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Job outlook for communications coordinators in the United States
Communications coordinator job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected communications coordinator job growth rate is 8% from 2018-2028.
About 22,300 new jobs for communications coordinators are projected over the next decade.
Communications coordinator salaries have increased 8% for communications coordinators in the last 5 years.
There are over 67,665 communications coordinators currently employed in the United States.
There are 39,790 active communications coordinator job openings in the US.
The average communications coordinator salary is $47,075.
Are communications coordinator jobs in demand?
Communications Coordinator job and salary trends over time
Communications Coordinator jobs over time
Communications Coordinator job growth rate over time
Year  | # Of Jobs | % Of Population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 67,665 | 0.02% |
| 2020 | 67,660 | 0.02% |
| 2019 | 67,562 | 0.02% |
| 2018 | 65,693 | 0.02% |
| 2017 | 63,902 | 0.02% |
Average communications coordinator salary over time
Communications Coordinator salary by year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $47,075 | $22.63 | +2.7% |
| 2024 | $45,831 | $22.03 | +1.9% |
| 2023 | $44,969 | $21.62 | +1.2% |
| 2022 | $44,444 | $21.37 | +2.2% |
| 2021 | $43,485 | $20.91 | +2.2% |
Communications Coordinator jobs by state
Most common states for communications coordinators
| Rank | State | Population | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 302 | 44% |
| 2 | Delaware | 961,939 | 284 | 30% |
| 3 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 190 | 25% |
| 4 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 615 | 21% |
| 5 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 183 | 21% |
| 6 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 376 | 18% |
| 7 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 304 | 18% |
| 8 | Vermont | 623,657 | 86 | 14% |
| 9 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 649 | 13% |
| 10 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 516 | 13% |
| 11 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 73 | 13% |
| 12 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 774 | 11% |
| 13 | Alaska | 739,795 | 83 | 11% |
| 14 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 139 | 10% |
| 15 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 105 | 10% |
| 16 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 801 | 9% |
| 17 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 566 | 9% |
| 18 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 264 | 9% |
| 19 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 96 | 9% |
| 20 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 152 | 8% |
Most common cities for communications coordinators
| Rank | City | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bryan | 3 | 4% | $43,180 |
| 2 | Revere | 2 | 4% | $51,021 |
| 3 | Portland | 2 | 3% | $37,992 |
| 4 | Amherst | 1 | 3% | $51,470 |
| 5 | Cambridge | 2 | 2% | $51,140 |
| 6 | Columbia | 2 | 2% | $48,821 |
| 7 | Altamonte Springs | 1 | 2% | $40,668 |
| 8 | Washington | 5 | 1% | $57,698 |
| 9 | Boston | 4 | 1% | $51,204 |
| 10 | Orlando | 2 | 1% | $40,700 |
| 11 | Alexandria | 1 | 1% | $50,020 |
| 12 | Chicago | 3 | 0% | $44,078 |
| 13 | Los Angeles | 2 | 0% | $52,970 |
| 14 | San Antonio | 2 | 0% | $43,632 |
| 15 | Arlington | 1 | 0% | $50,067 |
| 16 | Austin | 1 | 0% | $43,459 |
| 17 | Bakersfield | 1 | 0% | $53,608 |
| 18 | Baltimore | 1 | 0% | $48,966 |
Communications Coordinator job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of communications coordinator experts
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Coastal Carolina University
Grand Valley State University
Saint Mary's College
University of Kentucky
University of San Francisco
University of Connecticut
Winthrop University
Denison University
Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi
Bowie State University
What general advice would you give to a Communications Coordinator?
Matthew Turner Ph.D., M.B.A.: People like the flexibility and excitement that can come with being a communication specialist. You can often meet interesting and important people and travel to new places. You can get new challenges frequently so you don’t fall into a rut. One of the things that people dislike about being a communication specialist is that it can sometimes feel amorphous. They might wonder what are the most important things to learn, what skills, tools, software, etc. are most valuable and how will changing technology make that knowledge obsolete? It often involves retraining and evolving job responsibilities and positions.
