we are now fearing variants of the virus when we had hoped that a vaccine might allow us to move back to a more "normal" way of life by spring 2021. So it's just hard to say. I think that graduates need to be prepared for distanced jobs and technological savvy for the near future.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Director Strategic Communications job market given the pandemic?
Mohamad Alkadry Ph.D.: Just like 9/11 resulted in substantial investment in homeland security jobs, I believe that the pandemic will likely result in a substantial investment in our public health infrastructure. More than ever before, Americans understand the importance of public servants at all levels. Americans, who have historically undermined the importance of the public serctor, were all looking to public officials more than ever before. The pandemic also highlighted the importance of professional non-elected officials' expertise to our survival. There was a clear respect for the evidence-based scientific knowledge and recommendations of professional public servants like Dr. Anthony Fauci. We are also likely to see an investment in e-government programs that would allow citizens and employees to interact virtually. I believe the pandemic undermines the trend toward service industry and we will likely see a very slow return of service and travel-related positions especially if the virus mutates and the pandemic lingers over a few years.
What experience really stands out on Director Strategic Communications resumes?
Matt Caporale: In a nutshell, hands on and applied experiences stand out the most. What employers truly seek is not just what you know and what you did, but how you did it, where you did it, to what outcome, and what do you offer now because of those experiences. This isn't new, but employers are increasingly looking for details and level of specificity to a student's college experience - buzzwords won't suffice any more. The experiences that stand out are ones students can actively quantify and showcase success, hard skills, and soft skills.
These types of experiences include traditional experiences such as internships, research projects, study abroad, and campus leadership. But they more often now include diverse perspectives, interdisciplinary experiences, and roles in which students make a focused impact on the organization in which they served. Employers seek well rounded candidates with hard and soft skills; so, the experiences that stand out will need to be diversified, skill focused, and impactful.
For students in international relations, these experiences will include traditional internships and study abroad, but also Model UN, policy research and development, multi-cultural experiences (local and international), and data-based projects.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Director Strategic Communications job market given the pandemic?
Michael Mercer: I think the job market might continue to be tough going into 2021. Until the vaccine is widespread many of the industries hard hit by Covid will have a slow recovery, and I would not be surprised if there is a tentative approach to hiring. However, many businesses have learned how productive employees can be when working remotely, and they have also discovered the cost savings when people work from home. I would predict that more jobs will be able to offer work-from-home options than before the pandemic.
What type of skills will young Directors Strategic Communications need?
Elizabeth B. Rogers: Adpatilbilty. It has become apparent now, maybe more than ever, that employees are expected to do their jobs well, no matter where they are completing their tasks. New job candidates will need to show with concrete evidence that they can adapt in situations that are new or uncommon. Many recent graduates can use their transition from traditional to remote learning as significant evidence of their ability to adapt. Many students thought they were going home for a few weeks in March and then spent the rest of the spring semester online. What changes did you make when the school went virtual that helped you succeed? How did you ensure you not only got your work done but also took care of yourself? What did you learn about yourself, your habits? Many students survived a tough transition, and that is something not only to applaud but use when you are selling yourself to potential employers in interviews. Employers want to know you will adapt, so be ready to tell them how you adapted during your experience with pandemic learning.
Teamwork. You must work as part of a team. However now, consider not only traditional teams but also virtual teams. I can tell you when my teaching and staff role got moved fully online last March, I relied on my team more than ever before. I work in a team environment every day, but when virtual was all we knew, teamwork became vital for not only my success but the success of my students, co-workers, and ultimately the institution. I know students hate group projects, but group projects are the closest things to the "real" workforce some students experience. Take group work seriously so you can learn how to excel in a group setting. How do you work in a team (both traditionally and virtually)? Are you reliable? Are you a leader or a follower (both are great)? Do you manage your time wisely so you can brainstorm, work, and revise? Being part of a team was always part of the workforce, so be ready to work in teams traditionally and virtually.
Technology skills. As I am sure many of you have seen, technology is becoming an extension of all work types now. It is not enough now to say you can work the Microsoft Office Suite and can type quickly. Companies need to know that you can manage technology in real ways, especially when you are not in the office. I would suggest students take an entry-level computer class at their organization as an elective, at the very least, to have some traditional training in all things tech. If your institution does not offer computer courses, I would suggest taking a free online course to earn a certificate of some kind. Students want to list real, tangible, and legitimate computer knowledge on their resumes to make them competitive.
What experience really stands out on Director Strategic Communications resumes?
Stacie Shain: To me, real-world experience always sets one graduate apart from others. There is also plenty of research that supports this.** Any experience a student can gain doing real projects for real organizations is a bonus because it shows students can translate what they have learned in a classroom to a project for a business or nonprofit. It shows students can do the work when there is more than a course grade on the line and when many people will see their work and not only a professor or classmates.
In our program, all majors must complete at least one internship, and we encourage our students to complete more than one so they get different experiences. This not only builds their resumes and hones their skills but also allows them to learn what they like - or don't like - doing. Some students have been set on working in a particular field only to change their minds after an internship and decide they want to do something else.
Our marketing communication minors are required to take a practicum in which they work for a student-run agency doing work for area nonprofits. They are responsible for the client meetings, production, deadlines and client satisfaction. The projects range from graphic design to writing to social media planning to website design to video production. All of their work will be used by the organizations, so having these projects in their portfolios and on their resume showcases exactly what they can do. The students earn credit and get to show the work in their portfolios, and the nonprofits do not pay for the projects. It's a true win-win situation. Students may complete more than one semester in the practicum, and that gives them a wide range of work samples in their portfolio. I've known several students who had jobs before graduation, and they all said their work for clients helped them get the job because they already had professional experience.
Internships and working for a student-run agency will help students build those soft skills, too. They must collaborate, they must learn to work in a team setting, they must solve problems as they arise, and they must think critically about the projects and how they will complete them. Research shows that students with hard skills will get interviews, but students with soft skills will get the job and keep it ** because businesses value soft skills and not every applicant has them.