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Career Paths in Communications

Academic Exchange, International Journalism, Intercultural Public Relations, Corporate Communications, Cultural Diplomacy, Interpretating, Correspondence

One thing is clear: the field of communications is THE domain for graduates of any program that has “language” in the title. Graduates of Foreign Language Philology programs will probably have a decisive advantage wherever the task involves “inter-something.” Thinking about, designing, testing, and practicing communication is something you are trained to do at the highest level in any philology degree program. In fact, graduates of philology already enter the job market as communications specialists, even with just a bachelor’s degree. Nevertheless, it is common practice in Germany to complete a “Volontariat” (a type of internship) after graduating in the respective field. In this guided, structured, and paid internship, you learn the “tools of the trade” of the “writers guild” and, at the end, receive a “license to practice” and are allowed to call yourself a “journalist,” “editor,” “PR specialist,” or similar. While communications in these fields is classically oriented toward “speaker -> listener,” candidates in fields that include more diverse types of exchange are expected to be significantly more versatile. This competence is best demonstrated through solid experience abroad and a higher educational degree.

• Inhalt ausklappen Inhalt einklappen Possible Tasks

  - You gather information, evaluate it, and use it to create written or spoken contributions for radio, TV, print, and online media.
  - You research information from news agency reports, press conferences, databases, or archives.
  - You work in a specific department, e.g. domestic and foreign policy, business, local news, sports, arts and culture, or science.
  - As a foreign correspondent, you report from abroad on behalf of your employers in your home country.
  - You research on-site (abroad) to create reports and short articles.
  - You conduct interviews, edit reports and news pieces, host programs, or report live on radio and TV.
  - You evaluate foreign-language texts and sources of information.
  - You translate all kinds of technical documents, such as operating instructions, medical reports, certificates, court rulings, and contracts. You may also translate literary works.
  - You research specialist areas and terminology in both the source and target languages.
  - You interpret simultaneously, e.g. at international conferences, negotiations between business partners, police interrogations, and in court.
  - In the IT sector, you adapt menus and user interfaces of computer programs, online help systems, and manuals to the language and cultural norms of the target market.
  - You develop appropriate concepts and strategies to shape the public image of a company, organization, institution, etc.
  - You inform the public about company events, products, and events, e.g. by means of product photos, event calendars, brochures, etc.
  - You issue press releases, hold press conferences, and compile press reviews.
  - You maintain your employer’s website, oversee blogs and forums, and create content for social media.
  - You perform lobby work: you contact people from e.g. politics, trade unions and other associations, non-governmental organizations, or religious organizations, and try to get them on board with the goals or concerns of your employer.
  - You advise senior staff and managers on how to deal with the media.

• Inhalt ausklappen Inhalt einklappen Industries and Occupations

  - Correspondence and news agencies
  - Newspaper and magazine publishers
  - TV and radio stations
  - Software and database companies
  - Public sector administration
  - Translation agencies
  - Interpreting services
  - Federal or state authorities, EU institutions
  - Large commercial enterprises
  - Foreign language publishing houses
  - Business and professional associations, trade unions
  - Political parties, associations, organizations, foundations
  - Public relations agencies
  - Religious communities
  - Higher education

• Inhalt ausklappen Inhalt einklappen Job Boards and Professional Associations 

  - Stellenangebote WiLa-Arbeitmarkt
  - Jobbörse der Agentur für Arbeit
  - Deutscher Fachjournalisten Verband
  - Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels Jobbörse
  - Freischreiber
  - Bundesverband der Dolmetscher und Übersetzer e.V.
  - Europäische Kommission – Arbeiten für die EU
  - Der Dolmetschdienst des Europäischen Parlaments
  - Gesellschaft Public Relations Agenturen
  - Horizont Jobs
  - Kress der Mediendienst
  - Newsroom
  - PR Journal
  - W&V - Werbe- und Kommunikationsbranche
  - KULTweet
  - Forum Deutsch als Fremdsprache