What Communications Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Matthew Turner Ph.D., M.B.A.: It would impossible to say what an average Communication Specialist does since Communication is such a diverse field. The tasks that a professional would do would depend largely on the type of specialist they are and may well depend on seasonal factors or specific events. That person could work in HR, Corporate Communication, Sales, Public Relations, Media, Advertising, or a host of other fields. As someone entering the field you may well be learning from someone else the specifics of your job. You may also be asked to jump right in and create new communication campaigns or continue old ones with little training particularly in smaller businesses.
What will help Communications Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Matthew Turner Ph.D., M.B.A.: Communication is central to pretty much every business and organization so someone with good communication skills will always be employable. The skills acquired in getting a degree in communication are transferable to many different career paths.
What will help Communications Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Dr. Joy Daggs: I have quite a bit of advice:
1. Get as much experience as an undergraduate as possible. Many programs require internships, but even if they don't, seek opportunities to get experience. Take leadership roles in student organizations. Even if it's not specifically a 'public relations' entitled position, anything where you practice your skills is helpful. Even if you need to work a job in retail or service, those jobs still provide important benefits other than a paycheck. Don't discount your experiences!
2. Don't pass up opportunities to meet professionals. Many schools and departments bring their alumni on campus or do virtual events so that you can meet and chat with professionals. Even if it's not required for class, GO. You never know when a casual conversation may lead to an internship or an important professional connection.
3. Use your LinkedIn profile to your advantage. Make sure you have a professional picture that shows you in your best light. Follow organizations that you want to work for and other professional organizations related to your interests. I know of people getting interviews based off of LinkedIn interactions. Check your other social media accounts to make sure that you are not presenting yourself poorly. Most likely, organizations will Google you or look up your personal social media. There are reports of students losing opportunities because of poor social media choices.
What general advice would you give to a Communications Coordinator?
Erica Haugtvedt Ph.D.: The skills I think that will become more prevalent and important in the next 3-5 years are critical thinking skills. By critical thinking, I mean looking at the big picture and thinking about values, ethics, and thinking ahead to implications and consequences. AI will be able to produce a lot of words, but whether those words are appropriate to the situation, purpose, and context--whether those words are the words that we need--that will be something that only a conscientious and intelligent person can bring to the situation. People who are able to do that should be leaders in any field.
What Communications Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Erica Haugtvedt Ph.D.: Liberal Arts majors are able to enter a wide variety of fields with their skill sets in communication and critical thinking. The advice that I would give to graduates just beginning their careers is to be very observant of whatever workplaces they are entering and figure out what the social dynamics and expectations are, as well as the expectations for what kind of work is valued. Look for what gets rewarded, ask whether what gets rewarded is worthwhile, and think critically about whether there are innovations that are needed that you can (eventually) provide. Figure out what role you need to play, and then figure out what role you want to play and how to get there.
What will help Communications Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Erica Haugtvedt Ph.D.: You can maximize your salary potential by presenting your previous experience in the best light and keying it to what the jobs you’re applying for want and need, even if you don’t have experience in that exact job before. If you’re able to write a compelling resume, you could land in a better starting position with a higher salary. The other advice I would give is to always negotiate. Even if you only get a little bit more money in salary for asking, all of that adds up over the years!
What general advice would you give to a Communications Coordinator?
Dr. Holly Sullenger PhD: Find a mentor and ask a lot of questions! A mentor can guide you as you are learning the ropes, give you advice, clear pathways, hold you accountable to your goals, and more.
What Communications Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Holly Sullenger PhD: Soft skills such as communication, active listening, giving and receiving feedback, writing, and presenting well are crucial and will become more important.
What will help Communications Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Dr. Holly Sullenger PhD: Don't bring up salary in the first interview, look for published salary ranges, connect with current employees on LinkedIn, ask about workplace, teams, leadership, and address salary expectations at the end of the second interview or in response to the job offer.
What general advice would you give to a Communications Coordinator?
Mr. Daniel Routh: More and more companies want to expand their presence on social media, and someone with good video, photography, writing, and spoken communication skills is in demand. Someone who communicates well also has potential for leadership and promotion, especially in HR and PR fields.
What Communications Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Mr. Daniel Routh: Most communication specialists enjoy new challenges and projects that require some creativity, interacting with people, and getting a message out. Some communication specialist work is more project based, which can mean late nights before an event or video project deadline.
What will help Communications Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Mr. Daniel Routh: On a day-to-day basis, a communication specialist is likely to be interviewing or networking, planning an event, taking photos or videos, posting and managing social media on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and YouTube, meeting with teams or clients about branding and marketing, editing videos, or writing news updates.
What general advice would you give to a Communications Coordinator?
David Painter Ph.D.: Today, a Communication or Public Relations Specialist's day-to-day tasks involve creating, implementing, and managing communication strategies that effectively convey messages to engage, inform, and influence internal and external audiences. These activities may include content creation for social media accounts, websites, newsletters, and press releases; managing and overseeing corporate messaging; and coordinating with marketing teams to promote events, products, services, or causes. Additionally, communication specialists may also handle crisis communications and build relationships with journalists or media outlets to ensure positive coverage. For someone entering the field, these responsibilities require a balance of strong written and oral communication skills, project planning expertise, and relationship-building abilities.
What Communications Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
David Painter Ph.D.: Many Communication Specialists appreciate the variety in their work as well as their ability to decide which industry they want to promote. From crafting compelling brand narratives for tourist or hospitality organizations to managing digital platforms for financial or legal organizations to strategizing communication plans for sports, fashion, or automotive companies, the possibilities are nearly infinite. Moreover, communication specialists enjoy the creativity, strategic thinking, and collaboration their role demands. However, the job can also be stressful, particularly during crises or when managing conflicting narratives. Long hours and balancing multiple projects can be challenging, but for many, the fast-paced nature and the ability to shape public perception make it worth it.
What will help Communications Coordinators increase their earning potential?
David Painter Ph.D.: The communication field continues to rapidly evolve with digital and technological advancements making it a dynamic profession involved in many aspects of our daily lives. Indeed, today’s consumers are the best informed and most empowered in history with online reviews, ratings, and critiques of every imaginable product, service, and experience. In this context, organizations recognize the need for skilled professionals to manage their brand image and convey messages effectively, particularly in today's digital world where public perception can shift quickly. Communication Specialists are crucial in navigating these ever-changing conditions, making it an exciting, rewarding, and in-demand career.
What general advice would you give to a Communications Coordinator?
Andrew Wood Ph.D.: The best way to maximize your salary potential is to demonstrate flexibility in at least two ways. A growing number of employers are expressing generational concerns with recent graduates' abilities to balance their personal priorities with organizational needs. Flexibility in this case reflects an capacity to recognize a problem and to provide solutions to unexpected challenges without needing excess managerial oversight. That said, flexibility also refers to an employee's recognition that they ought not plan to stay at one job (or even within one career) for a lifetime. Dedication to the present job is important; maintaining a broad network beyond one's workplace, though, is also essential to longer-term success.
What Communications Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Andrew Wood Ph.D.: People entering the field should become increasingly familiar with technologies related to social media, artificial intelligence, and augmented reality, while demonstrating an interest in contemporary issues such as health care, climate change, environmental justice, community engagement, and similarly high-impact issues. It's one thing to possess a degree in communication studies; it's a much more important thing to translate the field's concepts and theories to the problems (and opportunities) that are transforming our planet.
