How do you want to do Communications and Journalism

Identifying your career pathway is exciting, but it can be daunting. You might not know where to begin looking. This resource will introduce you to the journalism and communication pathways out there. It will also introduce you to the kinds of organisations that hire these job roles. This resource is intended to guide your own research, therefore the information is not prescriptive or exhaustive. Some of these job positions require transferable skills from journalism and communication, or education and/or experience in another field of study.

Target communication and journalism capabilities

The ability to influence opinion
Clear and concise writing
Articulate and confident verbal communication
Strategic thinking
Research and analysis
Storytelling
Visual design

The Wordsmith

Are you always carrying around a journal to scrawl sentences in? Why not use your flair for the written word in a career in writing? Writers conceptualize, research, write and edit content across different genres. Writing professionals are employed across diverse industries, including business to journalism (See ‘The Storyteller’). Writers can also work independently as a blogger, novelist, etc.

Associated Search Terms:

Technical Writer
Video Games Writer
Ghost-writer
Blogger
Bid or Grant Writer
Web Content Writer
Specialised Writer (medical, sports, business etc.)
Screenwriters
Play or Musical Writers
Author (educational texts, non-fiction books, or textbooks)
Critics (film, music, food etc.)
Novelist

Example Australian Employers

Role	Employer	Location
Technical Writer	Noosa Boardrooms	Noosa, QLD
Content Writer	KJR Australia	Melbourne, VIC
Magazine Writer	Happy Mag	Sydney, NSW
Bid Writer	AustCorp	Perth, WA

Example International Employers

Role	Employer	Location
Newsletter Writer	Not Pot	Boulder, CO, America
Video Games Writer	Amazon Games Studios	San Diego, America
Creative Story Writer	Immersive Arts Studio	Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Content Writer	Tommy Hilfiger	Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands

The Analyst

The Analyst enjoys finding and examining data for patterns and trends and visualising their findings in engaging ways to audiences. They are confident using statistical tools and generating data-driven stories. The Analyst can work in or with a range of private sector companies, or on behalf of governments and non-governmental organisations. A business analyst investigates business’ and stakeholders’ needs, identifies opportunities for improvement, and solves complex problems. A communication or marketing analyst researches and creates environmental and stakeholder scans, and examines potential sales of a product or service. A political analyst researches and studies varying risks including economic conditions, crime, conflict, and government instability etc.

Associated Search Terms:

Digital Media Analyst
Market Research Analyst
Junior Research Executive
Market Researcher
Political Risk Analyst (specialised or generalist)
Data Journalist
Geopolitical risk analyst
Intelligence analyst
Policy Officer
Political Digital Strategist

Example Australian Employers

Role	Employer	Location
Data Journalist	REA Group	Sydney, NSW
Policy Officer	Queensland Government	Brisbane, QLD
Data Analyst	Bank of Queensland	Newstead, QLD
Market Research Analyst	JLL	Canberra, ACT

Example International Employers

Role	Employer	Location
Research Executive	AWARE	Singapore
Market Research Analyst	Frost & Sullivan	Buenos Aires, Argentina
UK Public Affairs and Policy Officer	National Grid	London, England
Junior Risk Analyst	Alma Capital Group	Luxembourg City, Luxembourg

The Spin-doctor

The Spin-doctor lives and breathes politics. They formulate and implement strategies for the politician or political party they represent. The Spin-doctor is responsible for crafting the politician’s image and stage managing their performances. They regularly conduct market research and keep up-to-date with political trends and voters’ opinions to inform their strategies. They have a strong understanding of journalistic practices, so that they can place stories in the media that benefit those they represent and they can advise on media relations. The Spin-doctor proactively manages and advises political campaigns.

Associated Search Terms:

Press Secretary
Social Media Analyst
Legislative Assistant
Media and Communications Electorate Officer
Media and Communications Advisor
Engagement and Culture Advisor
Digital Engagement Advisor
Speechwriter
Campaign Director

Example Australian Employers

Role	Employer	Location
Fundraiser and Communications Coordinator	Queensland Conservation Council	Brisbane, QLD
Media Officer	Brisbane City Council	Brisbane Airport, QLD
Digital/Social Media Manager	Australian Government Department of Finance	Canberra, ACT
Advisor	New South Wales Government Department of Premier and Cabinet	Sydney, NSW

Example International Employers

Role	Employer	Location
Speechwriter	European Stability Mechanism	Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Gender Equality Advisor	World Health Organization	Geneva, Switzerland
Diversity and Engagement Advisor	Department of Internal Affairs	Auckland, New Zealand
Public Information Assistant	United Nations	Nicosia, Cyprus

The Editor

Are you always the first to spot spelling and grammar errors? Do you love rearranging paragraphs and reading? If so, an editing/proofreading career sounds right up your alley! Editors work for a range of publications including newspapers, magazines, online media outlets, government organisations and more.

