Mass Communication Career: Package and Job Details

Journalism is news reporting, whereas mass communication is all about different mediums of media to spread messages. Popular mass communication career paths include Advertising, Public Relations, Photography, and Film and television. The average salary offered for a mass communication career is INR 4.02 lakh per annum.

There are diverse career options in Journalism that the candidates can pursue to enhance their career achievements and express their creativity. The different job profiles of Mass Communication are added below for the candidate's easy reference. Mass Communication as a career has grown extensively in the last few years.

Mass Communication Career in India

Ever thought of becoming a TV show anchor? Well, that is one of the popular careers in mass communication. A job profile concerning the mass communication field as more and more people are leaning towards finding a mass communication career. The main pillars of digital communication are electronic media, which creates lots of scope in mass communication.

The job roles include content writer, blogger, copywriter, etc., in numerous news channels, magazines, and media houses after their graduation. The following are a few popular mass communication job profiles that people intend to do:

• Radio Jockey (RJ)
• Screenwriter
• Film Director
• Editor
• Event Manager
• Producer
• Public Relations Officer

The most frequently used types of mass communication career profiles used in today's world are:

1. Advertising: Marketing a product through mass media.
2. Journalism: Collecting, editing, and broadcasting news.
3. Public Relations: Providing information to the public for a specific product.
4. Photography: A way of showing and expressing anything in the form of photographs
5. Film and Television: It is an important source for current affairs and entertainment

1. Radio Jockey (RJ)

A Radio Jockey (RJ) is a person who hosts a radio talk show. The key job responsibilities include the candidate writing program scripts, creating/ record commercials for future broadcasts, approving/publicising music tracks, and accepting listeners' song requests.

Salary: A trainee is offered INR 7,000 to INR 14,000 per month. After becoming a permanent member, the salary can range anywhere from INR 15,000 to INR 45,000 per month. However, if the channel is sponsored by any company, RJ receives about INR 2,500 to INR 5,000 per show.

2. Screenwriter

A screenwriter is a writer who solely practices the craft of screenwriting. Screenwriters are expected to develop original material/script and rework based on the actual events or works such as a book, play, or film.

Salary: Screenwriters can expect to get from INR 35,000 to INR 40,000 per project as assistants to a senior. However, if one moves up the ranks, the sky's the limit as they can earn a lot.

3. Film Director

A Film Director is a person who directs the entire making of a film. The film director's key responsibilities include controlling and managing creative components like editing/reading scripts and directing/motivating actors.

Salary: A director can earn INR 5 Cr to INR 10 Cr depending on the film house and the project they join.

4. Content Editor

An Editor is a person who is in charge of the final content for anything from a newspaper to a magazine. The key responsibilities include editing copy and educating writers on best practices for identifying different ways to improve the flow of content pieces.

Salary: The editor's salary ranges from INR 2.16 Lakh per annum to INR 4 Lakh per annum.

5. Event Manager

An event manager is someone who has to plan and manage huge events. The primary roles are planning, managing, coordinating, and organizing various types of events.

The duties include:

• Handling the budget
• Brainstorming and implementing event plans
• Negotiating sponsorship deals
• Creating surveys on event feedback

Salary: The event manager can expect anywhere between INR 30,000 and INR 40,000 per month to start with. With experience, an event manager can get a salary of up to INR 3 Lakh per month.

6. Producer

A producer is a person who takes care of film production. They are responsible for business and financial matters. The main duties of Producers include hiring crew members and cast members to build the budget for the production.

The various roles of producer include,

• Video and Digital Producer
• Video Editor
• Writer/Producer
• Podcast Producer

Salary: With 1 to 4 years of experience, the producer can easily earn INR 2 lakh per month. But with more time spent in the industry, they can go as high as INR 14 lakh.

7. Public Relations Officer

The Public Relations officer is the head of communication and is in charge of all public relations activities. The key responsibilities include writing press releases like speeches, newsletters, websites, social media, and press inquiries. In addition, public relations officers are responsible for managing the reputation of a company.

Salary: As a fresher, a public relations officer can get INR 20,000 per month, and as an experience, they can earn about INR 2 lakh per month.

Mass Communication Salary

Whenever we look for a job, the first thing we look at is how much the job is paying. In particular, one can earn a lot when coming to a mass communication career with more than five years of experience. Typically as a fresher in mass communication, one can earn between INR 12,000 to INR 25,000 per month, depending on the job profile and location. However, an expert having about five years of experience can get a salary starting from INR 50,000 per month to more than INR 1 Lakh per month.

Tabulated below is the salary that can be earned in the mass communication career.

Is Mass Communication a Good Career Option?

For a mass communication career, the answer is yes. There are many Mass Communication career opportunities. I shall try answering this question in detail in parts. Before, people with good communication skills and a degree in literature were considered for journalism and other areas of mass communication. But, with technology playing a much greater role than ever before, all professions related to mass communication require only skilled professionals who work fast and efficiently.

Generally, people complete their graduate degree in this field, but one needs to pursue further studies, i.e., a postgraduate course, to firmly get a hold on the subject. A degree in mass communication opens various doors to many brighter career options.

A career in mass communication usually has a dynamic scope for career prospects. If you are a person who needs to have creativity, a way with words and excellent communication skills, it is the right position. Another important point to be noted here is that you need to have a lot of patience because, in this field, it takes loads of hard work and time to make it to the big leagues.

Eligibility Criteria for Mass Communication

Students aspiring to be in mass communication have to fulfil the basic eligibility criteria. Though various colleges have different selection criteria, the basic eligibility criteria for selecting students are good scores in 12th.

Students must fulfil the eligibility criteria given below to get into the top colleges or institutes of their choice.

• Students must have completed their class 12 from a recognized education board in any stream of education.
• The student must have secured a minimum of 45% to 50% of marks in class 12 to be eligible for the undergraduate degree courses.
• However, for post-graduate degree courses, students must have completed graduation with at least 50% marks.

Skills Required to be a Mass Communication Specialist

If one needs to achieve great heights in mass communication, one must possess the required skills. The basic skills required are communication and creativity.

Below are the skills required to be a mass communication specialist.

• The most basic skills required are good communication, verbal, writing, and observational skills.
• A mass communication specialist must possess excellent critical thinking, design & development, cultural awareness, and problem-solving skills.
• A graduate must have the ability to create media contacts to get the latest insights.
• They must also have the ability to work in rough conditions and under pressure.

Mass Communication Courses

The courses in Mass Communication are very diverse, and they contain all of the important components of media. Various levels of Mass Communication courses suit the requirements and interests of candidates who wish to pursue a career in this respective field. Various UG and Diploma courses range from 2 to 3 years, and there are also PG courses that range from 1 to 2 years.

The most popular courses are:

1. BA in Journalism
2. Bachelor of Mass Media (BMM)
3. Diploma in Media Studies
4. B.A. Film Making and Mass Communication
5. M.A in Journalism and Mass Communication
6. Ph.D. in Mass Communication.

Best Colleges for Mass Communication

Many colleges in India offer mass communication as a field of study, so if one wants to pursue this as a career, it's important to have relevant exposure to the field.

Here is the list of a few top mass communication colleges:

1. Symbiosis Institute of Media & Communication in Pune
2. Anwar Jamal Kidwai Mass Communication Research Centre in New Delhi
3. Xavier Institute of Communications in Mumbai
4. Indian Institute of Journalism & New Media in Bangalore
5. School of Communication in Manipal
6. Department of Communication in Hyderabad

The fees of government colleges usually range from INR 11,659 to INR 1.10 Lakh for the entire course. But fees for mass communication courses offered by private universities will cost a bit more as they range from INR 2.5 lakh to 3.5 lakh for the entire course.

Scope of Mass Communication Profile

It is said that within the next five years, there will be 70 new channels to come. If that is the case, then people pursuing mass communication are in for a good time. This is just a small example. Let's take the general trend into account because of the various roles that mass communication offers. The scope of the field is pretty good, especially in India. Due to mass media, news and entertainment jobs are opening up, and the opportunities are aplenty for professionals trained extensively in various roles.