Traditionally, a career in the media industry would involve working in TV, print publications or radio. But the media industry today really encompasses all forms of communication, including websites, social media and on the wider internet. For that reason, brand new jobs, roles and sub-industries are appearing all the time and there has subsequently been a huge spike in media related careers over the last two decades.
Read our guide to learn more about the careers available within the industry, the skills you need to secure those roles and the benefits of working in the media industry.
- Why work in the media industry?
- What careers are available in the world of media?
- What skills are needed to work in media?
- What degrees help with a career in media?
1. Why work in the media industry?
Work from anywhere
Some media and communication related jobs offer unique flexibility you may not find in other industries. When the job is predominately online, some employers offer flexible or remote work, giving you the chance to work anywhere you have an internet connection.
Fast-paced, changing environment
The world of media is constantly changing, and if you work in media your job will be evolving with the industry. You will get unique opportunities within your job that wouldn’t necessarily be offered in other industries.
You will be working creatively
Although the media industry is a broad sector, one thing all the jobs have in common is that they are built on creativity. Whether that’s creativity involving design, or using a creative thinking approach, most roles within the media industry allow you to work creatively. Studies show that working creatively can help express yourself, improving overall job satisfaction.
2. What careers are available in the world of media?
There are numerous roles available within the world of media, but a few of the most common are:
Television and Film
The film and television sectors are notoriously competitive, with many aspiring to be film directors, producers and presenters. Whilst this work can be incredibly rewarding, most roles are filled on a freelance basis and frequent work can’t be guaranteed. Other roles within the TV and film industry include:
- Editors
- Lighting and sound technicians
- Location managers
- Researchers
- Writers
- Animators
- Runners – a role as a runner is an entry-level job on a film or TV set, and most with a career in TV or film production started their careers this way. This work isn’t regularly advertised so it’s best to contact your local production companies to see if they have any openings.
Advertising and Marketing
Working in advertising or marketing can be a very rewarding career path. Marketing is a key part of almost every organisation, which means your expertise will be in demand across a vast range of fields. Advertisers and marketers also can drive a high level of success with what they do – meaning you could be making a direct difference to your company with your work.
Job roles within the advertising and marketing sector are generally either ‘in-house’, working directly for a company, or within an agency, working with multiple businesses at once. Job roles can include:
- Advertising account executive
- Copywriter
- Marketing assistant
- Digital marketer
- Market researcher
- Marketing executive
- PPC specialist, working in online paid advertising
- Graphic designer
- Marketing manager
- Communications manager
- Social media manager
- Talent agent
3. What skills are needed to work in the media industry?
Due to the number of careers available in the media industry, it’s not possible to say which skills are needed for each job. However, there are a few skills that would benefit you in any role within the industry:
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- The ability to work well independently and within a team
- Creativity and innovation
- Management skills
- Problem-solving abilities
- Knowing how to prioritise work and meet deadlines
- IT skills (being able to use programs like Word and Excel as well as more specialist programs)
If you are interested in a specific role within the media industry, we would suggest finding job adverts for those roles and looking at the job description and person specification. Identify the skills and experience you already have, or where you need to improve to meet the essential criteria for the role. Read our guide to the top skills that employers want to see on your CV.
4. What degrees help with a career in media?
There are many routes to a career in media – you don’t necessarily have to attend university. Experience is key within this industry but it’s always worth looking at the person specification included in the adverts for the types of jobs you are interested in and see if they list a degree as part of the essential criteria.
If they don’t list a degree as necessary and you meet the essential criteria listed, then start applying! If a degree is listed as part of the person specification, there are a few subjects you could consider:
- Media studies
- Advertising and marketing
- Film studies
- Communication
- Journalism
- Cultural and media studies
- Psychology
- Media production
Take a look at the Unitemps job search portal to see if we have any roles available within the media industry or get more career advice by reading our other articles.
Last updated on 22 February 2023
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