By Abdul Mondal
Communication is one of the most in-demand professions in the world. Around the globe, more and more economies are moving away from traditional agriculture and manufacturing and beginning to specialize in a wide array of service-based industries. Often, heightened communication skills make the difference between a good organization and a great one. Indeed, the way that you convey your message is almost as crucial today as the service you are providing. This is true in all walks of life, from business and industry to education and public administration, so it is perhaps no surprise that the need for experts in communication shows no sign of abating.
In the meantime, the spread of the internet and social media has also shifted much of the commercial, marketing, and advertising worlds online. Due to the drive of technology, communications is also now one of the most fast-paced fields. It is changing things in almost all related business models at a rapid rate. In this article, we will look at how to find the right specialization in communications. And why it is crucial to do so, or ways in which you can deepen your expertise in vital areas. In addition, we will also examine how the introduction of new technology, such as AI and Chat GPT, could affect future careers. They could also help shape your career path.
A Broad Spectrum
What is communication? At its most basic level, it is about using a variety of different mediums. For example, spoken and written words, images, and visual messaging, as well as listening. It will help convey an idea or concept to another person or group of people. These areas are also studied on a purely academic level. In the future, they will apply their communication skills to achieve a particular goal for some kind of organization. Communications can cover a wide array of professions and areas of work. It could range from film, media, politics, and public relations to advertising, marketing, digital content, and organizational and corporate communication.
Just as with any other field, people who become involved in communications usually start out with a fairly broad spectrum of interests and knowledge. In general, however, we can say that they tend to have a passion for communicating ideas and concepts. They also help build up the brands of companies or organizations. Some people do take a more academic approach to communications. They might want to investigate the meaning of communication or how it functions. For the vast majority of people working in communications, it is a highly practical career with a wide range of applications.
A Recipe For Success
So, what does it take to be a good communications specialist? One key skill required is to be a great storyteller. Whether you are working in the film industry, for a newspaper, or on a marketing campaign, the ability to write or produce a convincing storyline that can interest people in some way is a great gift, though it is also something that can be learned. After all, there are similar aspects to all good stories, and with the right amount of practice and instruction, all of us can become talented storytellers.
Naturally, to be a good communicator, it is also essential to be a good listener. If you want to know what customers want, for example, then you need to work hard to understand them. This is why, often, an ability to comprehend customers and shape your message accordingly to make it more effective and increase returns is one of the most important aspects of a good communications specialist. It also helps to have good knowledge of all available options, from focus groups and in-depth conversations to digital analytics and customer satisfaction surveys. To put it simply, data and customer feedback tell their own story, and understanding it is of tremendous value.
How To Build Your Communications Career
In addition, it is also a good idea to build up a portfolio of your work so that you can present your best work to any prospective employees. As discussed above, communications is a highly practical field, and often, a few examples of your previous work will speak far more convincingly than a resume ever could. Whenever you create a piece of work that you are really proud of, or that has been genuinely successful, save a screenshot, file, or URL so you can show it to others at a later date. One other crucial aspect of a good communication specialist is diversification. In most industries, you will be expected not only to be an expert in what you do right now but also to be flexible enough to pivot across to another area when change or transformation arrives.
A Time To Choose
At some point, it makes sense to ‘streamline’ your career or to pick an area of expertise where you want to become truly proficient. In the field of communication, there are essentially two forms of specialization, which we can loosely describe as ‘what’ you do and ‘where’ you do it. The ‘what’ refers to the kind of tasks that you perform on a daily basis. In communication, potential areas of specialization include anything from corporate digital marketing and advertising expertise to visual communication, strategic communication, and even journalism. Then there is the ‘where’, meaning all the different types of places that you might go on to work in, such as multinational companies, NGOs, public administration or even the education sphere.
As we all know, specialization can be an excellent way to distinguish yourself from the crowd and build a more lucrative and durable career in your chosen profession. This is even more true today, as the rapid development of AI capabilities puts a whole series of more general, non-specific work under threat.
While it is true that advanced technology can make our work easier, it also has the capability to reduce the amount of work that needs to be done, so it makes sense to develop true expertise in your field to ensure you are truly indispensable. Regardless of the specific area you work in, whether it is content marketing, brand creation, copywriting, or data analytics, the more generic your services are, the more easily they can be replaced with automation or another cheaper alternative. On the other hand, the more specialized your knowledge, the more valuable and indispensable you will become.
Decisions, Decisions
So, how do you decide what to specialize in? Just as with any other branch of expertise, this is no easy question. The first best step is to explore a range of different fields to see which one you find best suits your skills. There are some basic rules that might give you an indication. If you have a passion for words, you might find you are more suited to content creation and copywriting. But if you are more analytical, you might be more inclined toward a career in data analysis for online marketing campaigns.
Just imagine that someone has completed an undergraduate degree in communications and marketing. He/She is preparing to start a job in the commercial department of a small startup. In those first few years of exposure to the world of communications, they might study a wide range of different areas. They may also carry out many different tasks. They could enjoy many aspects of their work. However, they may begin to find that they have a real talent for communicating with a wide range of people. They may also be able to help to dictate strategic goals.
In addition, they may also have a big passion for space in their spare time. In this particular case, they might decide that their ultimate career aim is to work in the communications department of a major space agency or a similar organization. After having made this decision, it makes sense for them to do all they can to expand their knowledge of the industry. They can also develop practical capabilities that can eventually make them a prime candidate for this kind of role.
Education As A Path To Specialization
Naturally, one of the best ways to develop your in-depth knowledge of a certain branch of communications is through education. To a certain extent, you can do this independently. There is a wealth of books available and information online, as well as some online and in-person intensive courses that can provide you with guidance.
Alternatively, many people choose to enroll in an advanced degree course. After all, a degree not only offers a bonafide qualification that offers clear evidence of your commitment to your chosen path but also provides you with a sound theoretical background, specific knowledge, and an array of valuable skills that can prepare you for a specialized career.
While there is some scope for focusing on one area of expertise in certain undergraduate degrees, master’s degrees typically provide the best opportunity for greater specialization. Today, many courses are available entirely online, which is a great option if you are either already working or have no wish to relocate to another city to continue your education.
Institutions, such as St Bonaventure University (SBU), provide several degrees related to communication. It can help you develop a unique skill set to put you on the right path to your chosen career. By completing an SBU Masters in Communication online, you can choose from two specializations — integrated marketing communication or content marketing — depending on which one you think will suit your current interests and future career path.
Potential Paths
With both specializations, students have the chance to learn about conceptual and strategic thinking and visual and written communication, as well as to develop a deeper understanding of global business topics. The Online Master of Arts in Communication with a Content Marketing specialization also enables you to focus on creating strategies, content, and optimization plans in relation to content used to promote brands and organizations, with a strong focus on social media marketing, idea generation, visual design, creativity, and familiarity with emerging technologies.
The specialization in Integrated Marketing Communication, on the other hand, focuses more on a combination of creativity and analysis. Students learn to create a vision through the help of targeted research, designing innovative concepts and strategies for maximizing ROI. You will have the opportunity to learn how to create a winning strategy and design. You will also examine the role of public relations and communication in a global market. This will help you develop a thorough understanding of digital marketing strategies. Which will, in turn, improve your visual and communication design skills in practical applications.
Stay Flexible
There is still plenty of scope for developing and diversifying at a later date. Even if someone has completed a degree in a particular field or begun working in a certain profession. This is particularly true today, when, as we mentioned above, technology is revolutionizing industries at a dizzying pace.
Think back to what a career in marketing meant only 30 or even 20 years ago. The main channels for advertising products and informing the general public of a new idea were paper or phone-based. Most major communication campaigns take place through a combination of print media and television. It also included radio advertising, leafleting, billboards, and posters.
While these mediums are still in use today, there is no question that digital content is now increasingly dominant. Anybody working in the communication industry is almost duty-bound to have built up at least adequate knowledge. Not only in social media and digital advertising but also data analytics to funnel marketing.
Soon, we see a large number of experts appear who can offer companies their expertise across a range of platforms. Some of them are hired because they are young and have grown up with such technology. Others are effectively trained from the start in this field. You will find people who have taken their previous skills and expertise and applied them to a new one.
Built For Leadership?
In addition to lateral moves across disciplines and industries, many people will also experience vertical moves throughout their careers. Leadership is another kind of specialization. Some fields, such as business administration, might point very directly towards a leadership position. But in many communication fields, it can happen more unexpectedly.
Anyone with ambitions of leadership should also make an effort to develop their skills in this area. Fortunately, many degree courses in communication also offer students the chance to examine areas such as strategic planning and execution.
There are also numerous other ways to develop your leadership skills. Many companies offer mentoring programs, where older, more experienced workers will teach less experienced ones about key areas. Any increase in responsibility will also give you the opportunity to put your skills in this area to the test.
Just as with any other aspect of the communications profession, the emphasis is on building your abilities over time. You must stay flexible and take advantage of the opportunities that come your way.
Everyone Has Their Own Pathway
We live in uncertain times, and it is often very difficult to get the balance right. You can earn a significant degree of specialization, which can lead you to excel in a certain area. Or develop a versatile skillset and transferable knowledge so that you are flexible enough to deal with the ever-changing environment. It is entirely possible that many people graduating today will go on to have two, three, or even more specializations. You can then move into related but often varying fields.
Specialization always makes sense if you want to build a durable career. Yes, the medium in which you apply the vital skills, knowledge, and experience you have gained might change. You might even find yourself moving between industries and professions as your career progresses. However, a good copywriter is always effective, whether they are writing for print magazines, SEO content, or social media ads. An expert in marketing data analytics should always be able to identify the key metrics and work out something. That is regardless of whether that product is an IT service, a sports car, or a politician.
The ability to offer something special and unique is a highly valuable proposition. A high degree of specialization in key areas makes you an attractive fit for many organizations. It also gives you a chance to focus on your passions and forge your own pathway.
Read Also:
