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How can I make money with a communications degree?
I will start college in January 2025 as a junior because of my college credits (I’m a photography intern now at my community college). I originally applied to an art school to pursue filmmaking editing but was waitlisted so I decidedto pursue communications (media production) at another school was a close second. But I’m worried that I won’t make any money or won’t end up with atleast a job out of college. My dream job/goal is to edit aesthetic videos , I love cinematography but I am struggling to learn premier pro without a in person teacher and junior year is the year for internships. Should I stick with the communications major and see where it leads me, eventually learning how to edit on my own? Or Should I just major in finance for money and minor in photography on the side ?
Any advice would help 🥲
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4 answers
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Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Serena !
In order to obtain work as a cinematographer, editor or in the communications field, you would need to study and do projects in college or film school and be prepared to apply for work when you graduate. The Internship in Photography is great and you will learn a lot and it will be used in media where you can apply your photography skills.
In order to obtain work, you will need full training in what you plan to do, a degree which will open doors plus reflect that you are disciplined in your craft, a portfolio and resume of your accomplishments, and really strong contacts. As the film, television and video industry is greatly moving from only two main traditional hubs, you are fortunate to be in Charlotte because there are places you can apply to right where you are. Do a search for the following companies and go to their websites. Keep them in mind for internships and employment: Charlotte Film, Wheelhouse Media, Wonderworld Film, Caravan, Round 7 Productions, Final Cut Media, Boulevard Films, Applebox Cinema Company, Jordan Entertainment, Backwoods Entertainment, LLC, Clutch Studios, Luke Fletcher Films, Wonderstruck Media Company, 1X Studios CLT, K2 Productions Film and Video, Apex Video Production, Charlotte Star Room, Kim Brattain Media, Round 7 Productions, Final Cut Media, The Littlefield Company, Nowsay, The Production Group, Two Door Productions. There may be more.
So you are in a good location for your future career. It won't happen overnight and there's no need to worry whether or not you will get projects to work on. Focusing on your education and school work, projects and internship is vital for in the moment as you take the journey towards being prepared for your career. So focus on the here and now and let your career unfold naturally. As well, be very open minded to working on any project, not just editing for aesthetic videos. That will greatly limit you, however you will always be able to work with aesthetic videos and you can even do your own aesthetic projects, too, but become versatile and explore all forms of videos and film. The more versatile you are, the more work you will obtain.
Film School would have been great, but you can learn what you want at an academic college, so take the education the way that's best for you. At college or film school, you will meet so many people that you will become friends with as well as acquaintances that you can network with. In this business, networking is crucial, so meet as many people as you can. If you stay at a college a Communications or Media Studies major or Film if they offer it would be good majors. Take advantage of any video editing courses or software that may be available at your college. Do everything on campus. Photography instruction can be done online, but you'll need to be in person, on campus for many reasons.
Do not think about or be worried about the future. No one can say how things will go tomorrow or four or five years from now. Take it from someone who lived it. I obtained my degree in theatre, relocated to begin my career and much to my surprise and happiness, obtained a career job in professional theatre straight out of college. The secret is that I never worried once about what work I would or would not get. I just enjoyed the process and that's where it led. So my advice is to let things happen naturally, always using good judgement, common sense and professional know how. You will be fine.
Best wishes on a wonderful education journey and have fun in all you do !
In order to obtain work as a cinematographer, editor or in the communications field, you would need to study and do projects in college or film school and be prepared to apply for work when you graduate. The Internship in Photography is great and you will learn a lot and it will be used in media where you can apply your photography skills.
In order to obtain work, you will need full training in what you plan to do, a degree which will open doors plus reflect that you are disciplined in your craft, a portfolio and resume of your accomplishments, and really strong contacts. As the film, television and video industry is greatly moving from only two main traditional hubs, you are fortunate to be in Charlotte because there are places you can apply to right where you are. Do a search for the following companies and go to their websites. Keep them in mind for internships and employment: Charlotte Film, Wheelhouse Media, Wonderworld Film, Caravan, Round 7 Productions, Final Cut Media, Boulevard Films, Applebox Cinema Company, Jordan Entertainment, Backwoods Entertainment, LLC, Clutch Studios, Luke Fletcher Films, Wonderstruck Media Company, 1X Studios CLT, K2 Productions Film and Video, Apex Video Production, Charlotte Star Room, Kim Brattain Media, Round 7 Productions, Final Cut Media, The Littlefield Company, Nowsay, The Production Group, Two Door Productions. There may be more.
So you are in a good location for your future career. It won't happen overnight and there's no need to worry whether or not you will get projects to work on. Focusing on your education and school work, projects and internship is vital for in the moment as you take the journey towards being prepared for your career. So focus on the here and now and let your career unfold naturally. As well, be very open minded to working on any project, not just editing for aesthetic videos. That will greatly limit you, however you will always be able to work with aesthetic videos and you can even do your own aesthetic projects, too, but become versatile and explore all forms of videos and film. The more versatile you are, the more work you will obtain.