What will help Communications Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Andrew Wood Ph.D.: Communication Studies, a field that traces its roots back to ancient inquiries into the nature of persuasion, remains in many ways an emerging field. After all, while traditional notions of public speaking emerge from time-testing insights, our field is constantly evolving to address new challenges, modalities, and opportunities. Thus my general advice to anyone entering the field is to avoid relying solely on established career pathways. Yes, there are plenty of jobs in marketing, media production, speech writing, education, management, and the like. But the most effective job-seekers are those who are nimble, flexible, and focused on how they can articulate the value-add of their training to an organization's unique exigences.
What general advice would you give to a Communications Coordinator?
Dr. Alice Veksler Ph.D., BCPA: We have seen an increased focus on soft skills which are crucial to professional success. This means knowing email/slack/zoom etiquette, knowing how to manage time effectively, having conflict resolution skills, having the ability to effectively collaborate with others, and showing initiative, are all crucial and highly in-demand skills. As we move into a more technological direction, knowing how to use AI will become more and more important. Project management is also a key skill that can substantially improve earning potential (especially if credentialed). Understanding the geo-political climate can also help one's ability to move forward within one's career and if in a corporate setting, can facilitate climbing the corporate ladder. An understanding of, and respect for, diversity is also going to continue to matter to employers so cultural competence will become more and more important as well.
What Communications Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Alice Veksler Ph.D., BCPA: Practice your interpersonal skills and think about how what you have learned in your coursework translates to your chosen field of work. Teamwork, conflict resolution, social media savvy, and professionalism can make or break a career. Being able to articulate and demonstrate mastery of these skills with concrete examples during an interview can help land the job and then embodying the skillset of an excellent communicator will lead to professional success. Networking is also key so making sure that you do internships and engage with others in your chosen field helps with securing a job. Forging connections early in one's career can pay massive dividends down the road. We say that 'you get jobs by talking to people' and this maxim is especially true for a broad field like communication studies. Finally, I always encourage a healthy work-life balance to avoid burnout and maximize productivity.
What will help Communications Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Dr. Alice Veksler Ph.D., BCPA: The single most important thing you can do is learn effective negotiation skills so that you negotiate a good salary and benefits package. Starting salaries will often set the baseline for future earning potential so being able to ensure that you are paid your worth early on is very important. New hires are often hesitant to negotiate salary to their detriment. Effective salary negotiation requires knowing how to do some basic market research to know what is reasonable and requires an understanding of the basics of principled negotiation. For example, it is important to know about positions vs. interests and what a BATNA/WATNA are. Beyond that, you need to stay proactive to ensure you are getting regular salary increases commensurate with norms in the field. Those increases are largely contingent on performance so excelling at the job then becomes the key to ongoing financial success. Making yourself an indispensable and irreplaceable asset to the employer is also very important.
What general advice would you give to a Communications Coordinator?
Yao Sun: The world has never been so eager for enhanced communication. Individuals, parties, organizations, etc. all need conversations and dialogues to improve the understanding toward each other as well as toward the new challenges that we are facing. Being a Communication Specialist can play an important role in this regard.
What Communications Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Yao Sun: On a day-to-day basis, a Communication Specialist takes care of any work relevant to human interaction. This area of knowledge can be applied to a wide variety of jobs. For example, in an IT company, you can find a Communication Specialist in the marketing department for promoting the product, or in the product management department responsible for team building and knowledge integration.
What will help Communications Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Yao Sun: People like being a Communication Specialist because of its dynamic and vibrant working environment. However, sometimes people dislike being a Communication Specialist due to the fact that this job demands high energy in dealing with various relationships, and this is a capability that not everybody can have.
Wendy Weinhold Ph.D.
Associate Professor of JournalismCoastal Carolina University
Communication And Media Studies
What general advice would you give to a Communications Coordinator?
Wendy Weinhold Ph.D.: Negotiation is so important whenever you start a job. Research will help you understand what people are making in similar jobs in your area, and you will be more likely to get a better offer if you know what to ask for based on what’s reasonable. Beyond salary, you can negotiate technology—such as laptop computers, tablets, phones—as well as other perks, such as professional development stipends. And remember: your first salary is just a start!