Associated Search Terms:

Newspaper and Periodical Editor
Book Editor
Script Editor
Content Editor
Copy Editor
Editorial Assistant (can eventuate to Assistant Editor to Associate Editor and finally to Chief Editor)
Press Sub-editor
Proofreader
Publications Editor

Example Australian Employers

Role	Employer	Location
Freelance Sub-Editor	Insider Guides	Brisbane, QLD
News Editor	Key Media	Sydney, NSW
Content Editor	Beyond Blue	Melbourne, VIC
Editor	The Walt Disney Company	Melbourne, VIC

Example International Employers

Role	Employer	Location
Publications Editor	World Trade Organisation	Switzerland
Editor	Oxford University Press	Oxford, England
Copy Editor	Amazon	Seattle, WA, America
Editorial Assistant	Evo Enterprises	East Kilbride, Scotland

The Storyteller

Journalists are storytellers at heart. They share stories to inform the public and shape their perception. The Storyteller plays a crucial role in public interest and archiving historical events or people. The Storyteller is a ‘jack of all trades’ that is experienced in crafting stories for various formats, including multimedia and visual storytelling, print media, video and audio production and editing, and social media. Typical employers of The Storyteller include national, regional, and local newspapers (print and online), radio and television stations, magazines, media and broadcast companies, and creative digital media companies. The Storyteller can work in the spotlight or behind the scenes of a story.

Associated Search Terms:

News Reporter
Journalist
Radio Show Host
News Producer
Entertainment Reporter
Radio Presenter
Television Presenter
Newspaper Journalist or Magazine Journalist (online and/or print)
Broadcast Journalist (radio, television, and the internet)
Photojournalist
Foreign Correspondent
Specialised Reporter (business, science, politics etc.)

Example Australian Employers

Role	Employer	Location
Reporter	Australian Broadcasting Corporation	Sydney, NSW
Sports Journalist	Seven West Media	Townsville, QLD
Television Presenter	Racing.com	Melbourne, VIC
News Producer	Nine	North Sydney, NSW

Example International Employers

Role	Employer	Location
Investigative Reporter	Orato World Media Inc.	Bowen Island, British Columbia
News Anchor	TST Media	Dhaka, Bangladesh
Journalist	BBC	Belfast, Northern Ireland
Freelance Journalist	Maritime Fairtrade	Taipei City, Taiwan

The Multimedia Enthusiast

Are you passionate about creative design, videography or photography? A career in the arts might be the fit for you. The multimedia enthusiast combines their communication skills with their technical media production skills to create eye-capturing, impactful media. They might also use their communication skills when negotiating design elements with clients. The multimedia enthusiast finds new and exciting ways to connect with or involve their audience.

Associated Search Terms:

Content Manager
Web or Multimedia Producer
Artistic Directors
Graphic Designer
Illustrator (including Animator)
Web Designer or Developer
Multimedia Specialist
Cinematographer
Film and Video Editor
Interactive Media Developer
Photographer
Videographer
Motion Designer/Social Video Ad Creator

Example Australian Employers

Role	Employer	Location
Social Media & Content Manager	Starward Whiskey	Melbourne, VIC
Multimedia Specialist	Polar Media	Perth, WA
Photographer	Princess Polly	Burleigh Heads, QLD
Graphic Designer	Viveo Group	Brisbane, QLD

Example International Employers

Role	Employer	Location
Visual Editor	CNN	New York, America
Web Designer	Studio Graphene	Lisbon, Portugal
Interactive Media Developer	Edmonton Public Library	Edmonton, AB, Canada
Video Editor	Storms	Singapore

The Networker

Do you consider yourself a social butterfly? Do you love meeting and talking to new people? Then a ‘networking’ career might just be the butter to your bread. The Networker is an active listener, a negotiator and a communicator all at once. They are specifically adept at interpersonal communication. They thrive off regularly conversing with clients or publics one-on-one.

Associated Search Terms:

Meeting/Event Planner
Social Media Manager
Real Estate Agent
Human Resources Manager
Corporate or Personnel Recruiter
Mediation or Negotiation Specialist
Sales Assistant or Representative (can eventuate to Sales Manager)
Contact Centre Manager

Example Australian Employers

Role	Employer	Location
Real Estate Agent	Seaside Real Estate	Sunshine Coast, QLD
Recruiter	Pacific People Solutions	Brisbane, QLD
Mediator	South Australia Police	Adelaide, SA
Social Media Manager	Lorna Jane	Brisbane, QLD

Example International Employers

Role	Employer	Location
Event Planner	Michael Page	Tokyo, Japan
Human Resources Manager	IKEA	Afragola, Campania, Italy
Recruiter	Insider	Istanbul, Turkey
Mediator	Koniag Government Services	Carolina, Puerto Rico

