Communication Studies Associates, Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Connecticut

The Connecticut Department of Labor forecasts a 6.8% growth in jobs for graduates holding media and communication majors between 2008 and 2010. The state’s media is known for its blend of the old and the new: Connecticut has some of the oldest newspapers in the nation, but it’s also been encouraging the creation of digital products with attractive tax credits for businesses that create web sites, animation, and games. And with such a rich historical tradition, there’s plenty of opportunities to apply communications skills to the historical and cultural sector: the Connecticut Offices for Culture and Tourism reports that the arts, film, history, and tourism industries account for more than $14 billion in economic activity and 170,000 jobs every single year.

Undergraduate Degrees in Communications – Choosing to earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree with a major in communications will give you the qualifications you need to start a career in mass media and digital communications. Whether you’re interested in journalism and independent filmmaking, or marketing and public relations, the know-how needed to reach people with a targeted message starts with a degree in communications.

Master’s Degrees in Communications – No matter your professional background or undergraduate major, you could earn a master’s in communications to prepare for a career in any number of diverse areas that include journalism, public relations, marketing, digital media and more.

Journalism

Connecticut has newspapers that are older than the United States itself: the Hartford Courant was founded in 1764. But the state is also home to innovative hyperlocal news sites like the New Haven Independent, which publishes a mix of breaking news, in-depth-reporting, and multi-media content throughout the day. The site is just one example of dynamic digital experiments in the state, which also include citizen journalism projects and energetic bloggers devoted to local politics.

Local Newspapers and Guides:

  • Hartford Courant           
  • New Haven Register           
  • Connecticut Post
  • Greenwich Time           
  • Waterbury Republican-American           
  • Hartford Advocate
  • New Haven Advocate
  • The New Haven Independent
  • Connecticut Magazine
  • TheDay.com

Journalism Associations:

TV and Radio Broadcasting

Broadcasting opportunities are well-represented in Connecticut, perhaps because ESPN is one of the state’s largest employers. Hartford and New Haven have the 30th largest television market in the country, according to market research firm Arbitron. And because the state has made a concerted effort to focus on the new media sector, some areas are expecting growth: the state’s department of labor forecasts a 20.4% increase in jobs for Film and Video Editors between 2008 and 2018.

Resources and Professional Associations for TV and Radio Broadcasting

Advertising, Marketing, and Public Relations

There are 1,708 advertising and marketing companies in Connecticut, according to the Fairfield County Public Relations Association. The state’s labor department expects significant expansion: jobs for Public Relations Specialists are forecast to grow 16.4% between 2008 and 2018, while opportunities for Public Relations Managers are projected to grow 9.5% during the same period.

 Professional Associations for Advertising and Public Relations

Book Publishers

Connecticut is host to several high-profile educational publishers and award-winning university presses, such as Yale University Press. While opportunities for in-house editorial work is diminishing, the state employment department forecasts a 7.3% growth in the number of jobs for Writers and Authors from 2008 until 2018, which means that those who train in this area might find lucrative freelance careers.

Publishing Companies:

  • Abaris Books
  • Cengage Learning
  • Easton Press
  • Greenwood Publishing Group
  • Manning Publications
  • Wesleyan University Press
  • Yale University Press
  • Taunton Press

Book Publishing Associations and Resources