What Communications Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Wendy Weinhold Ph.D.: Curiosity is the most importantly thing when it comes to skill building. Your college classes have you a solid foundation, but there is always more to learn. Seek out mentors who will help you understand your strengths and weaknesses, and be open to opportunities that help you grow.
What will help Communications Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Wendy Weinhold Ph.D.: Communication is a major that offers you tremendous flexibility as you start your career, so use that to your advantage. Apply for jobs that interest you and build your portfolio. Your first job is highly unlikely to be your final job, so seek a job that will help you gain skills and prepare you for what’s next.
What general advice would you give to a Communications Coordinator?
Dr. Mikhila Wildey PhD: Maximizing salary potential often has to do with knowing your worth. It is important for individuals to do some research on what similar positions in the field are being paid in order to understand what an acceptable salary range may be for a particular position. In order to argue for an offer to be on the higher end of a typical salary range and maximize earning potential, it is important to vocalize your skills and assets within interviews and in your application materials. Individuals will need to self-advocate to show why they should earn a higher salary. It can be helpful to write out their skills and assets on paper first and rehearse saying them out loud to feel more comfortable and confident within an interview.
What Communications Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Mikhila Wildey PhD: I think the ability to engage and connect with people will be very important in the field as we shift more and more to a culture that is driven by AI. Although AI can be a useful tool, it likely won’t ever fully replace the value of human interaction and connection. In addition, employers often comment that they want to see employees with strong work ethic, and I think this will continue to be the case in 3-5 years. Having a strong work ethic can separate the people that move forward in their careers to those who remain stagnant.
What will help Communications Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Dr. Mikhila Wildey PhD: My general advice for a graduate beginning their career in the field is to work hard, stay open-minded, and network! Most employees won’t stay in the same position for their entire career, and so I often tell graduates to not get too hung up on the first job needing to be the 'perfect' job for them. Often, the first job will be a place where they learn how to navigate the workplace, learn about their own strengths/weaknesses, and figure out what they like and don’t like. I encourage graduates to use this information to help them make decisions about the next steps in their career. And, if they are working hard and networking with people at their job, then opportunities will often times present themselves or be more available to them as they navigate their future career path.
What general advice would you give to a Communications Coordinator?
Dr. Veronica Hefner: If you're able to know your passion, and your purpose, then find something that fulfills that, even if it means taking a lower paying job at first. For example, if you're really into fitness, get your foot in the door at a company that you respect and work your way up, rather than taking a higher paying job at a place you don't really like doing a job you don't really feel driven to do. Eventually, the passion for your work will motivate you to excel and that will result in achieving financial goals down the road as you are promoted. It's also good to get a master's degree because that will increase your initial salary by exponential amounts, depending on the field. Then, even if you don't land your dream job on the first try, you will have more options for promotion because you've already got the advanced degree in your portfolio.
What Communications Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Veronica Hefner: Knowing how to brand yourself, both in person and online, is becoming increasingly important. If you're networking at an event, do you have short stories or anecdotes that you can share that help you come across as interesting? A story can tell a listener about your values, work ethics, drive, and competencies much better than you sharing a laundry list of your achievements. The same thing is true when branding yourself online. Another skill is the ability to communicate, even if that sounds simple. Are you able to write a professional email? Can you carry on an intelligent conversation with a potential client? Do you know when to stop talking and actively listen? Are you able to get your message across to diverse audiences? These skills are applicable no matter what job you do.
What will help Communications Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Dr. Veronica Hefner: I would recommend that a new graduate shows up and does the work to the best of their ability. So much of success is determined by reliability, competency, and effort. Aim to achieve a work/life balance that helps you stay mentally and physically healthy, but realize that means that when you're at work, you need to work. The most successful people are not always the most talented or the most educated, but they are the ones who exert the most effort and ambition. However, when you go home at the end of the day, leave work behind and focus on yourself. Finally, show respect to others. If you disagree with them, or just don't like them, you still need to show respect. Respect diverse people, ideas, perspectives, and consider the experiences you have with people and ideas that are different from your own as a privilege that helps you learn and grow.
Ying Lu Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorUniversity of Kentucky
Hospitality Administration/Management
What general advice would you give to a Communications Coordinator?
Ying Lu Ph.D.: Communication skills. This is a service industry and requires strong communication skills to coordinate various departments and interact with diverse customers. A strong communication make you stand out in the team and make your job easier.
What Communications Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ying Lu Ph.D.: Introducing and instructing customers on how to use various tech equipment to have a better consumption experience.
What will help Communications Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Ying Lu Ph.D.: Work experience. Gain work experience in the industry as much as possible while studying the degree colleges. If possible, get a promotion to a supervisory position before graduation.
What general advice would you give to a Communications Coordinator?
Tika Lamsal PhD: Since communication graduates approach the workplaces equipped with effective interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills, they can vouch for aspirational positions that become both professionally competitive and individually fulfilling.
What Communications Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Tika Lamsal PhD: You may want to look for career opportunities that provide a platform for your professional growth through deeply engaging and responsive communication practices across languages and cultures.
What will help Communications Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Tika Lamsal PhD: In the time when students and professionals need to cater to the increasing demands of rapidly growing globalized and digitized workplaces, cross-cultural and multilingual communication skills have become essential for a meaningful and transformative dialogue with one another.
What general advice would you give to a Communications Coordinator?
Tianxu Chen: But if you could kindly send me the questions you have, I'll coordinate with the career center to gather relevant information.
What Communications Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Tianxu Chen: I have completed the questions and attached them to this email.
What will help Communications Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Tianxu Chen: I may be able to help, because starting later this month, I'll be becoming one of the faculty fellows at UConn's Center for Career Development.
Bonnye Stuart
Internship Coordinator, Speech Communication Coordinator, Study Abroad Adviser, Integrated Marketing Communication InstructorWinthrop University
Public Relations, Advertising, And Applied Communication
What general advice would you give to a Communications Coordinator?
Bonnye Stuart: First of all – have an e-portfolio of your work to show what you can do! Share that during the interview. Build trust with your employer during the interview stage that you have the skills and can-do attitude necessary to be an asset to his/her company! Be willing to go the extra mile, take on extra tasks, work long and hard on projects – all without asking if you will be paid extra for doing this!
What Communications Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Bonnye Stuart: Communication skills – in-person and mediated – will become more important as personal communication becomes less frequent and online communication takes center-stage. Analyzing analytics will be crucial as companies and organizations strive to 'really know' their publics behaviors and reach them where they are. Understanding Search Engine Optimization will be a great skill. Writing for a variety of formats – from long form storytelling to blogging will be important. Other skills will include videoing, photography, content creation, website editing and revision and trend watching!
What will help Communications Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Bonnye Stuart: I would say be flexible - you may be asked to do a variety of tasks. Some tasks you may feel comfortable doing, others you may feel you don't have the experience to tackle. Be confident in your abilities – you probably know more than you think you do – especially in the areas of technology and social media. Above all, be a sponge – soak up all everything you can from soft, people skills to specific industry knowledge. You can learn from every experience in the workplace (even mundane meetings can yield much information about the culture of the company or organization and who's voice is heard and valued). There is much to learn as you begin your career, even if your first position is not your 'dream job'!
What general advice would you give to a Communications Coordinator?
Zack Stiegler Ph.D.: Students who have competency across multiple media technologies will become more valuable. Having a broader skill set offers flexibility to employers and is attractive in terms of efficiency.
What Communications Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Zack Stiegler Ph.D.: Shooting for a big time programming gig in a major urban market might be alluring, but those jobs are highly competitive. It's better to take a longer path to dream jobs by gaining experience in smaller markets. Additionally, media jobs are not limited to traditional media organizations, and skills acquired in media and communication programs are highly applicable in various industries.
