As one of the fastest-growing states in the nation, Florida is poised for new opportunities. The state’s vibrant tourist industry offers chances for communications majors to work in public relations, advertising, and corporate communications, while the large Hispanic population provides opportunities in Spanish-language media, particularly in large cities like Jacksonville, Tampa, and Miami. The state is also known for its exciting and multicultural arts scene; Florida ranks fourth in the number of artists per state, according to the National Endowment for the Arts. Overall, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity projects 2% growth for jobs in media and communications between 2011 and 2019.
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, creative writing 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
Unlike other states, the jobs for reporters and correspondents in Florida are expected to stay stable over the next few years, according to the state’s labor department. This is partly thanks to the growth in ethnic media, as well as niche online products focusing on specific issues; the Tampa-Bay Times is also one of the largest newspapers in the country, according to the Audit Bureau of Circulations.
Local Newspapers and Guides:
- Tampa Bay Times
- Orlando Sentinel
- Miami Post
- Boca Raton News
- Florida Jewish News
- Gainesville Sun
- Key West Citizen
- Miami Herald
- Miami New Times
- Miami Today
- Palm Beach Post
Journalism Associations:
- Florida Press Association
- Florida Magazine Association
- Florida Scholastic Press Association
- Florida Society of News Editors
TV and Radio Broadcasting
The Miami-Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood area is the 12th-largest radio market in the country, according to the broadcast media research firm Arbitron, while the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Sarasota area is the 14th largest television market. Florida is also the headquarters for some of nation’s leading Spanish-language broadcast media companies, such as Telemundo, TeleFutura, and Univision.
Resources and Professional Associations for TV and Radio Broadcasting:
- Florida Association of Broadcasters
- WGCU – Southwest Florida Public Broadcasting
- Florida News Center
- Women in Film and Television Florida
Advertising, Marketing, and Public Relations
The Sunshine State has one of the best-established public relations communities in the nation, and the industry is projected to expand: the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity projects 2.8% growth for Public Relations Specialists between 2011 and 2019.
Professional Associations for Advertising and Public Relations:
Book Publishers
Florida has been known for attracting famous writers, from Ernest Hemmingway to Tennessee Williams. The state’s publishers reflect the diversity of the population, hosting everything from well-established Jewish book publishers to one of the oldest feminist presses in the nation.
Publishing Companies:
- University Press of Florida
- Anhinga Press
- Bella Books
- Bloch Publishing Company
- Frederick Fell Publishers, Inc.
- Spinsters Ink
- Pineapple Press
- Universal Publishers
Book Publishing Associations and Resources: