With its stunning scenery, low-cost living, and booming high-tech scene, Idaho is an attractive place to live and work. The Idaho Department of Labor forecasts a nearly 14.5% growth rate in jobs for media and communications workers between 2008 and 2018, with a particular concentration of opportunities in Boise, Nampa, Pocatello, Idaho Falls, Meridian, and Coeur d’Alene. In addition to the high-tech sector, the Gem State has also been seeing growth in the information science and tourism fields, both of which offer opportunities for communications graduates to use their skills.
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.
Advertising, Marketing, and Public Relations
Advertising and public relations careers are likely to be good options for communications majors in Idaho. The state’s Department of Labor projects that jobs for Advertising, Marketing, Promotions, Public Relations, and Sales Managers will grow almost 20% between 2008 and 2018. Jobs for Advertising Sales Agents will grow over 13%, and Public Relations Specialists almost 25%, during the same period. The skills honed while studying marketing and public relations can also be put to work in government, tourism, and education, which are important industries for Idaho.
PR and Advertising Firms:
- Red Sky PR
- ID-PR
- Duwe Public Relations
- Scott Peyron & Associates
- Stoltz Marketing Group
- Drake Cooper Advertising Agency
- DaviesMoore
- Alloy Advertising
- Donahoe Pace
- Ken Stoltz
- Hanna Advertising
Professional Associations for Advertising, Marketing, and Public Relations
- Idaho Ad Agencies
- Public Relations Society of America – Idaho
- Magic Valley Advertising Federation
- Boise Advertising Federation
- Idaho Falls Advertising Federation
- Lewis-Clark Valley Advertising Federation
TV and Radio Broadcasting
According to the FCC, Idaho is home to 150 FM and 81 AM stations, including several channels provided by listener-supported Boise Public Radio. Aside from talk and news, Christian channels are popular. Perhaps because of all the time Idahoans spent outdoors, the broadcast scene is healthier than in other states — The state Department of Labor projects that jobs for Broadcast News Analysts will rise almost 13% between 2008 and 2018.
As for television, the state has about 460 licensed stations, according to the FCC. The Boise area is served by six major stations, including the NBC affiliate KTVB, the state’s oldest. The Emmy-award-winning Idaho Public Television broadcasts throughout the state on five stations.
Resources and Professional Associations for TV and Radio Broadcasting
Journalism
Three-quarters of Idaho’s residents read a newspaper at least once a week, according to the Newspaper Association of Idaho. Though the number of opportunities for print journalists has declined as in other states, Idaho still boasts 11 daily papers, according to the US Census Bureau. The Idaho Statesman is the most widely read, reaching over 200,000 adults each week, while the 20-year-old Boise Weekly (Idaho’s only alternative weekly) reaches 31,000 readers.
Local Newspapers and Guides:
- Bonner County Daily Bee
- Boise Weekly
- Idaho Business Review
- Coeur d’Alene Press
- Idaho Press-Tribune
- Idaho State Journal
- Idaho Statesman
- Lewiston Morning Tribune
- Blackfoot Morning News
- Moscow-Pullman Daily News
- Idaho Falls Post Register
- Spokesman-Review
- Shoshone Press
- South Idaho Press
- Standard Journal
- Twin Falls Times-News
- The Boise Journal
Journalism Associations:
Book Publishing
Idaho’s diverse literary scene includes several university presses in addition to publishers focused on poetry and regional history. The state is well served by several literary organizations, such as The Cabin, a distinguished non-profit literary arts center in Boise. In addition, the Idaho Department of Labor forecasts that jobs for writers and authors will grow almost 13% between 2008 and 2018 – which means an independent writing career could be another good option for communications majors.
Book and Magazine Publishing Companies:
- Ahsahta Press
- Lost Horse Press
- Aspen D Publishing
- Backeddy Books
- BYU-Idaho University Press
- Confluence Press
- Idaho State University Press
- Limberlost Press
- University of Idaho Press
- Keokee Books
Book Publishing and Writing Associations and Resources: