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Job outlook for mass communications instructors in the United States
Are mass communications instructor jobs in demand?
Mass Communications Instructor job and salary trends over time
Mass Communications Instructor jobs over time
Mass Communications Instructor job growth rate over time
| Year | # Of Jobs | % Of Population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 449 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 468 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 479 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 479 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 473 | 0.00% |
Average mass communications instructor salary over time
Mass Communications Instructor salary by year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $55,636 | $26.75 | +0.6% |
| 2024 | $55,323 | $26.60 | +2.5% |
| 2023 | $53,976 | $25.95 | +3.6% |
| 2022 | $52,096 | $25.05 | +1.3% |
| 2021 | $51,414 | $24.72 | +3.5% |
Mass Communications Instructor jobs by state
Most common states for mass communications instructors
| Rank | State | Population | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 232 | 33% |
| 2 | Delaware | 961,939 | 178 | 19% |
| 3 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 94 | 16% |
| 4 | Vermont | 623,657 | 92 | 15% |
| 5 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,151 | 14% |
| 6 | Alaska | 739,795 | 100 | 14% |
| 7 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 724 | 13% |
| 8 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 136 | 13% |
| 9 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 98 | 13% |
| 10 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 104 | 12% |
| 11 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 737 | 11% |
| 12 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 637 | 11% |
| 13 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 443 | 11% |
| 14 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,059 | 10% |
| 15 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 983 | 10% |
| 16 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 493 | 10% |
| 17 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 132 | 10% |
| 18 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 103 | 10% |
| 19 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 168 | 9% |
| 20 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 120 | 9% |
Mass Communications Instructor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of mass communications instructor experts
Texas Wesleyan University
Hope College
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
University of Maryland Baltimore County
Angelo State University
Villanova University
Western Oregon University
Troy University
Loyola University Chicago
Shippensburg University
Menlo College
Portland State University
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
University of Indianapolis
University of Utah
Furman University
University of Rhode Island
Arkansas Tech University
Liberty University
King's College
Dr. Kay Colley
Faculty Assembly Chair, Department Chair, ProfessorTexas Wesleyan University
Mass Communication Department
What skills stand out on Mass Communications Instructor resumes?
Dr. Kay Colley: For recent graduates, skills that stand out are curiosity, listening, writing, multimedia editing, website design, and analytics, as well as social media storytelling. Attention to detail is also a very important skill. For faculty---data analytics, multimedia storytelling, social media storytelling and analytics, attention to detail.
What soft skills should all Mass Communications Instructors possess?
Dr. Kay Colley: Teamwork, confidence, and networking are soft skills that are important for most fields today but very important in journalism.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Mass Communications Instructors?
Dr. Kay Colley: Working with technology today is so very important for journalism, but the basics of good, solid reporting and editing are always the most important hard skills in journalism and most of mass communication.
What skills will help Mass Communications Instructors earn the most?
Dr. Kay Colley: The skills that will help you earn the most money are data analysis, coding, and website design and maintenance. Those require the most specialized skills of a job candidate and are often difficult to find in combination with good storytelling skills.
What skills stand out on Mass Communications Instructor resumes?
Dawn DeWitt-Brinks: When I look at a resume, I am not just looking for a list of skills. I am looking for the application of skills. I am looking for internship experiences or past job experiences that demonstrate hard and soft skill development and application. I believe that the best predictor of future performance is past performance. If you want to be a Communication Skills Instructor, I would recommend starting as an intern - which will help build your skillset under the guidance of someone already working in the profession.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Mass Communications Instructors?
Dawn DeWitt-Brinks: One growing area within the profession is teaching students/clients how to communicate effectively using technology. Presenting live and pre-recorded webinars and leading effective online meetings requires technical skills and knowledge of computers and software. As a Communication Skills Instructor, you need to teach the soft skills of presenting effectively online, but you also need to teach the technical skills of using the equipment and software and how to troubleshoot when problems with technology arise.
What general advice would you give to a Mass Communications Instructor?
