What do Fortune 500 Companies like Berkshire Hathaway, Union Pacific, and ConAgra Foods in Nebraska all have in common? They invest in the unparalleled skills of communication professionals to ensure smooth operations of their booming businesses. Students with communication majors in the Cornhusker State create broader connectivity through media gateways of broadcasting, print journalism, public relations, advertising, and publishing. Another incentive of an education in communications is personal financial security. Currently, marketing management is one of the highest paying jobs in Nebraska, with an average annual salary of $107,236.
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.
2008 Employment Figures for Communication Professionals
- 252 Advertising and Promotional Managers
- 919 Writers and Authors
- 194 Desktop Publishers
- 773 Editors
- 2,099 Graphic Designers
- 3,476 Public Relations Specialists
Resources for Communication majors
Publishing
The University of Nebraska in Lincoln recently made publishing news with the decision to make the college’s publication, The Prairie Schooner, accessible via the Amazon Kindle. By embracing digital technology, the university hopes to appeal to wider, younger audiences that depend more readily on digital devices and technology to receive information and literature. Yet, the existence of traditional publishing houses and independent bookstores located throughout the state demonstrate the residents’ attachment to an earlier, pre-digital era in publishing as well. This marriage of old and new school publishing guarantees room for future publishers regardless of their attitude toward emerging technology.
Local Publishers
- Silo Press
- Sandhills Publishing Company
- River Junction Press
- Logan House Press
- Black Rhino Publishing Company
- Nosila Press
- Morris Publishing
- Backwaters Press
Independent Bookstores
- A Novel Idea Bookstore
- Indigo Bridge Books
- The Next Millennium
- Copperfield Books
- Chapters Books & Gifts
- The Book Corner
Resource for Publishing majors
The Nebraska Center for the Book
Journalism
As technology devices and online publications continue to gain in popularity, many Americans wonder if the era of the printed newspaper is fast approaching extinction. But the 2011 Community Newspaper Readership Study conducted by the Reynolds Journalism Institute reveals that 81% of newspaper readers remain faithful to their local journals for community news. Reporters, correspondents, and news analysts still contribute greatly to the journalism industry in Nebraska by helping to bring popular newspapers such as the Midwest Messenger and the Omaha World-Herald to doorsteps and offices across the state. And despite smaller circulations, journalists working at small town papers like the Papillion Times and the Douglas County Post-Gazette prove the lingering relevance of local news through regular subscribers.
College Newspapers
- Chadron Eagle
- Crete Doane Owl
- Hastings Collegiate
- Kearney Antelope
- Lincoln Daily Nebraskan
- Omaha Creightonian
- UNO Gateway
- The Midland
- Peru Times
- Seward Concordia Sower
- Wayne Stater
Resource for Journalism majors
TV and Radio Broadcasting
Broadcasting majors in Nebraska could become one of the hundreds of broadcasting professionals already enjoying active employment in the state. In 2008, there were 237 broadcast technicians and 102 broadcast news analysts helping to bring radio and television to Nebraskans, according to the Nebraska Department of Labor. The Nebraska Broadcasters Association (NBA) has been an axis to the broadcasting industry since 1934, serving as a “Who’s who” guide of stations making a splash on local airways. In 2011 the NBA bestowed “Awards of Excellence” to stations KLIN, NET Radio, and KFOR in radio and stations KETV, NET TV and KMTV in television.
Local Broadcasting Companies
- Community Telecast, Inc.
- Waitt Media, Inc.
- Greater Nebraska Television, Inc.
- In Phase Broadcasting, Inc.
- Pappa Telecasting Ntv Network
- Studio 42 Productions, Inc.
Resource for Broadcasting majors
Nebraska Broadcasters Association
Public Relations and Marketing
Reports released by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that public relations specialists and managers will experience an exceptional employment growth rate of 23% between 2010 and 2020. Although entry-level positions may be competitive, public relations and marketing professionals are encouraged to seek opportunities through area PR and marketing firms. Businesses identify the financial gains of accessing outside consulting services rather than funding in-house departments to meet PR and marketing needs. Therefore, employment expansion within firms is expected to continue to rise.
PR and Marketing Firms
- Lukas Partners
- Bozell
- Issues Management Solutions
- Envoy, Inc.
- SCORR Marketing
- Ervin & Smith
Resources for PR and Marketing majors