Mass Communication Career Guide | Courses, Salary, Scope

The rapid transformation in the education system has led to the introduction of diverse ingenious and valuable fields of career. Mass communication is also known as Mass Media Communication and the career options in this field are correlated with creativity and intelligence. 

What is Mass Communication?

Mass Communication is a professional field that is concerned with the communication of information to the public through various channels which may be at the local, national and international level.

This career option encompasses are as concerned with graphics, radio, television, film, documentary, media, advertising, corporate communication, events and more. This is because of the revolution in the technology which has introduced many more levels of communication to get to connect with the mass. 

Career Classification in Mass Communication 

The communication channels for disseminating the information are not alike. The channels differ based on the audience. Some may prefer television over the radio while some may want the information from newspapers. Hence, there are an enormous proportion of jobs opportunities that one can look up to. 

The functions of the companies vary a lot based on the task that they perform. The newspaper publishing company may not require an art director and there may be no need for a cameraman in the field of radio. The major five channels for sharing information are Television, Radio, Newspaper, Film and Digital Marketing.

The media industry is not similar to the entertainment industry and henceforth it should not be confused with the other jobs in the television industry. The occupations are merely related to the field of media i.e. the informative one. Amongst the professions mentioned below some may be synonymous in the other fields of mass communication.

 Hence, the various job profiles along with their description and salary are categorized into major five major categories based on the channels of their distribution. 

1. Sound Engineer

 A sound engineer is a technical expert in managing the sound of the production. Their obligation is towards the recording, mixing, modifying and in some circumstances reproduction of the sound. That said it’s not that simple. At times when there are live coverages of events, a lot of alterations may be needed in an incredibly brief time. Hence, one must be an expert in dealing with the equipment and he/she must know how to assemble, regulate and manage them efficiently. The media team relies upon the sound engineer for proficiency in their work. 

A sound engineer may earn somewhere near Rs.4-5 lakhs per year on an average based on the intricacies of the job.

2. Event manager

Event managers oversee the various activities of the production house. They organize the accreditation standards, present post-event reports, reserve forum, manage the fund, invoice and risk associated with the event. The event manager must grab hold on to a positive attitude and he/she should be able to communicate well with the people. It is a profession in which one needs to be highly organized and he/she must pay attention to every minor detail of the occurrence and provide the team with useful insights. 

An event manager may earn anywhere near Rs.34,000-Rs.50,000 per month.

3. Editor

Editing is considered to be an essential part of the production process. An editor is responsible for ensuring the quality of the footage that is aired on the television. They meet the daily production deadlines and keep in check with the cameraman, lighting and sound technicians. The editorial job is prevalent in the television media industry due toa wide range of audience relying on the content demonstrated in the new channels.

An editor of a well-established organization may earn somewhere around Rs.2,02,000 per year. 

4. Screenwriter

A screenwriter or a scriptwriter in the television series or shows play a very important role in his the information or dialogue is conveyed to its viewers. The plotlines are not made on the spot rather they require a lot of rechecking and factual inspection of the information which is going to be aired. The job of a screenwriter is to provide the material in a written context. The scope of a screenwriter is really high as they can seek employment in the entertainment industry of the television as well which shall increase the income prospects of the individual. 

A screenwriter may earn up to Rs.2-3 lakh per year on average.

5. Illustrator

An illustrator is the person who formulates marketable designs and creates images for commercial use. They are skilled in the art and their job is to produce such artistic creations which can be used by various companies in their endeavour. This is a project-oriented job and not a typical nine to five job however, some companies appoint full-time illustrator. The illustrator needs to grab hold of the project best suited for his/her capability. Illustrators must not be confused with artists as an illustrator is a fine artist specialized in illustrations but not every artist is an illustrator. 

An illustrator can earn somewhere near Rs.2-4 lakh per year based on the level of experience and expertise in their work. 

6. Critic

A critic is a professional personnel employed in the production team for articulating, evaluating and analyzing the opinions of the various elements of the creation in the production. It may either be related to media creation, art, cinema, popular culture, content and so on. They are specialized in critical thinking and they also form opinions for the team on various issues.

On average, a critic may earn up to Rs.3-4 lakh per year.

7. Photojournalist

In order to make the news in the newspaper look reliable and realistic, the newspaper agencies hire photojournalists. The job of the photojournalists has become of great importance due to the growth in the digital market. Their job is to bring a photograph which can make a headline in the newspaper. The different angles from which the photos are clicked determines the length of the story that can be generated from it. Every situation’s news when published with a visual perspective can be more meaningful to its viewers. 

A photojournalist can earn up to Rs.4-6 lakhs per year based on their work.

8. Radio Jockey

A Radio Jockey, mostly known as RJ is personnel in the radio industry who is basically a host of one of the shows aired on the radio stations. Their job is to keep the ears of the listeners glued to their radio station by either engulfing in a sophisticated and meaningful conversation with them or by playing the music of their choice. The individual opting to become an RJ must have a good voice and also a happy vibe to them which will attract more listeners. The revenue of the radio stations are directly related to the performance of the RJs in their associations. 

A radio jockey may earn up to Rs.1-2 lakh per month if he/she is really talented and has gained a few years of experience. 

9. TV Correspondent

A TV correspondent is a journalist or reporter who telecasts the news directly from the main scene area. They correspond the news from the remote, distant or such areas where an event may be held. This is a difficult job as they may need to be present at the location in different climatic issues and despite such complication, they are required to convey the news with a lot of accuracy and most often without any time to prepare. 

A TV correspondent works really hard and based on that they are paid somewhere near Rs.1-3 lakh per year.

10. Art Director

An art director is responsible for the outlook of the set or the studio in which the shooting takes place. Every individual can not design or direct the visuals portrayed on the screen with the utmost accuracy. The graphic designer and art directors work closely for the proper portrayal of the news. The art directors are responsible for directing the graphic designers how to go about the display of the advertisements and the headlines going along the screen. 

On average, an art director earns somewhere around Rs.50,000-Rs.70,000 per month.

11. News Writer

Every news published in the newspaper is written by a news writer. Their job is to provide news which is either already there or at times create content for the news. News writers also write news which is read by the news anchors or news reporters. It is a very prominent professionals in the media industry and requires good writing skills with a tinge of a decent vocabulary. 

A news writer receives an amount of Rs.2-3 lakh per year. 

12. Article Writer

In every magazine or online news portals, there are article writers who provide deep insight on every topic which prevails in the news channels. The article writers not only jot down points from the actual incidents but also helps in the formation of opinions in the mass. 

The article writers can earn somewhere near Rs.1-2 lakh per year. 

13. News Reporter

As the name suggests, a news reporter is one who reads out the news which is telecasted on the news channels. They cover news from any local events to events taking place at the national level. This profession demands good communicating skills and very clear pronunciation. The commitment of their job is demanding and they also bear pressure from the political and other changes in the country.

A news reporter can earn anywhere between Rs.3-4 lakh per annum. 

14. Public Relation Officer

A Public Relation Officer or a PR is a practice of managing the spread of information between an individual or organization or the public. They are responsible for the publicity stunts of any organizations which can bring them to the limelight. This can be well understood with an example. For instance, the announcement of Facebook supporting LGBT’s rights brought the Facebook team into the limelight and it developed the public relations of the company. Similarly, any small or large strategic execution in relation to the public occurs with the assistance of a public relation officer. 

A public relation officer directs his/her attention in uplifting the company’s reputation which brings about a positive change in the organization. Hence, a public relation officer earns somewhere near Rs.3,10,000 per annum. 

15. Producer

The job of a producer is to make sure that the allover production house is doing well. It includes overseeing all the activities of the channel and managing the subordinates. They are responsible for providing financial assistance for the production and they also look after the hiring of the staff and organizing and executing the various planned activities. 

A producer is the head of any production house and hence they earn somewhere near Rs.6-10 lakh per year. 

Pros and Cons 

Everything in life has its own share of pros and cons and before opting for any option one must acknowledge and weigh all the possibilities. Mass communication is a wide sector and along with some advantages, it also comes with its share of disadvantages and they are enumerated below.

Pros/ Advantages 

1. It helps in enhancing the communication skills and vocabulary of the person concerned.
2. It helps in improving the creativity of the individual working in this field because of the various project they work on. 
3. The personnel in this profession are always at their toes to stay updated which is the requirement of their job. Hence, it promotes awareness in the professionals of this field. 
4. Mass communication also provides freedom and platform to express the thoughts on a large scale. 
5. It promoted critical thinking and also brings about healthy competition in the work field. 
6. It brings a sense of job satisfaction. 