Dr. Kristen Christman Ph.D.: I would advise them to pay attention to the the work they are doing so they can focus on skills they want to further develop as they move along in their career. I am also a big believer in mentors and finding people who are doing work that you are interested in and/or someone in a leadership position that could mentor you in your career. It also may take graduates several jobs or opportunities before they find a position or place that they feel fulfilled and challenged in a way that allows them to imagine themselves in that position for a significant period of time.
Dr. Elisabeth Arévalo-Guerrero Ph.D.
Senior LecturerUniversity of Maryland Baltimore County
Department of Modern Languages, Linguistics, and Intercultural Communication
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Mass Communications Instructors?
Dr. Elisabeth Arévalo-Guerrero Ph.D.: Definitely, but the impact comes in both negative and positive ways.
Many of our current students are facing extraordinary physical, emotional, psychological, and economic challenges, to name a few, that have delayed or at least made it more difficult to meet the expected graduation deadlines. Another dimension of its impact is that, due to the cancellation or postponement of study abroad programs, which has forced certain programs to waive requirements, students have been unable to pursue certain international research interests or have missed out on the chance to obtain a scholarship for graduate school abroad. This isn't even to mention the impossibility for many international students to travel to the U.S. While some have struggled with online learning, technology fatigue, lack of motivation, tiredness, limitations in recourses, job loss, and changes in their daily life (among many others, including those who got sick), others have seen their responsibilities shifting tremendously as they became the breadwinners for their families. Moreover, the impact has drawn attention to a bigger gap between socially, racially and economically disadvantages communities.
However, there are positive aspects resulting from the current situation. Students have become more resilient, understanding, creative, flexible, and, most of all, better at supporting to each other during this period of distance learning. Students found themselves overcoming challenges at all levels, not only in technology, but in terms of time management, finding alternative resources and creative ways to complete tasks or assignments, communicating with classmates and professors as well as working collaboratively across a virtual modality. This situation resembles current virtual work settings that are facing similar challenges while working remotely. The disposition and resilience to face challenges definitely makes a difference.
In addition, virtual learning (either synchronously or asynchronously) has fostered the development of skills that will endure as a result of positive learning outcomes such as participating in virtual collaboration that goes beyond our classroom walls. For example, many students have had the opportunity to experience virtual mobility in their courses when their professors collaborated with faculty at other institutions, both nationally or internationally, to design course projects that engage students in teleconferencing/telecollaborations, also known as Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), or virtual conversation partners in foreign language programs. This type of virtual international collaborations is encouraged across campuses more than ever before, in order to encourage internationalizing the curriculum in lieu of the impossibility to study abroad during the pandemic. Building international, intercultural learning communities has been one of the most positive outcomes of this pandemic that I hope will contribute to more empathetic and competent global citizens.
What type of skills will young Mass Communications Instructors need?
Dr. Elisabeth Arévalo-Guerrero Ph.D.: The type of skills young graduates will need when they enter the workforce are resilience, flexibility, multi-tasking, problem-solving, team collaboration, written and oral communicative skills (in native and foreign languages), effective technological literacy, self-reliance, and ability to overcome obstacles.
Overall, specific skills in their area of expertise or major interest are expected to be accompanied by technical/technological literacy skills (including critical thinking to identify reliable and credible resources), entrepreneurship, leadership, conflict prevention/resolutions skills, and competent (effective and appropriate) communicative skills (orally and written). Hence, our current learning outcomes in most online teaching/learning environments are expected to include opportunities to enhance the development of these skills.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Mass Communications Instructors?
Herman Howard Ph.D.: Yes, fewer positions may be open for graduates this year.
What type of skills will young Mass Communications Instructors need?
Herman Howard Ph.D.: They must know how to sell to become sales professionals in selling themselves.
Michael Bradley
Assistant Teaching ProfessorVillanova University
Communication Department
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Mass Communications Instructors?
Michael Bradley: I believe the coronavirus impact will have a couple of different components. In the short run, as the economy recovers, there will be something of a constricted job market, which will make it harder for graduates to find entry-level positions. As the rebound continues, there will be more opportunities. The second effect will be a longer-term condition. Thanks to the pandemic and the way businesses have changed the way they do things, there could be a changed workplace structure that emphasizes remote working and fewer full-time positions, as companies come up with new ways of handling their business.
What type of skills will young Mass Communications Instructors need?
