Explore career options in communication
Here you can find information on the types of careers and employment roles your communication studies may land you.
You can also discover where to look for job vacancies, as well as professional associations, mentoring and international opportunities.
Opportunities
Communication graduates are specialists who understand the diversity and complexity of the contemporary communication and media landscape and are able to thrive within it. Equipped with a comprehensive set of advanced writing skills, digital media production abilities and the capacity to think laterally and creatively, you'll be positioned to succeed in a wide range of fields, including strategic, corporate and crisis communication, freelance writing and digital media and content creation.
Working alongside and learning from some of the best corporate and organisational communicators, editors, producers, content makers and journalists in the country opens doors to a diverse media career. As a professional strategic communicator, storyteller or media relations professional you'll be set to harness emerging technologies and lead innovation and change in the globalised 21st century communication and media sectors. Completing a major in Journalism provides students with a robust foundation in various aspects of the field, preparing them to uncover stories that can make a significant impact on society.
Career fields
- Public relations and communication consultancies
- Advertising and marketing agencies
- Not-for-profit sector
- Entrepreneurial and start-up organisations
- Health communication
- Education and training
- Event planning and management
- Government communication—local, state or federal
- Technical writing
- Customer relations
- Sales and business development
- Social media moderation and editing
- Television, radio, print online organisations
- Publishing
- Corporate communication and promotions
- Entrepreneurial and start-up organisations
- Film and video production
Employment roles
- Communication officer
- Public relations officer/consultant
- Promotions coordinator
- Social media specialist
- Production assistant
- Marketing and communications officer
- Content writer
- Research assistant
- Market research analyst
- Web development officer
- Sponsorship coordinator
- Digital marketing graduate
- Brand strategist
- Copywriter
- Media producer
- Technical writer
- Customer relations specialist
- Health communication specialist
- Internal communications specialist
- Campaign communications strategist
- Media presenter
- Journalist—television, print or online
Freelancing
Financial management and networking are important aspects of freelancing.
If you are considering freelancing, you may benefit from the services and advice of these organisations:
- Australian Business Register
- business.gov.au
- Business Queensland
- Small Enterprise Association of Australia and New Zealand
- Freeline
Occupation snapshot
Employed
25,500
Annual growth
600
Weekly earnings
$1,842
Part-time share
27%
This data is based on the occupation profile for journalists and other writers, retrieved from the Government's Jobs and Skills Australia website August 2024.
Your employability
In addition to knowledge and skills directly related to your program of study, you will also develop a range of other skills such as teamwork, analytical, communication through academic study, employment, voluntary work, sporting and recreational activities and life experience.
Recognising the value employers place on these skills is an important factor in your graduate job search. You can further develop your employability with these resources:
Vacancies
Information on relevant vacancies can be found in a wide range of sources:
- CareerHub
- Prosple (formerly Grad Australia)
- GradConnection
- Adzuna
- Screen Australia
- Grapevine Jobs
- NSW Government
- Australian Local Government Directory
- Queensland Government jobs
- Queensland Government Graduate Portal
- Seek
- APS Jobs
- Zip recruiter
- Ethical Jobs
- Flex Jobs
Notable alumnus: Flynn McFarlane
Flynn McFarlane is the co-founder and CEO of Gold Coast-based digital agency Arkhi, whose high-profile clients have included teeth-whitening product provider HiSmile, action sports clothing e-tailer SurfStitch, as well as Elite Eleven, Macro Mike, SkinKandy and Living By Design.
Flynn began his career while he was still studying for his Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Arts double degree and worked as a DJ while he built his growing marketing business.
Job application resources
Craft a stand-out resume and cover letter, and learn how to prepare for job interviews.
Approach potential employers
Many work opportunities are not advertised, so we recommend approaching potential employers with the aim of researching their needs and how your skills, experience, interests and qualifications could match theirs.
This is called informational interviewing and will benefit you by:
- clarifying your specific career direction
- enhancing your professional network
- increasing your chances of being offered a job.
Industry outlook
The Your Career website includes helpful information such as job descriptions, employment prospects, average weekly earnings and skills requirements. Every job title in the database has a skills section to help you identify and describe essential skills for your future career.
The My Future website also has job descriptions and a useful career insight section.
The Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching website has up-to-date information on graduate salaries, especially the Graduate Outlook Survey (GOS) National Report, which contains undergraduate salary figures.
More detailed information is available at the Labour Market Insights portal.
Professional associations
Joining a professional association is a great way to interact with people in your field who can assist you to explore your career options and potentially find employment opportunities.
- Communication and Public Relations Australia
- Advertising Council Australia
- Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance
- Community Broadcasting Association of Australia
- Journalism Education and Research Association of Australia
- Australian Press Council
- First Nations Media
- International Public Relations Association
- National Ethnic and Multicultural Broadcasters' Council
- Society of Editors
- Australian Marketing Institute
- Australian Advertising Council
Students are welcome to join and often receive a discount on their membership.
Mentoring
The award-winning Industry Mentoring Program provides an excellent opportunity to further develop your employability and build professional networks.
The program is available to students with more than 80CP as well as recent graduates.
Sustainable Development Goals
Griffith University is committed to advancing sustainable development through comprehensive initiatives that promote economic prosperity, social inclusion, environmental sustainability and good governance for all.
Further careers information
Careers counselling
Individual career counselling sessions are available to all current students and recent graduates.
You can book an initial appointment via CareerHub.
Career planning
Our website has an array of career planning resources you can explore at any stage of your student journey.
Career Readiness
Check out our Career Readiness site in Learning@Griffith for additional information and resources for your career development learning:
Similar career options
Please note: The content on this webpage is a guide only. Please refer to degree-specific information and accreditation requirements of your profession on the Degree and Course Finder website and with the relevant professional accreditation body for your degree.