What Does A Postsecondary Communications Teacher Do (including Their Typical Day at Work)

Stan T.Career, Overview

Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Communications Professors

Communications Professors 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.

Salary
$80940
Becoming One
Very Hard
Education
Master's degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth
Personality
Interest Match
EnglishHistoryPhilosophySociologyTeaching
Overview

What they do

Communications Professors 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.

  • 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.

Typical day

On a daily basis, Communications Professors initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions. They maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.

A typical day for a Postsecondary Communications Teacher will also include:

  • Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as public speaking, media criticism, and oral traditions.
  • Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.
  • Evaluate and grade students’ class work, assignments, and papers.
  • Perform administrative duties, such as serving as department head.
  • Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Communications Professors also direct theatre productions and projects. They may also maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Communications Professors supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work. They might also plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.

In addition, they serve on academic or administrative committees that deal with institutional policies, departmental matters, and academic issues.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them participate in student recruitment, registration, and placement activities.

To some Communications Professors, it is also their responsibility to evaluate and grade students’ class work, assignments, and papers.

What is the job like

Job satisfaction

Very High

Is this job meaningful

Very High

83% said they were satisfied with their job and 83% said they found their job meaningful.

Kirk Hazlett
The University of Tampa

About one-third of my on-campus time was spent in the classroom teaching, explaining information contained in the textbook and clarifying that information by sharing experiences from my own past that related to that particular area of the textbook. I also brought in guest speakers such as current-day practitioners who could talk even more about current … Read More

Heather Hayes, MA
Pace University

Pace University’s Media, Communications, and Visual Arts department houses four majors –Communications (BA), Digital Journalism (BS), Public Relations (BS), and Digital Cinema and Filmmaking (BS) – as well as five minors – Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Art, Sports Media and Broadcasting, and Integrated Marketing and Communication. Moreover, the department offers a fully online MA in … Read More

Pros

Suitable for people who like to help and teach others.

Suitable for people who value relationships between co-workers and customers and want to work in a friendly non-competitive environment.

This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.

Very good salary.

Cons

Not suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.

It is very hard to get into this career. Extensive skills, knowledge, and experience are required for this career.

Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).

How much do they make

Average salary

$80940 per year

Average hourly wage

$* per hour

Entry-level Communications Professors with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $40,690 to $54,050 per year or $* to $* per hour.

Salary by experience Annual Hourly
Highest (Top 10%) $137,520 $*
Senior (Top 25%) $98,750 $*
Median $71,030 $*
Junior (Bottom 25%) $54,050 $*
No experience (Bottom 10%) $40,690 $*

This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Communications Professors based on their average annual salary.

Salary by industry Annual Hourly
Junior Colleges $88160 $*
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools $78470 $*
Technical and Trade Schools $49580 $*

View more salary by industries here.

Where can they work

Where can Communications Professors work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Communications Professors including the average salary in that industry.

Employers Total Employed Annual Salary Hourly Wages
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools 20990 $78470 $*
Junior Colleges 7370 $88160 $*
Technical and Trade Schools 50 $49580 $*

What is the work day like

Working hours

Less than 40 hours
45%
40 hours
1%
More than 40 hours
54%

Working schedule

Regular
76%
Irregular
10%
Seasonal
14%

Email

How often do you use email in this job?

Once a week
7%
Every day
93%

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week
9%
Every day
47%

Group discussions

How often do you have group discussions in this job?

Once a week
16%
Every day
77%

Public speaking

How often does this job require you to do public speaking?

Never
2%
Once a year
8%
Once a month
0%
Once a week
39%
Every day
51%

Level of competition

How much competitive pressure is in this job?

Not competitive at all
8%
Slightly competitive
17%
Moderately competitive
23%
Highly competitive
29%
Extremely competitive
23%

What is the work environment like

Office-style environment

Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition

Never
9%
Once a year or more
0%
Once a month or more
0%
Once a week or more
9%
Every day
83%

Warehouse-style environment

Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse

Never
68%
Once a year or more
25%
Once a month or more
8%
Once a week or more
0%
Every day
0%

Outdoors

Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions

Never
83%
Once a year or more
17%
Once a month or more
0%
Once a week or more
0%
Every day
0%

Outdoors – Under Cover

Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)

Never
89%
Once a year or more
10%
Once a month or more
1%
Once a week or more
0%
Every day
0%

How to become one

Difficulty to become one

Very Hard
You will need an extensive amount of skill, knowledge, and experience. Careers in this difficulty category usually require graduate school and more than five years of experience. These careers usually involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Similar careers include Pharmacists, Lawyers, Astronomers, Neurologists, and Veterinarians.

Required level of education

What level of education do you need to perform the job?

Less than a High School Diploma
0%
High School Diploma or equivalent
0%
Post-Secondary Certificate
0%
Some College Courses
0%
Associate’s Degree or similar
0%
Bachelor’s Degree
0%
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
0%
Master’s Degree
71%
Post-Master’s Certificate
1%
First Professional Degree
0%
Doctoral Degree
17%
Post-Doctoral Training
11%

Relevant majors

Business/Corporate Communications

Any program in business or corporate communications not included above.

