If you are the kind of person who wants to learn about interpersonal relationships and how the flow of information takes place in an organisation, then communication management is the right career choice says, Ambarish Gupta
It is well understood that 75 per cent of the time people are communicating explicitly or implicitly in some way or the other. Much of what we communicate passes through unregulated everyday with only social and accepted norms of behaviour serving as guiding lights of behavior. However, in a corporate environment, allowing communication to go through unregulated and unfiltered is almost tantamount to axing oneself on the foot and this is why there is a need for communication management specialists.
But, first, we have to understand the term communication management. What does it mean for students and businesses alikeIJ Why choose a career in communication management in the first placeIJ Communication management is a complex function which involves managing various channels of communication within an organisation, between organisations, and the rest of the world. Communication management spans technology and organisation networks both within and outside the organisation and entails corporate communications, internal and external communications, managing flow of information, both online and offline.
If we were to break it down some of the important elements of communication management include — managing various channels of communication. The various communication channels important to an organisation include print (digital & paper), TV, radio, email, IVR & telephony (customer service). It is important to regulate channels of communication because outsider’s perspective is shaped by what is being said.
So, one can see that communication management is multi –functional & multi-disciplinary spanning human resource management, human behaviour, psychology, design, advertising, content management, public relations, technology (maintaining communication apparatus) customer service.
Job opportunities
With the right kind of education one has endless opportunities in this field. New roles like the job of social media strategist and SEO expert are gaining popularity making communication management one of the top student career choices. The growing importance of customer experience in the world of business has only strengthened traditional job roles in communication management like HR management, public relations, advertising, copy writing, labor relations and employee training.
With digital media exploding into our lives millions of new jobs will be created in the next few years in this field providing a wonderful opportunity for the next generation of job seekers in the following sectors:
Business
Personal recruiter, trainer, sales representative, negotiator, mediator, manager, industrial and labour relations, materials procurer are some of the job roles requiring great interpersonal and communication skills. Negotiation requires great deal of persuasive powers which can be taught in schools and colleges through theory and practice.
Advertising
Opportunities in advertising abound following the digital explosion. Advertising specialists, copy writers, content writers, media planner, creative director, account executives — job opportunities for creative are sky high. Experience proves invaluable when it comes to writing a good copy but there is nothing like college education to kick-start an advertising career.
Journalism
A degree in journalism/mass communication equips one to pursue a career in the sport/crime/politics/entertainment beat. If one is not up-to the daily edge of the seat job description one can still pursue a career in journalism by keeping abreast with the latest in broadcasting technology. Modern day broadcasting is largely technology driven providing incredibly growth opportunities with those with a technology driven mind.
Public Relations
Pursuing and cultivating contacts comes within the job description of a public relations. We often hear about a business going through a major public relations disaster calling for a protracted mopping up exercise and leading to a massive bill for the business. Besides ensuring continued business goodwill, PR specialist draws media strategy, lobbies hard for the business and creates a favorable image for the company. Publicity manager, marketing specialists, corporate affairs, account executive, lobbyist, media analyst, public opinion researcher are some of the job roles.
HR services
In order to be effective HR/legal service should be clear and concise in all their communication to workers and employees because any failure can lead to expensive litigation. A background in law or human resource management is handy for those looking for a career in this field. legal secretary, mediator, negotiator, HR, recruiter, head hunter are some of the job roles.
Business Management
A good grounding in business management will help you master the negotiating/mediating skills required in business. Most of the tier I or II B-schools provide an excellent training ground for budding business negotiators of the future. Entry to tier I B-school is through CAT although some like FMS have their own entrance exam.
Mass Communication
You can study mass communication in the undergraduate (3 years) as well as the post graduate level (2 years). Colleges like MICA, JNU and Xavier are known for their pedagogy and have given us some of the finest brains in the field of journalism and mass communication. You can also go for a diploma course in journalism or public relations from private institutes
IT
If you like technology there is nothing like getting a degree in I&T to supercharge your career in communication management. Reiterating the point made earlier – Communication management spans technologies and networks – therefore, it is well understood that there always will be opportunities galore for technology professionals in the field of communications. There is no dearth of engineering colleges in India and the best are at par with world class colleges anywhere in the world.
Where to study
Experience is very handy but there is nothing like a good college education to kick start a career in communication management. Fortunately, there are many colleges offering degrees in law, mass communication, business management and IT which provide in-depth study in the field of one wants to choose from.
(The writer is CEO & founder, Knowlarity Communications)