Michael Bradley: As graduates enter the workplace, they will need several specific skills. The ability to communicate - through the written and spoken word - will be ever more important, and having a facility with presenting ideas through a variety of social media platforms will also be vital. The workplace will also emphasize the ability to complete assignments away from the office, as more and more businesses move to a model with a central location and employees who have a hybrid home-office profile.
What experience really stands out on Mass Communications Instructor resumes?
Michael Bradley: Practical experience that includes documented results is always attractive to employers. It's great to have a strong GPA, but that only really matters when someone is looking for a first job - if then. Employers want to see applicants with skills and experience that are transferrable to the workplace. So, those looking for internships should make sure they will have real responsibility that allows them to demonstrate to potential employers that they will be comfortable and productive in a workplace environment.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Mass Communications Instructor job market given the pandemic?
Dana Schowalter Ph.D.: The unfortunate truth is that it is going to be a tough time to be on the job market. We've already seen job growth slow, and that will likely continue until vaccines are more widely available. Remote work is going to continue to be a prominent part of the labor market as we struggle to contain the virus and long after. Many employees who are able to work from home see value in avoiding the office and their commute, and we've also seen businesses opt not to renew building leases to save money on overhead costs. We're also seeing that technology allows us to do many of our tasks from afar, making it an option that will hopefully ease the burden of commuting to an office for people with accessibility concerns, mental and emotional health hurdles, and for caregivers.
The pandemic has also shown us the value of public education, the need for quality affordable childcare, and the need for more support services for people who are caregivers, as well as the ways our economy has taken for granted the value of unpaid labor performed in the home. Working parents and caregivers are really struggling, and early results show this caregiving burden has impacted women far more than it has impacted men. More women than men have had to leave the labor market to engage in caregiving and to serve as at-home teachers for children, and historically employers have penalized women as they attempt to re-enter the workforce after taking time away for caregiving. We're likely to see exacerbated gender inequality for the foreseeable future.
What Mass Communications Instructor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dana Schowalter Ph.D.: First of all, it is likely that many graduates will experience a period where they are unable to find work, especially in their field of choice. I think it is important that graduates know this is a systemic issue, and one that is not personal. Not having a job during a global pandemic is NOT a sign of your worth as a person, and it is not a commentary on whether or not you will be successful in your life (however you define that). Additionally, we've seen a number of articles about how to emerge from this time with a thick resume, new skills, extra publications, and the like. There are people who experience privilege that will allow them to master new skills. But for most people, we are trying to survive and just don't have the time, energy, and resources available to take on new projects. It is okay to emerge from this time without new skills. Just emerging from this time is an accomplishment that we should all feel proud of, and when we do emerge we'll adjust to the job market in whatever form it takes at that time.
That said, if you do have the time and resources to focus on adding new skills, internships are a great way to take time away from the formal job market but still engage in skill development that will pad your resume. I've seen many internship opportunities fade away due to the pandemic and the difficulty in managing interns in a remote environment. I encourage students to contact companies where they would like to intern and make a pitch that focuses on how the company could benefit from your skills and time. What can you do for them that would make the stress of managing an intern worthwhile?
The number of home-based businesses is also on the rise, and chances are we all know someone who has one. It might be worth partnering with someone whose business could benefit from skills you can bring to the table and creating a portfolio of examples of ways you aided that business.
What general advice would you give to a Mass Communications Instructor?
Dana Schowalter Ph.D.: Be flexible. This is almost certainly not how you thought your graduation and job search would look. Take advantage of opportunities that come your way, even if they weren't the perfect opportunity you envisioned. If you're lucky, you will find something you really like. At the very least, you'll learn which jobs you don't want to do, and that is a surprisingly helpful lesson.
Try your very best not to take the ups and downs of the job market personally. There is a huge tendency to blame individuals who do not have a job - that happens through discrimination against people who are unemployed as they apply for jobs and it happens when we engage in negative self-talk about what it means to not have the job we wanted. We are in a global pandemic and unemployment and underemployment are common. I would encourage people not to personalize this, and to know that things will pick up again when the economy opens up. By that time, things may look very different from a market perspective, and it is also possible that your personal interests will change in no small part due to the experiences you've had in the last year. Be easy on yourself and trust your own instincts.
