The world has witnessed an unprecedented explosion in communication technology and media. And it is here that mass-communication, as a stream of study, and as a career, becomes so important and enviable.

Nowadays Mass Communication is not limited to journalism only but also covers all aspects of human life. A career in Mass Communication is not only high paying but also brings in a great deal of job satisfaction and expression of creativity.

Step-by-Step

Not long ago, people with good communication skills and a degree in literature were considered fit for journalism and other areas of mass communication. However, with the advancement of technology, all mass communication fields now requires skilled professionals who can work fast and efficiently send across the message to a whole range of audience.

Start Early

Unlike engineering or medical streams there are no preparation strategies or set formulae for making a career in mass communication. A graduate degree in the field is good to start with but a post graduate degree or diploma is almost essential to be considered for responsible positions in any organization. Meanwhile, you need to start blogging or work as a freelance contributor to newspapers and a host of online publishing sites to develop your communication skills. Maturity, objectivity and a sensible train of thought are essential.

Is it the Right Career for Me?

Answering this question requires a critical self-evaluation. You need to have creativity—a way with words and excellent communication skills as you will be required to explain and inform, about the most complex of issues, in the simplest of terms—to a large number of people. Moreover, you require great deal of patience, because in this field, it takes a lot of hard work, and quite some time, to make it to the top.

What would it Cost Me?

Courses in mass communication are expensive as tuition fees and charges and expenses for doing projects, internships, and field work are quite high. Most of the institutes offering under graduate courses charge anywhere from Rs 40,000 to Rs 2, 00,000 per year. Similarly, a PG diploma course from Indian Institute of Mass Communication can cost in the range of Rs 40,000 to Rs 1,00,000  for one year. PG course in Mass Communication from MCRC at Jamia Millia Islamia can cost around one lakh for two years.

Funding/Scholarship

IIMC offers scholarship for candidates in each branch, which is almost half of the fees – for first two toppers. Several other memorial scholarships at the institute are based on merit. Other mass communication institutes too provide merit based freeships and scholarships. Education loans are available from various nationalised banks wherein a student can seek a loan up to Rs 7.5 lakhs at low interest rates.

Job Prospects

A professional course in mass communication opens doors for a career in films & TV, publishing, public relations, journalism, editing, direction, filmmaking, scriptwriting, production, etc. Depending upon personal interest and inclination a mass communication professional can choose a job. Attractive and high paying jobs as journalist, actor, director, editor, screenwriter, RJ, producer, VJ are available to the talented and trained individuals.

Pay Packet

Starting salary for a mass communication professional could be between Rs 12,000 and 25,000. After 5 Years of work experience a professional can expect higher salary in the range of Rs 50,000 to Rs 1,00,000 per month. Whereas candidates passing out from well known institutes like IIMC, MCRC Jamia, receive attractive placement opportunities than the pass outs from not-so-well- known institutes.

 Market Watch

Career opportunities in mass communication are expected to increase as not less than 70 news channels will come up in next five years. Thanks to mass media, news and entertainment job opportunities are aplenty for trained professionals in various roles. Opening up of media sector for foreign investment is expected to create new jobs in the field. News Corporation of Rupert Murdoch, Disney Entertainment, CNBC, BBC and many others are included among the large media groups offering atrractive jobs at different levels and positions.

Different Roles, Different Names

Following are the various job profiles offered to graduates in mass communication:

• Fashion Photographer
• Film Director
• TV Correspondent
• Producer
• Radio Jockey/ RJ
• Screenwriter
• Sound Engineer
• Sound Mixer and Sound Recordist
• Special Correspondent
• Video Jockey
• Art Director
• Editor
• Event manager
• Public Relations Officer

Top Companies

• Hindustan Times Group of Publication
• NDTV Network
• Zee TV Network
• Times of India Publication Group
• Viacom
• BBC
• TV 18 Group
• Big Entertainment and numerous others.

Top Institutes

• Symbiosis Institute of Mass Communication, Pune
• AJK Mass Communication Research Centre, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
• Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi
• Asian College of Journalism, Chennai
• Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication, Bhopal

 

Compiled by – Pranami Das.