Home to the largest accredited communications program in the country, Pennsylvania is a launching pad for brilliant communications professionals of tomorrow. Communications majors that strive for careers in areas like advertising, mass media, public relations, film/video, media studies, and journalism can catch great internship positions with local media companies such as 215 Design Group, Blue Ridge Communications, Aurora Films, and Booth Bay Marketing. College experience can often open doors to jobs with communications-based businesses including publishers like Central PA Magazine and The Northeast Times, as well as tv and radio broadcasters like WITF FM 89.5 and WNEP TV 16. College media oulets in the state inlude Bloomsburg University Voice, Wharton Journal and Pitt News.
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.
Publishing
Neighborhood bookstores remain the pearls of literary culture in Pennsylvania. Independent booksellers like Midtown Scholar Bookstore and Famous Reading Café, Carlisle’s Whistlestop Bookstore, and Aaron’s Books even popularize local authors through promotional readings and book signings. Of course, resident writers and novelists bank on area publishers to realize their visionary works. The Aberjona Press in Bedford specializes in historical and military literature while Closson Press in Apollo gets personal by fashioning clients’ family histories and genealogical material. For lighter fare, ArcLight Publishing in Philadelphia showcases manuscripts featuring cartoons and humorous content.
Local Publishing Houses:
- Forest Press
- Spindle Publishing Company
- Jenkins Press
Resource for Publishing Majors
New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association
Journalism
The abundance of newspaper outlets across Pennsylvania keep journalists alert and diligent around the clock. In 2011, the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association named the York Daily Record/Sunday News and the Patriot-News “Newspaper of the Year” among daily circulars while The Almanac and the Philadelphia Weekly won equivalent recognition for non-daily circulars. Yet, the most popular periodicals in the Keystone State are the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Pittsburg Tribune-Review, and the Pittsburg Post-Gazette. On the other end of the spectrum, small town residents pledge allegiance to modest papers like the Sunbury Daily Item, the Pottstown Mercury, and the Butler Eagle.
Special Interest Papers:
- Lancaster Farming
- El Hispano News
- Catholic Standard & Times
TV and Radio Broadcasting
According to Pennsylvania’s Center for Workforce and Information Center, in 2008 there were 2,400 TV and radio announcers, 130 broadcast news analysts, and 1,260 broadcast technicians clambering to bring news, music, and entertainment programming to media hungry Pennsylvanians. Radio shows like “Pennsylvania People” and “Allegheny Front” and TV programs such as “Conservations from Penn State” and “Our Town” enlighten viewers and listeners by dropping local knowledge and fanfare via WPSU.
Philadelphia TV Stations:
- KYW TV 3 (CBS)
- WCAU TV 10 (NBC)
- WHYY TV 12 (PBS)
- WPVI TV 6 (ABC)
Pittsburg Radio Stations:
- KQV AM 1410
- WBGG AM 970
- WQED FM 89.3
- WYEP FM 91.3
Public Relations and Marketing
Public relations and marketing firms in Pennsylvania work tirelessly to hurdle state businesses into more accessible spheres by revamping public images that extend from home bases to international arenas. From Philadelphia firms like Barton Gilanelli & Associates, Inc.; FTI Consulting, Inc.; and Tonic Life Communications; to Pittsburg-based players like Euro RSCG Worldwide PR; Jampole Communications, Inc.; and Wordwrite Communications, Inc.; public relations and marketing professionals continue to push Pennsylvania enterprises into the limelight.
Public Relations and Marketing Firms:
- Gregory FCA
- The Cline Group
- Brian Communications
- Furia Rubel Communications, Inc.
- Tierney
- White Good
- The Simon Group, Inc.
Resource for Public Relations and Marketing Majors