Business/Corporate Communications

A program that prepares individuals to function in an organization as a composer, editor, and proofreader of business or business-related communications.

Documentary Production

A program that prepares individuals to produce nonfiction film and video. Includes instruction in film and video writing, directing, and production; film studies; history of the documentary; research techniques; videography; editing; and business aspects of film production.

Sports Communication

A program that focuses on the methods and techniques for communicating about sports in a variety of formats, media, and contexts; and that prepares individuals to be sports reporters and writers, photojournalists, radio and television announcers, producers and directors, recreational sports promoters, and public relations specialists. Includes instruction in sports writing, photography, broadcast journalism, sports production, game rules, media and public relations, and sports promotion.

Political Communication

A program that focuses on human and media communication in the political process and that prepares individuals to function as members of political and public affairs organizations, political campaign staffs, and related government and media entities. Includes instruction in media effects, political speaking and debating, political advertising and marketing, image management, political journalism, opinion polling, and aspects of print and broadcast media related to the production and distribution of media messages in political settings.

Advertising

A program that focuses on the creation, execution, transmission, and evaluation of commercial messages in various media intended to promote and sell products, services, and brands; and that prepares individuals to function as advertising assistants, technicians, and managers. Includes instruction in advertising theory, marketing strategy, advertising design and production methods, campaign methods and techniques, media management, related principles of business management, and applicable technical and equipment skills.

Public Relations/Image Management

A program that focuses on the theories and methods for managing the media image of a business, organization, or individual and the communication process with stakeholders, constituencies, audiences, and the general public; and that prepares individuals to function as public relations assistants, technicians, and managers. Includes instruction in public relations theory; related principles of advertising, marketing, and journalism; message/image design; image management; special event management; media relations; community relations; public affairs; and internal communications.

Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication

A general program that focuses on organizational communication, public relations, and advertising; and that prepares individuals to function in a wide range of public and private sector positions requiring the skills of persuasive communication. Includes instruction in communications, public relations, and advertising theory; principles and techniques of persuasion; message/image design; marketing strategy; professional writing; public speaking and multi-media presentation skills; digital communications; and applied research.

Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia

A program that focuses on the development, use, critical evaluation, and regulation of new electronic communication technologies using computer applications; and that prepares individuals to function as developers and managers of digital communications media. Includes instruction in computer and telecommunications technologies and processes; design and development of digital communications; marketing and distribution; digital communications regulation, law, and policy; the study of human interaction with, and use of, digital media; and emerging trends and issues.

Radio and Television

A program that focuses on the theories, methods, and techniques used to plan, produce, and distribute audio and video programs and messages, and that prepares individuals to function as staff, producers, directors, and managers of radio and television shows and media organizations. Includes instruction in media aesthetics; planning, scheduling, and production; writing and editing; performing and directing; personnel and facilities management; marketing and distribution; media regulations, law, and policy; and principles of broadcast technology.

Journalism

Science/Health/Environmental Journalism

A program that focuses on reporting on science, health, or environmental policy issues; investigating environmental problems and their causes; and public relations. Includes instruction in communication law, health reporting skills, interactive journalism, integrated marketing communication, journalism methods, media ethics, persuasion and political communication, science, health and the environment, social marketing, and video journalism.

Cultural Journalism

A program of study that prepares individuals to be journalists who critically examine current culture as expressed through the visual and performing arts, design, film, music, radio, television, dance, theater, and written text. Includes instruction in arts criticism, art and entertainment reporting, cultural critique, investigative reporting, newspaper reporting, photojournalism, and writing.

Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs

International and Intercultural Communication

A program that focuses on the specialized knowledge and skills needed for effective communication in the international community and among people of different cultures; and that prepares individuals to function at the national and international levels as journalists, public relations specialists, travel industry representatives, intercultural trainers, and/or foreign service officers. Includes instruction in journalism, communications, intercultural and international relations, marketing and public relations, and global communications policy.

Relevant work experience

How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?

None
9%
1 month
0%
1 to 3 months
0%
3 to 6 months
0%
6 months to 1 year
0%
1 to 2 years
41%
2 to 4 years
30%
4 to 6 years
5%
6 to 8 years
0%
8 to 10 years
0%
Over 10 years
16%

On The Job Training

How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?

None or short demonstration
27%
1 month
9%
1 to 3 months
0%
3 to 6 months
0%
6 months to 1 year
29%
1 to 2 years
6%
2 to 4 years
29%
4 to 10 years
0%
Over 10 years
0%

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Helper

People with this personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.

The Builder
14%

People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

The Thinker
57%

People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.

The Artist
67%

People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.

The Helper
100%

People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.

The Leader
52%

People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.

The Organizer
48%

People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tend to like working with, communicating with, and teaching people. They like helping or providing service to others.

They also like working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.

Work Values

Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?

Achievement
81%

You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.

Working Conditions
67%

You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.

Recognition
76%

You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.

Relationships
86%

You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.

Support
38%

You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.

Independence
81%

You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.

FAQ

Explore Other Careers

Don’t know which career to pursue?

Take the career quiz to find careers that match your personality type.

Take The Career Quiz