Stefanie East
Lecturer of Journalism and Communication StudiesTroy University
Hall School of Journalism and Communication
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Mass Communications Instructor job market given the pandemic?
Stefanie East: There are several trends we are seeing this year, thanks to the pandemic. Unfortunately, many students are unable to find internships because of Covid-19. Students, therefore, are getting creative and searching for virtual internships. However, that does not always give them the hands-on experience they need in their chosen career field. But it looks like "virtual" may be how things stay for a while – many companies are realizing that workers can be productive from home and they do not need them to come to an office, which in turn saves the company money when it comes to rent, overhead, etc. For the foreseeable future, working from home may be much more common than it ever was in years past. Therefore, it is vital that students, as well as current members of the workforce, learn how to utilize proper video and online conferencing skills in a professional manner (while still understanding that unexpected appearances by kids and pets are going to happen!)
What Mass Communications Instructor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Stefanie East: Make connections whenever you can! You never when someone you just met might be looking for a person with the exact skills that you may have. Also, find ways to market yourself - whether it's through social media or some other means. It's okay to be your own cheerleader! In addition, don't be afraid to try new things. You may have your mind set on one particular career field, but by broadening your horizons and exploring different areas, you may find something that you are even more passionate about.
What general advice would you give to a Mass Communications Instructor?
Stefanie East: Never be afraid to do other duties outside of your job description. In addition, treat everyone in your company with the respect they deserve - not just the CEOs or people above you in the chain of command. How you treat your coworkers will follow you throughout your career. It takes everyone to make a company or workplace successful, so make sure you treat everyone with respect. Also, be careful about what you post on social media. You may think that your social media is private and therefore you can say or post anything you want to. However, you always represent your employer, and just remember that social media can help, as well as harm, your career.
David Kamerer Ph.D.
Program Director, MS in Global Strategic Communication, Associate ProfessorLoyola University Chicago
School of Communication
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Mass Communications Instructor job market given the pandemic?
David Kamerer Ph.D.: When companies or agencies see a loss of business, they might downsize, so there are fewer jobs right now. But every organization needs to get the work done, so it's not all bad news. In particular, this can be good news for younger talent with strong digital skills. I also see an increased willingness for companies to accept virtual work – and overall this transition has gone very well. I expect a more relaxed view about location in the future.
What Mass Communications Instructor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
David Kamerer Ph.D.: It's crucial to keep working, to keep climbing. If you're not working, you should continue to network, offer your services to a non-profit organization, and develop your skills. This is a good time to earn certifications, particularly in digital. I particularly recommend the Google Analytics Individual Qualification, the certification for Google Ads, and Facebook Blueprint. All these certifications offer excellent and free online preparation materials. At Loyola we've had record enrollment in our graduate program in Global Strategic Communication and in Digital Media and Storytelling. Many of these students will continue to seek employment as they work on their degrees.
What general advice would you give to a Mass Communications Instructor?
David Kamerer Ph.D.: Never forget that you are your first client, the one that you'll have for life. So utilize the principles of public relations to build and extend your personal brand. Every interaction is a touchpoint that shapes peoples' perceptions of you. It's essential that young professionals be able to take a leadership role in the digital area. At the same time, every employer expects young hires to be good writers and to understand what I call the "classical" part of the field - things like campaign planning, building measurement in, and bringing creative ideas to the table.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Mass Communications Instructor job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Dhiman Chattopadhyay Ph.D.: Several organizations (including media brands) will realize the lower overhead costs, and often greater efficiency, associated with the remote working or work-from-home model. As a result, I expect several work roles to become hybrid or even fully remote in the years ahead. People who don't have to drive an hour to work may be able to devote more energy and time to their work. They will save on gas bills and time, while organizations save on overhead costs. Whether this will also translate to more productive labor is yet to be seen.
Another trend I foresee is an even bigger shift towards online jobs within the mass media industry. More jobs will open up in web content development, online writing and designing, blog management, strategic communications, and audio and video journalism on the web.
What skills stand out on Mass Communications Instructor resumes?
