Corporate Communications Degree

The collapse of economic giants such as Enron, the mortgage crisis and the breakdown of major banking institutions have negatively influenced the public’s perception of big business. However, there are many legitimate large businesses that reward their employees and have programs dedicated to social responsibility.

Now, more than ever, corporate communications specialists are needed to create their company’s corporate culture and convey that image to employees, clients and the public.

Corporate Communications Degrees

The ideal communications degree program should provide students with basic knowledge of public relations, mass communications and advertising. Entry-level corporate communications careers usually require a four-year degree in business or communications.

Corporate Communications Job Descriptions

Some organizations have merged traditional disciplines such as public relations, employee communications, advertising and media relations under one corporate communications department. The head of the corporate communications department is the communications manager, who implements and oversees programs that promote an organization and its products.

With the bad reputation of corporate fraud, scrutiny of corporate practices is high, and corporate communications is needed to accurately represent a company’s culture and ethics to employees and clients.

Corporate Communications Salary

Graduates who have earned a communications degree have several different career paths and salary ranges available to them. The two professions listed below are from different ends of the spectrum. Compensation is usually commensurate with experience.

According to Salary.com, the average salary for corporate communications managers with a bachelor’s degree and at least seven years of experience is between $72,974 and $98,641 annually. The median salary for entry-level communications editors ranges from $43,995 to $57,756 annually.