A student shadowing me would see that I love my job. No two days are the same. But a great day is when I teach my classes and meet with students and colleagues. If I can, I spend time grading and keeping up with emails and phone calls. I have lunch with colleagues on some days, on others I work in my office or just take a walk. Most days I spend the last hour on my writing projects. Then, if I have time, I might do some preparation for the next day.
CAREER
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$77,560
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
+7.3% (as fast as the average)
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Communications Teachers, Postsecondary Do
Teach courses in communications, such as organizational communications, public relations, radio/television broadcasting, and journalism. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Other Job Titles Communications Teachers, Postsecondary May Have
Communication Instructor, Communication Professor, Instructor, Professor
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
I teach HCOM100 at CSUF. On a typical day, I wake up at 9AM and head to CSUF. Before my classes, I head over to the department office to prep and organize for class. During my assigned sections, I lecture about various communication topics and go over any assignments or concepts. After class, I stick around to talk to students and answer questions during my office hours. Afterwards, I head home. At home, I grade any assignments, like speeches or papers, and prepare for upcoming lectures.
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as public speaking, media criticism, and oral traditions.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Communications Teachers, Postsecondary
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Master's degree (71%)
Master's degree
Doctoral degree
Post-doctoral training
Majors Related to Career
Educational Paths Suggested by Leaders
Suggested Path
High School
Bachelor
Organizational Communication, General
Graduate
Organizational Communication, General
Doctorate
Organizational Communication, General
Suggested Path
Associates
Bachelor
Communication Studies
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
Time management is crucial. Also, being able to work with diverse groups of people with a variety of goals is important. College students are a unique population, and it takes time and practice to work with them and help them through this stage of life. Many are focused on graduating and getting a job, and not on the learning process itself. It's important that I acknowledge this while still trying to engage them in the learning process.
I believe one fundamental skill in becoming a teacher is having great interpersonal communication skills. I believe that it's important to connect and build a rapport with students. A second skill I find important is mindfulness about students' experiences, as mindfulness can help with integration during college. I also believe in organization skills. Lastly, I believe that teachers should remind themselves and their students that they are human and imperfect.
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
College Students
First, complete a Bachelor's degree in the field. Then a Master's degree, perhaps at the same institution. If you maintain a high GPA, (3.0 or above) then you might qualify for funding at the graduate level. If you find that you are enjoying working on the MA degree, then it's important to do research on Ph.D. institutions to see if your interests match theirs. It's a decision that should not be made lightly. Make sure you understand the commitment involved in pursuing this path.
Everyone
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