Dr. Dhiman Chattopadhyay Ph.D.: There are two aspects to this. On the one hand, more and more organizations will search for communication specialists who are good with technology and effective story-telling techniques. This will translate to potential employees who can tailor content for the web and social media; who have excellent video scripting, editing, and uploading skills; and who can create effective content for multiple target audiences over different web-based platforms. These are relatively newer skills. Students who take courses in, for example, social media data analysis, promotional publication design, strategic communication techniques, digital storytelling, and video production will have a shoe in the door.
As organizations resize and more entrepreneurial ventures and start-ups dot the media landscape, employers will expect newer employees to take on greater responsibility and even leadership roles and to communicate to and with a diverse, global audience. Media schools traditionally do not teach leadership or media management classes. Some, like Shippensburg, do. Students who take courses in subjects around media management, media diversity, or global strategic communication will be seen as more employable.
Having said that, traditional qualities such as news and feature writing skills, good grammar, good public relations and network building abilities, and being able to deliver perfect news releases will always be much valued skills on any resume.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Mass Communications Instructors to find work opportunities?
Dr. Dhiman Chattopadhyay Ph.D.: There are larger media markets within the U.S. such as Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Philadelphia, or Houston. These centers will continue to have more opportunities for graduates. However, the competition will also be tougher at all these centers. The good news is that several smaller towns are seeing a growth in the media and communication sector. New PR firms are opening in cities across Pennsylvania - smaller TV channels, radio stations, and news websites that focus on community journalism will continue to employ fresh graduates. A degree in journalism and communication is a genuinely flexible degree.
Almost every organization needs people with good written and verbal communication skills. Some have full-fledged communication teams; others may need just web content managers, content writers, videographers, digital production experts, public relations managers, external communication personnel, or social media specialists. A degree in communication and journalism gives you just those skills. What you choose to focus on, what your strong areas are, will ultimately determine where you go and what job you take up.
Angela Schmiede Ph.D.
Vice President for Student SuccessMenlo College
Center for Academic and Professional Success
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Mass Communications Instructor job market given the pandemic?
Angela Schmiede Ph.D.: The pandemic has given companies a greater lens into the value of flexibility in work arrangements. As work-from-home arrangements gain greater acceptance, job seekers will see fewer restrictions with regard to geographic location, transportation, and fixed work schedules. The pandemic has also highlighted the importance of employer-sponsored healthcare benefits, which means that job seekers might be less willing to take contract positions. Regardless of job role, graduating seniors will need to focus their efforts on industries that have proven to be more pandemic- and recession-proof.
As with any job market and workplace trend, job seekers should keep in mind that the trends are likely to shift again. For example, as companies shift to greater allowances for working from home, what will be the unintended consequences of that decision long-term with regard to company culture and productivity?
What Mass Communications Instructor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Angela Schmiede Ph.D.: I recommend that graduates analyze the skills that are most in demand for their desired position. Graduates can look at job descriptions that are a good match for their goals and interests and keep a running list of top skills required for those positions, noting where there are themes and patterns. Conducting informational interviews can also be a great source of information on which skills to develop. Online resources for developing technical skills are becoming more accessible and are often available for free, such as Salesforce Trailhead.
Internships are one of the best avenues for hands-on skill development. In addition to gaining technical and functional skills, interns will also gain key workplace skills such as time management and communication. At Menlo College, our students are still seeing success in securing internships during the pandemic and leveraging those experiences into more permanent positions.
What general advice would you give to a Mass Communications Instructor?
Angela Schmiede Ph.D.: These are challenging and uncertain times, and there are two important things that graduates can do now to build resilience in their careers:
- Continue to build skills and knowledge that develop both specific and general areas of expertise. If a company needs to downsize, employees most likely to be retained will be those who have a specialized, in-demand skill set, as well as those who can flex to cover other job functions.
- Negotiate your salary. I'm always surprised by the number of new graduates who don't negotiate their total compensation package, which will impact their ability to leverage a higher salary down the road. If a company is unable to increase their salary offer, negotiate other aspects of the total compensation package such as professional development, and set a specific timeline for when performance can be reviewed for a merit increase in the future.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Mass Communications Instructor job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Jeffrey Robinson: Even before the pandemic, organizations valued the ability to manage, motivate, and inspire small groups or teams. More than ever, during the pandemic, organizations are looking for candidates with the necessary skills in leadership, effective public presentation, and interpersonal sensitivity.