Cons/ Disadvantages 

1. There is no stability of work in this domain. Many people suffer financial instability as in the beginning the income is really low. 
2. The work can be very demanding and hence one does not get much time for personal life. 
3. There is a lot of political as well as social pressure on the person of this domain. 
4. Coming up with new content on every single day can be challenging and at times it may give rise to a lot of research which requires a lot of time and energy. 

Eligibility Criteria

The prerequisites for the aspirant to be eligible for enrolling themselves in the well-known colleges may vary depending upon the set of mass communication course that one may pursue. 

The fundamental requirements are similar to any other course and it is compulsory that one must complete his/her schooling up to the higher secondary in any stream with at least 45-50% marks to be eligible for the undergraduate courses. For the postgraduate, diploma or doctorate degree a candidate must possess a graduation degree with a minimum of 50% marks. A handful of other standards need to be met as well which require good communication skills with an adequate vocabulary and excellence in writing skills. 

Selection Process

The selection process encompasses entrance exams, personal interviews and group discussion. The process may vary for distinct universities or colleges based on the complexity of the number of students applying for admissions in their institution. The syllabus of mass communication encircles a wide range of topics from several subjects. Hence, the comprehensive, as well as communication skills, are put to test in the selection process. In most cases, the candidates may simply need to pass the eligibility criteria. Further details can be browsed on the selection process for a specific institution in which one wishes to enrol. 

Various Courses

Mass communication is a great sector in itself and it comprises of various fields of work which provides the people of this sector a considerable amount of job satisfaction and social status. The professionals take off the best-suited courses for them from the very outset of their career. There are different programs for the undergraduate and postgraduate students and likewise, the duration also deviates based on one’s interests. The mass communication courses offered by some of the well-established institutions in India for undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma and doctorate degrees are enlisted below. 

• BA in Journalism [ Undergraduate; Duration 3 years ] BA Honors Journalism and Mass Communication ( BMJC ) [ Undergraduate; Duration 3 years ] 
• BA Honors Multi-Media and Mass Communication ( BMMMC ) [ Undergraduate; Duration 3 years ] 
• Bachelor of Mass Media ( BMM ) [ Undergraduate; Duration 3 years ] 
• BA Film- making and Mass Communication ( BFMMC ) [ Undergraduate; Duration 3 years ] 
• MA in Journalism and Mass Communication [ Postgraduate; Duration 2 years ] 
• Post Graduate Certificate Course in Hindi Journalism [ P.G.Certificate Course; Duration 1 year ] 
• Diploma Course in Development Journalism [ Diploma; 4 months ] 
• Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication [ Diploma; 2 years ] 
• Diploma in Media Studies [ Diploma; 3 years ] 
• Post Graduate Diploma in Business Journalism and Corporate Communication ( DBJCC ) [ P.G. Diploma; Duration 1 year ] 
• Post Graduate Diploma in Hindi Journalism [ P.G. Diploma; Duration 2 years ] 
• PhD in Mass Communication [ Doctorate Degree; Duration 2 years ] 

Fees 

Before giving rise to any decision one must always weigh the price he/she may have to pay. Although the fees structure varies depending on the institutions and the course that one opts for but on an average, a student may need to pay somewhere near Rs.50,000-Rs.2,00,000 per year. 

Top Institutions 

The training institutions play a key role in the development of the skills of the students enrolled and associated with them. A field full of competition require people who have not only theoretical but practical knowledge of the various aspects of the activities of the media industry. The top institutions who have furnished the media with the persistence of the finest mastery represented below. 

• Indian Institute of Mass Communication ( IIMC ), Delhi
• Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media ( IIJNM ), Bangalore
• Xavier Institute of Communications ( XIC ), Mumbai
• Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication ( SIMC ), Pune
• Jamie Millia Islamia, New Delhi
• Asian College of Journalism, Chennai
• Mudra Institute of Communications ( MICA ), Ahmedabad
• Indira Gandhi National Open University ( IGNOU )
• Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology ( KIIT ), Odisha

Career Scope

The mass communication or mass media sector is a great way to kick start your career as it is a growing industry. There was a time when we had only a single network or channel whereas at present there are multiple news channels. Similarly, numerous radio channels at present are doing so well in this industry. The rise in all these sectors have given rise to several creative and valuable employment opportunities. This industry is bound to grow and there are many renowned companies who hire fresh and skilled faculty in their business operations. With adequate educational qualification, dedication and hard work one can accomplish a successful career in the mass communication sector. 

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