The Relationship Builder

The Relationship Builder is passionate about influencing public opinion or government decisions and policies. Their role is to create, maintain or repair the relationship between one or more clients and their publics/audience. The Relationship Builder has to strategically plan goals and objectives, and create and implement tactics to achieve these. Whether these goals and objectives have been achieved are evaluated after their specified timeframe. In public relations, The Relationship Builder can be involved in brand awareness, reputation management, or issues and crisis communication. They can also pitch stories to journalists to increase publicity around their client/s. The Relationship Builder works for public relations, marketing and advertising agencies which service multiple clients, or internally for corporations, government agencies, and not-for-profit organisations in communications departments. They may also work as a lobbyist on behalf of a group or individual.

Associated Search Terms:

Social Media Specialist
Strategic Communications Officer
Communications Advisor
Account Executive or public relations consultant (can eventuate to Public Relations/Communications Manager, Director, or Specialist)
Community Relations Coordinator
Fashion Public Relations Manager
Stakeholder Engagement Advisor
Lobbyist
Diplomat or Ambassador

Example Australian Employers

Role	Employer	Location
Social Media Specialist	Diamondport	Brisbane, QLD
Digital Communications Officer	Infrastructure Partnerships Australia	Homebush, NSW
Public Relations Account Executive	P4 Group	Newstead, QLD
Stakeholder and Community Relations Coordinator	CPB Contractors	Melbourne, VIC

Example International Employers

Role	Employer	Location
Public Relations Manager	Rare Beauty	Los Angeles, CA, America
Federal Regulatory Lobbyist	American Medical Association	Chicago, IL, America
Creative Communications Officer	European Council on Foreign Relations	Berlin, Germany
Public Relations Executive	Mutant Communications	Singapore

The Marketer

The Marketer promotes products and/or services to customers, investors, or potential buyers to drive sales. The Marketer monitors market trends, creates advertising campaigns, and develops pricing and targeting strategies based on demographic data. The Marketer’s roles generally fall under either digital marketing and/or traditional marketing. They may also fall under public relations, especially regarding building brand or product/service awareness. Digital marketing includes pay-per-click marketing, search engine optimisation, and content marketing.

Associated Search Terms:

Copywriter
Marketing Coordinator (can eventuate to a Marketing Specialist or Communications Manager)
Content Marketer
Brand Manager
Digital Strategist
Creative Marketing Officer

Example Australian Employers

Role	Employer	Location
Marketing & Digital Coordinator (in-house)	JLCA	Maddington, WA
Social Media Strategist	Total Sport & Entertainment	Sydney, NSW
Digital Strategist	News Corp Australia	Sydney, NSW
Marketing Officer	Trieste Global	Brisbane Airport, QLD

Example International Employers

Role	Employer	Location
Copywriter	Revolut	London, England
Content Marketer	Sensolus	Ghent, Flemish Region, Belgium
Digital Strategist	Saatchi & Saatchi	Warszawa, Wielkopolskie, Poland
Marketing Officer	The Hunger Project	New York, America

The Global Communicator

If you are passionate about languages or international affairs, then a career in international relations and linguistics might fit you. The Global Communicator is interested in the complexity of language and/or intercultural relations and global governance or business. The Global Communicator can take on the role of an advisor to governments or businesses. They can also be a translator or interpreter. Research plays a vital part in a Global Communicator’s career.

Associated Search Terms:

Cultural Advisor/Liaison
Translator
Interpreter
International Business Consultant

Example Australian Employers

Role	Employer	Location
Associate Translator/Interpreter	Nintendo	Redmond, WA
Interpreter	Northern Health	Epping, VIC
Headspace Cultural Advisor	Central Australian Aboriginal Congress	Elliott, NT
Cultural Practice Advisor	Queensland Government	Logan, QLD

Example International Employers

Role	Employer	Location
Diversity & Inclusion Advisor	Norton Rose Fulbright	Newcastle, England
Business Strategy Consultant	BSG	Steve Tshwete, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Marketing Content Translator	Bang Energy	Berlin, Germany
Freelance Interpreter	Geneva Worldwide	New York, America

This page was created through a HASS Student Futures Student Staff Partnership.

Student Partner

Chelsea is a final-year communication and journalism student at The University of Queensland, majoring in public relations and digital media. Chelsea hopes to create engaging employability resources in this project to help HASS students identify the diverse career pathways their degree can lead them to.

Staff Partner

Locky is the Career Development Learning Advisor for the HASS Faculty who studied many history units as part of his BA majoring in Politics and International Relations. It's Locky's mission to help HASS students recognise and articulate their capabilities, and plan for their future career.