What skills stand out on Mass Communications Instructor resumes?
Dr. Jeffrey Robinson: Internships. Honors theses or other projects demonstrate that a student is independently motivated to engage and complete a rigorous task and a good writer. Courses such as Intercultural Communication demonstrate the ability to value and effectively communicate with diverse populations. Of course, the grade-point average is still highly valued and considered a critical index of competence.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Mass Communications Instructors to find work opportunities?
Dr. Jeffrey Robinson: Students with a Communication degree should feel confident that their skills are generally applicable across all job sectors. Virtually every organization has positions available involving communication in-reach or outreach, including public relations, marketing, quality control, etc. At least according to statistics, to increase their salary potential, many students will go on to pursue some advanced degree after their BA/BS, such as a 2- or 4-year degree (and there are many types of grants, scholarships, and awards that make this financially possible for students across the socioeconomic spectrum). Students should keep this in mind as they graduate to set themselves up for success in the future.
What experience really stands out on Mass Communications Instructor resumes?
Staci Kuntzman: Because most employers prefer to hire someone who already has some experience, internships are obviously something that offers that opportunity to students. However, another issue related to showing your experience on your resume is that employers want to see examples of what you've done or how you've used a skill. You can say you are an excellent communicator, but you must be able to illustrate "how" on your resume by using job descriptions that describe not only what you did but what skills you used/developed to effectively perform the job.
How do you envision technology impacting Mass Communications Instructors in the next 5 years?
Staci Kuntzman: I think our industry will be impacted by technology for more than the next five years, but with regard to how, I think, one of the more obvious ways, is working in physical office spaces. For industries like communication, where work can be done from anywhere, employees will surely wish to keep working from home to the extent possible.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Mass Communications Instructors?
Staci Kuntzman: I think that the pandemic will leave a lasting impression on all of us, including recent or soon-to-be graduates. While I'm not sure if you'd like a follow-up to that answer, as an encouragement to our graduates, they should take comfort in knowing that they have learned the skills needed to be successful, at life and at finding a job, and having "survived" the pandemic, both literally and metaphorically, they have learned many skills they may not have learned otherwise.
Whitney Tipton Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Indianapolis
Department of Communication
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Mass Communications Instructor job market given the pandemic?
Whitney Tipton Ph.D.: Some of our most basic, but critical, workplace practices have drastically changed as a result of Covid-19. As we move forward, some of these changes will become our new normal. We can expect changes in hiring procedures and in flex-time and work-from-home (WFH) policies.
Zoom was already commonplace for job interviews pre-pandemic, but in the future, higher standards for interviewing and presenting content virtually will have been established as a result of Covid-19. Job applicants should be prepared for this not only in terms of their self-presentation but also lighting, background, and screen-sharing standards.
From the employer's perspective, the pandemic has taught us that having all team members physically present at all times is not only unnecessary but potentially counterproductive. The ability to hire employees who can work from anywhere will increase the competitiveness of the hiring process but also offer employees more flexibility once hired.
The potential cost savings of remote work are still being explored, but it's expected that these savings will create additional WFH opportunities. Employees will also expect employers to offer flex-time or remote work options that fit their busy lives because they know it can be done and done well.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Mass Communications Instructors in the next 3-5 years?
Whitney Tipton Ph.D.: We can certainly expect Zoom and Google Meet to hang around and additional competitors to enter this space. For job applicants in the communication field, an understanding of SEO and content management tools like Sprout Social or Hootsuite will be critical. I encourage current students and those in the job market to take advantage of the many free opportunities for relevant certifications, such as online project management, Google analytics, and Adobe Creative Cloud apps.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Mass Communications Instructors in the next 5 years?
Whitney Tipton Ph.D.: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that job opportunities in public relations/communication will increase faster than average over the next decade. We can expect that these jobs will require increasingly interdisciplinary skills, considering the intersection of communication, marketing, digital analytics, and content management/creation.
What type of skills will young Mass Communications Instructors need?
