As host to the nation’s capitol for publishing and advertising, not to mention fashion, finance, and the performing arts, New York is one of the most exciting states in the country to pursue a communications career. The state department of labor expects the number of media and communications jobs to grow by 3.3% between 2008 and 2018, with particular growth in public relations, which is forecast to grow by 9.9%. And while New York City is the beating heart of the state, the growth of cities like Buffalo and Albany has bucked national trends, offering a diversity of opportunities to communications students majoring in advertising, public relations, journalism, and corporate communications.
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.
Journalism
For those looking to hone their craft and network with other journalists, no other place can offer the same opportunities as New York City. After all, 20 minutes on the subway will take you from the New York Times offices to the conference rooms where the Pulitzer Prizes are chosen. And if it’s magazines you’re interested in, Manhattan is where you’ll find them, from the New Yorker to the rest of the Condé Nast empire. Outside Manhattan, there’s an unusually good selection of quality community newspapers — not to mention more affordable housing for those whose bylines appear in the big players.
Local Newspapers and Guides:
- New York Times
- Wall Street Journal
- Village Voice
- New York Daily News
- New York Post
- New York Observer
- New York Magazine
- The New Yorker
Journalism Associations
- New York News Publishers Association
- New York Press Association
- Society for Professional Journalists-New York Deadline Club
- Asian American Journalists Association – New York Chapter
- New York Association of Black Journalists
- National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association — New York Chapter
- Ed2010
TV and Radio Broadcasting
The American television industry was born in New York City, and the “Big Four” broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC) still call the city home, as do the cable channels MTV, HBO, Comedy Central, and Fox News. New York City also has the largest radio market in the country, according to the research firm Arbitron, and is also host to the famed WNYC-AM and FM – originator of some of the most popular nationally-syndicated shows on the dial, including Studio 360, On the Media and Radiolab.
Resources and Professional Associations for TV and Radio Broadcasting
- New York State Broadcasters Association
- New York State Governor’s Office for Motion Picture and Television Development
- New York Market Radio
- Cable Telecommunications Association of New York
- Buffalo Broadcasters Association
- Western New York Public Broadcasting Association
Advertising, Marketing, and Public Relations
Madison Avenue remains the headquarters for the American advertising industry, and there’s no better place to go to establish your career. It’s also a hotspot for PR practitioners, especially given the proximity to the entertainment industry. And unlike journalism, which is still struggling to find a solid financial footing, PR is likely to be a growth area in New York for years to come – the state’s Department of Labor forecasts a 10% growth in jobs for PR specialists between 2008 and 2018.
Professional Associations for Advertising and Public Relations
- The Advertising Club of New York
- International Advertising Association — New York Chapter
- Specialty Advertising Association of Greater New York
- 212–New York’s Interactive Ad Club
Book Publishers
New York is the center of publishing for America, and to some extent the world. The “Big Six” are headquartered there, as are a number of smaller independents. The city is crawling with writers, editors, and agents, most of whom love to socialize. Whether you want to work on high-end literary fiction, children’s books, or cookbooks, New York is the place to be.
Publishing Companies
- St. Martin’s Press
- Henry Holt
- Farrar, Straus & Giroux
- Little, Brown & Company
- Grand Central
- HarperCollins
- Putnam
- Viking
- Bloomsbury
- Simon & Schuster
- Scribner
- Melville House
Book Publishing Associations and Resources
While many of these are national organizations, they often put on events in the New York City area.