Communication Studies Associates, Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Wyoming

Wyoming Wildlife News Magazine, Cody Enterprise, Glenrock Independent, KGWN TV 5, and KKTY AM 1470 are just a few of the many media outlets through which Wyoming’s communications majors can find internship and lifelong career opportunities. Students with an inclination for community and business networking can spur on careers in public relations and marketing by taking advantage of mass communications and mixed-marketing communications degree program offered by local universities and colleges, particularly in the Laramie and Casper areas.

Many communications majors arrange the building blocks of their future careers by actively engaging in student and campus-based media vehicles. Working with communications entities such as the Branding Iron, Laramie Online, Wyoming Internet Student Radio (WISR), the Owen Wister Review, Frontiers Magazine, and the Cross Examination Debate Association, students gain the tools and insight to hone their talents and form the strong business ties needed to foster the creation of new enterprises.

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.

Public Relations and Marketing

Hundreds of professionals establish careers in Wyoming’s public relations and marketing industry. In May 2011, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 370 public relations specialists and 260 marketing specialists were gainfully employed in Wyoming. There are several area firms that not only work to bolster the image of their local business community clients, but that are also part of the community themselves, employing many of the state’s communications majors.

Located in Casper, 2911 Consulting Group, LLC develops business and marketing plans, website and ad design, interactive marketing tools, and media buying approaches. Companies in hospitality, tourism, ecotourism, the arts, and architecture solicit WordenGroup Strategic Public Relations in Jackson Hole to fortify their public image.

Public Relations and Marketing Firms:

  • Terra Public Relations (Jackson Hole)
  • Stanwood & Partners (Jackson)
  • M Williams Marketing (Cody)

Publishing

Wyoming may be the least populated state in the country, but there is definitely no shortage of publishing houses in the Cowboy State. Homestead Publishing, which heralds itself as the “oldest and largest publisher of Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Glacier-Waterton, and Banff-Jasper national parks books” maintains a sturdy publishing presence in the Jackson Hole Valley. Nearby, Circumerro Media Agency stays busy by producing quality media publishing for internet websites and guest directories. Also in the neighborhood, Teton Publisher’s continue to support local cultural reverence by publishing books specifically about Wyoming.

 Publishing Houses in Wyoming:

  • Grandview Publishing (Jackson Hole)
  • High Plains Press (Glendo)
  • Western Star Publishing (Cheyenne)

Resource for Publishing Professionals 

Mountains & Plains Independent Booksellers Association

 Journalism

Currently, local papers with the largest reader base are the Casper Star Tribune, Wyoming Tribune Eagle, and Planet Jackson Hole. In 2011, the Wyoming Press Association awarded general excellence awards to the Casper Star Tribune, Jackson Hole News & Guide, and Newcastle News Letter Journal.

Independent Newspapers:

  • Glenrock Independent
  • Star Valley Independent
  • Thermopolis Independent Record

Small Town Journals:

  • Weston County Gazette
  • Basin Republican Rustler
  • Greybull Standard

Resource for Journalism Majors

Wyoming Press Association

TV and Radio Broadcasting

According to the Wyoming Association of Broadcasters, the average Wyomingite listens to 160 minutes of radio per day, which is higher than the national average of 126 minutes; and 80% of residents listen to radio in their cars.

Station selection for communications majors seeking internship opportunities often depends on location and preference. KARS 102.9 FM delivers a daily dose of oldies tunes in Laramie, while KGAB 650 AM pumps out news and talk radio programming to Orchard Valley. Music buffs craving hip-hop beats in Newcastle might look to KRKI 99.5 FM, while adult contemporary fans in Jackson switch their dials to KZJH 95.3 FM.

Public Radio Stations:

  • KBUW 90.5 FM
  • KSUW 91.3 FM
  • KYPR 88.9 FM
  • KUWD 91.5 FM
  • KUWJ 90.3 FM

The Wyoming Association of Broadcasters reports that the average American spends 127 hours and fifteen minutes a month watching television. In Wyoming, about half of the state population relies on local television stations to deliver news and entertainment. In Casper, mass communications and broadcasting majors set their sites on KTWO or KCWY, while those in Jackson might look to the FOX network on KLWY.

Broadcasting Companies in Wyoming:

  • Legend Communications of Wyoming, LLC
  • Kath Broadcasting Company, LLC
  • Smith Broadcasting, Inc.
  • Rule Communications
  • Chaparrel Communications
  • Silverton Broadcasting Company

Resource for Broadcasting Majors

Wyoming Association of Broadcasters