Cameron Vakilian: What I hear from employers is that they expect graduates to be adaptable and be open to learning new information. They don't expect recent graduates to be experts or make significant changes in their first professional year. They mostly expect them to be open to learning and taking feedback well. They hope to do training and want students to be quick to learn, adapt to challenges, and take the initiative when needed, and not fully expect everything will always be laid out for them. (If that makes sense).
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Mass Communications Instructors to find work opportunities?
Cameron Vakilian: It depends on the area of interest. I’ve seen students find work all over the country. I wouldn’t say there is one place in particular in the United States where there are more opportunities. But in journalism, students will typically find many big city options if they are open to moving (New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, etc.)
How do you envision technology impacting Mass Communications Instructors in the next 5 years?
Cameron Vakilian: Technology will be massive in this field and has already dramatically changed the area. Journalism has increasingly moved from print to digital, and students need to have good social media skills, web design, etc. As more and more technology shifts occur (for example, the rise of TikTok and other social media platforms), I think you will see employers wanting recent graduates to help propel their company to stay up-to-date with technology and changing consumer needs. The pandemic will also have a significant impact as the country becomes more equipped for remote needs.
What general advice would you give to a Mass Communications Instructor?
Brandon Inabinet: Our major numbers continue to soar. At our small liberal arts university, having over 200 majors is rare. We had a 25% spike increase in majors during the pandemic. At the same time, I’ve not heard of students finding difficulty with getting employment.
Internships certainly had to adjust and were often paused as we switched to virtual, and very few companies had the time to oversee extra personnel through the pivot; our international internships, in Brussels and Edinburgh, are on hold. But now that the new normal has come, most opportunities—internship and career—are back on track, especially marketing, journalism, advertising, social media content strategy, and yes, even event planning with a virtual focus. In terms of application and interviewing, it’s just more important than ever to stress digital punctuality, being a self-starter without the need for oversight, and deadline orientation. With additional childcare responsibilities and stressors for employers, nobody wants to hire a fresh college graduate who lacks skills, other-awareness, or are emotionally needy. So we’re trying to give students all the digital skills and core communication aptitudes so that the transition is seamless.
What type of skills will young Mass Communications Instructors need?
Brandon Inabinet: Our basic focus is strategic communication skills that include listening and clear attention to detail, strong and confident oral communication skills based on audience research, and critical judgment to design better messages. Beyond those, we do expect technological skills to be cultivated-visual and media literacy in working with Adobe and other software to create visuals, webpages, podcasts, and persuasive video. Our department is in the Humanities, so one area we did leave out sometimes is working in spreadsheets with numbers, so I've tried to incorporate that into more courses-just simple data sorting tasks.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Mass Communications Instructors to find work opportunities?
Brandon Inabinet: We send our graduates to Nashville and Atlanta, as well as New York. But actually the best market is in our own backyard here in Greenville (and similar cities outside the typical music, sports, and entertainment hubs). We’r,e a hub for international business and now have been identified as a “ZoomTown” during the pandemic, a place that is good for working from home: comfortable to find housing, big enough to have good web access and food delivery, but small enough to give quick access to the outdoors and resource surpluses.
How do you envision technology impacting Mass Communications Instructors in the next 5 years?
Brandon Inabinet: They certainly have the flexibility and exceptional online experience, but that's really all of us right now. I guess I'd just say that we professors have had to drastically shift and update our curriculum and teaching methods, even those (unlike myself) who were reluctant to bring technology into spaces like liberal arts and humanities classrooms. So students have learned on virtual platforms and generated virtual content at a pace unseen before. In previous times, we'd mix those digital components with your standard in-class tests, lectures, papers, and discussions. Now, the digital components lead the way, and what little testing or lecturing we do, they are reduced down to shorter YouTube videos, quick online quizzes, and Zoom breakout rooms. So I think the students will be the first group not to see such a stark contrast between "what it's like in college" and "what it's like in the real world.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Mass Communications Instructor job market given the pandemic?
