Communications

School leavers who have an interest in media or communication studies have a number of CAO options, including both higher certificates and degrees. Course titles to choose from include Communication Studies, Media Studies, Communications with Multimedia, Media & Cultural Studies, Film & Media, Media Arts, Applied Cultural Studies, and Journalism & Visual Media, among others. The CAO points required range from about 200 to over 450. There are also a large number of PLC course options available.

The subjects available to study vary from course to course; however, most include a mixture of practical training and experience in TV, Film, Radio, Photography, Multimedia, Business, Law Web-design, or Creative Writing, as well as theoretical humanities subjects such as Sociology, Film Studies, Cultural Studies, Linguistics, Economics, Politics, and Philosophy.

Working on projects forms a large part of most courses – students typically work in groups to produce radio documentaries, live TV shows, short films or web-based projects, and students gain experience using technology such as digital cameras, sound desks, web-design software and film cameras. Some courses also organise work placements for students with local production companies or TV/radio stations.

Options after Qualification

Most graduates of Communications and Media Studies courses are prepared for work in a variety of creative careers, including radio, TV, film, journalism, creative writing, corporate video, multimedia, e-business, graphic design, advertising, marketing, PR, publishing and many more.

As Communications and Media Studies offer a broad education, many students decide to go on to postgraduate study and specialise in one particular area.

The Work

Usuall, entry-level positions in TV and radio are on a work experience or internship level. Even graduates with degrees start off making tea and labelling tapes in a production company or post-production house. You have to show initiative to move up to more senior positions.

Researchers and production assistants on a TV or radio show will generally have a wide variety of different responsibilities, including booking crew for shoots (cameramen, key grips, and so on), researching guests’ backgrounds, calculating budgets, making transport and accommodation arrangements, and suggesting creative ideas.

A producer is the head of the production team. Producers have an idea and put together a proposal for the programme, hire the crew and talent, receive a commission from a TV station or secure funding from other backers, and ensure the project comes in on-budget and on time.

Directors are responsible for the finished content that appears on screen. Directors plan visuals with the camera operators, deal with guests, interviewees, or actors to help them perform in front of the camera, write scripts for voice-overs or montages and sit with the editor to put the finished project together.

The responsibilities the graduate of a communications based degree might face while managing the communications for an organisation can vary wildly depending on what your company does or the scale of the projects you’ll be running. It could be as low key as managing a social media campaign and newsletter, and could reach as high as researching company strategy, branding and development.

Personal Qualities & Work Environment

Thos who are interested in communications or media studies need a combination of creativity, dedication, and common sense to get the top. Teamwork and communication skills are highly valued, as are practical and technical abilities.
Producers, researchers, directors, and other media professionals can either work full-time for TV, a radio station or a production house, or they can work freelance on a contract basis. Freelance workers can often have very busy periods interspersed with quiet times. Working hours can be long, and shoots can be stressful.

The Money

Despite Tom Cruise making $50m a movie, the media industry doesn’t pay new entrants quite as well, with starting salaries (after time spent on work experience) at around €20, 000 a year. However, if you are successful, salaries can rise quickly – established radio presenters can earn between €30, 000 and €65, 000. Meanwhile depending on where you work, marketing work can be quite lucrative, earning anything from €30 – €60, depending on the company you work for and your level of experience.

Jargon

• Shoot: The recording of an event on camera
• Commission: When a broadcaster agrees to show a programme and provides the financial backing
• Key Grip: A member of a crew who adjusts sets, lighting, and props, and sometimes assists the camera operator
• Inbound Marketing: creating leads via specialised software
• SEO: Search Engine Optimization – the practice of increasing the quantity and quality of traffic to your website through organic search engine results.

Job Titles

• Researcher
• Producer
• Director
• Editor
• Designer
• Journalist
• Marketer
• Digital Communications Officer