What will help Communications Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Zack Stiegler Ph.D.: Having flexibility, willingness to learn new skills, and dedication to the organization can enhance one's value as an employee. Preserving work-life balance is also important to avoid exploitation.
What general advice would you give to a Communications Coordinator?
Dr. Charles St-Georges Ph.D.: Be sure to communicate to potential employers all the skills you've acquired besides just 'speaking the language.' For example, your study of language and culture has helped you develop strong communication skills in both speaking and writing, and your intercultural competence has enabled you to engage with and learn from diverse populations in positive, productive ways. Your analytical skills are well developed after several years interpreting texts and cultural production across a variety of contexts and in comparison with your own language and culture. You already have significant experience adapting to new systems and learning to function and communicate quickly and effectively within them. Language majors are also uniquely aware of how cross-cultural communication needs to work if it is to happen successfully in an increasingly globalized world, regardless of the language of communication. Take the time to reflect on all the skills you've developed as a language major so you're ready to articulate them and advocate for yourself in a job interview.
What Communications Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Charles St-Georges Ph.D.: With American K-12 education continuing to gut the humanities and stress the importance of a STEM-only education (which is a false either/or choice, by the way), and with each new generation of college students having fewer and fewer social skills and poorer mental health due in part to an increasingly unhealthy relationship with technology, the workforce will increasingly be looking for college graduates who have people skills: effective communicators who are emotionally intelligent, culturally aware, and adept at encountering difference and navigating human complexity. A.I. is not going to provide these skills—especially when it comes to the cross-cultural communication that this increasingly globalized world will require. A quick A.I. translation from language A to language B is not going to facilitate the kind of contextually-savvy, culturally and historically-aware communication needed to combat climate change, deal with the next pandemic, or avert a major armed conflict. Or even effectively sell products, for that matter.
What will help Communications Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Dr. Charles St-Georges Ph.D.: Advocate for yourself by clearly articulating all the skills and knowledge your language degree brings with it. This is something that is often underestimated and undervalued as a pay differential conceived of strictly in terms of language competency. Let your employer know everything else your language competency brings to the table.
Sheryl McMillan
Senior Research and Outreach Development OfficerTexas A&M University - Corpus Christi
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing
What general advice would you give to a Communications Coordinator?
Sheryl McMillan: We would like to please review your article prior to publication.
What Communications Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Sheryl McMillan: Attached you will find the answers to your questions provided by Christina Murphey, Ph.D., RN, and Renae Schumann, PhD, RN, CNE. I have included their full titles in the attached document.
What will help Communications Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Sheryl McMillan: I am happy to help you. If you could please send me your questions, I will find just the right answers and a faculty quote in plenty of time for your deadline.
What general advice would you give to a Communications Coordinator?
Dr. Rochelle Daniel: Companies expect Communication graduates to be proficient in verbal and written skills, but there is a higher expectation now and moving forward for these graduates. Both hard and soft communication skills will continue to be important for company growth. Communication graduates will be expected to continuously update their proficiency in AI tools, social media platforms, and other technology to engage organizational publics and meet their companies' expectations. Soft communication skills such as active listening, empathy, friendliness, responsiveness, respect for diversity and inclusion, and nonverbal communication will be crucial.
What Communications Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Rochelle Daniel: My general advice to a graduate who transitions into that first professional job in the Communication field is similar to advice I give Communication students for navigating internship workspaces (Communications Internship Handbook: What HBCU Students Need to Know, 2022). Be intentional about learning the organizational or office culture, really listen to find out what is expected of you, be flexible and adaptable when there are changes in workflow, and don't be afraid to ask questions.
What will help Communications Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Dr. Rochelle Daniel: When starting a career in Communications, you can maximize your salary by demonstrating adaptability to change, willingness and eagerness to learn new skills to enhance your performance, and a willingness to solve problems.