Yianni Kourakis: In the media world, you will see more and more people working from home, which has been the case since the pandemic began. As viewers are becoming more accustomed to Zooming interviews and reporters and anchors reporting from home, there will be less of an incentive to bring those people into studios, until things get back to normal. Media, like in many industries, will travel less. More interviews and stories can be done virtually and without traveling across the country. You will see more reporters or talking heads freelance or providence analysis and opinion for various outlets from their home.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Mass Communications Instructors in the next 3-5 years?
Yianni Kourakis: I think reporters, or the general public, will become much more adept at shooting and editing video with the basic advances in the iPhone. Lighting and audio enhancements for iPhone use will continue to improve.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Mass Communications Instructors in the next 5 years?
Yianni Kourakis: I think there will be more jobs in totality but fewer good jobs. With the expansion of media, blogs, podcasts, and digital platforms, many people are creating their own jobs or work in the media business, but the high paying and coveted big jobs will become less available.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Mass Communications Instructor job market given the pandemic?
Sam Strasner: The New York Times reported, early in the pandemic, that 36,000 journalism jobs had been lost in the United States. Poynter observed that later in summer 2020, that figure does not account for freelancers and others who count on their journalism skills supplement their regular income. The rate at which those jobs return and the quality of the opportunities will most likely reflect the pandemic's overall economic recovery. A more robust economy will allow for more advertising expenditures by companies and more subscriptions by consumers. Through it all, the quality will remain paramount. Those who can tell compelling and accurate stories that resonate with an audience will gain access to the best career options.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Mass Communications Instructors in the next 5 years?
Sam Strasner: I think it depends upon how one defines the field. The data says we are in the middle of a 10-year period that will see a 10.1 percent decline in journalism jobs. I noticed that trend early in my career and pivoted to public relations. Our society needs journalists. It is essential that we have people who are willing to, and have the skills necessary to, do real reporting. I believe there will always be a need for that. The question is how prevalent that need will be. As a result, my recommendation to someone pursuing a journalism degree today would be to focus their electives in some combination of digital marketing, public relations, or another closely related field based on communication. That subtle diversification in skills could be the key to a new graduate getting that first job and beginning a career journey toward whatever their ultimate dream might be.
Sheri Parmelee Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorLiberty University
School of Communication & the Arts
What type of skills will young Mass Communications Instructors need?
Sheri Parmelee Ph.D.: Young graduates will need more than book learning, which is why Liberty's School of Communication and the Arts is such a good source of hands-on work. Students get practical experience in dealing with scenarios set up to mimic the real-world experience in our classes. In some courses, they work with actual business clients. They will need to communicate their thoughts clearly, speak well in front of their peers, and offer excellent organizational skills to potential employers. They will be required to participate in a world where technology is at the forefront, all while responding with a Christian world view. I believe that our coursework teaches them these much-valued skills and puts them far above other applicants for employment.
How do you envision technology impacting Mass Communications Instructors in the next 5 years?
Sheri Parmelee Ph.D.: I believe that technology will continue to have a significant impact on our field. To that end, we are constantly revamping our course materials, always seeking the most relevant and current information. I scan for the newest information available every week so that my students have the "latest and greatest" technological ideas to discuss. We do course redesigns every year, and sometimes more often when advances in information make that necessary.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Mass Communications Instructors to find work opportunities?
Scott Weiland Ph.D.: Northeastern Pennsylvania is a hot spot, given that there is an exodus from major metropolitan markets due to the pandemics and our proximity to such markets. Our Mass Communications graduates are skilled in working remotely and are positioned well for such opportunities.
How do you envision technology impacting Mass Communications Instructors in the next 5 years?
Scott Weiland Ph.D.: There will be a continued emphasis on the remote workplace where workers will need to work independently. Also, changes in technology, which is nothing new from our perspective, will continue to mandate that Mass Communications professionals stay current. Ongoing professional development remains a must.
What type of skills will young Mass Communications Instructors need?
Scott Weiland Ph.D.: We look to create what we call "full-stack employees and interns" who have robust skill sets, including strong oral communication. Each year there are a number of studies that are reported that corroborate our approach. Here's some info that can help. Students graduate with a degree in Mass Communications. Within the program, there are four tracks of study, Broadcast, and Social Media, Multiplatform Journalism, Visual and Brand Communications, and Video Game Design. Students take at least four courses from one track and then take courses from the other three, which helps round out their education.