Film School would have been great, but you can learn what you want at an academic college, so take the education the way that's best for you. At college or film school, you will meet so many people that you will become friends with as well as acquaintances that you can network with. In this business, networking is crucial, so meet as many people as you can. If you stay at a college a Communications or Media Studies major or Film if they offer it would be good majors. Take advantage of any video editing courses or software that may be available at your college. Do everything on campus. Photography instruction can be done online, but you'll need to be in person, on campus for many reasons.
Do not think about or be worried about the future. No one can say how things will go tomorrow or four or five years from now. Take it from someone who lived it. I obtained my degree in theatre, relocated to begin my career and much to my surprise and happiness, obtained a career job in professional theatre straight out of college. The secret is that I never worried once about what work I would or would not get. I just enjoyed the process and that's where it led. So my advice is to let things happen naturally, always using good judgement, common sense and professional know how. You will be fine.
Best wishes on a wonderful education journey and have fun in all you do !
Wow! Thank you so much Michelle. I’m really grateful for all of the Charlotte entertainment companies you listed. I never knew Charlotte had so many opportunity’s . Your advice I will hold close, I will remember to let things happen naturally and not worry. Thank you again!! I wish you the best as well!
Serena
You are very welcome, Serena !
Michelle M.
Updated
Mario D.’s Answer
Your purpose isn't just what you do—it's more than just a mechanical or physical act. It's that warm, fulfilling sensation you experience when you're doing what you love, especially when it also serves humanity. When you reach this point, you've truly hit your peak.
It's evident that you have a deep-rooted love for editing aesthetic videos and cinematography, which is fantastic! Given that your ultimate dream is to break into the film industry, a major in communications, focusing on media production, could be a perfect fit for your career goals. The film industry demands a strong sense of resilience, the ability to accept feedback and rejection, and bounce back stronger.
Studying communications will equip you with a versatile skill set that can be applied across various media-related domains, including film. Self-learning editing might seem daunting, but there's a wealth of online resources, tutorials, and communities ready to help you learn and refine your skills. Udemy is a good platform for this, and just to clarify, I have no association with them.
If finance doesn't ignite your passion, it may not be the wisest choice to pursue it just for the sake of job opportunities. However, you could consider blending Finance and Film. After all, there are film financing departments, so why not learn both? You could even become a production manager or handle film budgets.
While nurturing your love for editing, keep an eye out for internships or freelance gigs in the film industry to build your experience. Stay true to your passion, remain tenacious, and continue to sharpen your skills, and you'll boost your odds of securing a job you adore in the future.
Remember, your purpose is that fulfilling feeling you get from doing what you love.
Udemy courses
Combining Finance and Film
Staying inspired and creative
Learning to be resilient and understanding Rejection there are books on the subject matter
Keep going
It's evident that you have a deep-rooted love for editing aesthetic videos and cinematography, which is fantastic! Given that your ultimate dream is to break into the film industry, a major in communications, focusing on media production, could be a perfect fit for your career goals. The film industry demands a strong sense of resilience, the ability to accept feedback and rejection, and bounce back stronger.
Studying communications will equip you with a versatile skill set that can be applied across various media-related domains, including film. Self-learning editing might seem daunting, but there's a wealth of online resources, tutorials, and communities ready to help you learn and refine your skills. Udemy is a good platform for this, and just to clarify, I have no association with them.
If finance doesn't ignite your passion, it may not be the wisest choice to pursue it just for the sake of job opportunities. However, you could consider blending Finance and Film. After all, there are film financing departments, so why not learn both? You could even become a production manager or handle film budgets.
While nurturing your love for editing, keep an eye out for internships or freelance gigs in the film industry to build your experience. Stay true to your passion, remain tenacious, and continue to sharpen your skills, and you'll boost your odds of securing a job you adore in the future.
Remember, your purpose is that fulfilling feeling you get from doing what you love.
Mario D. recommends the following next steps:
Updated
John’s Answer
Take my answer with a grain of salt.
I think the immediate jobs would be journalism/marketing and most likely internships for entry level jobs (it's insane how much "entry jobs" require 3+ years of experience)
If you decided to take the grad-school route, there could be teaching jobs for school or even less prestigious college (PhDs are where the degrees become competitive, so a Master's is pretty much square one)
Keep in mind that COM has gone a long way since it was considered to be a useless degree. I see it mentioned on job boards a lot (I use Indeed and LinkedIn occasionally.)
I think the immediate jobs would be journalism/marketing and most likely internships for entry level jobs (it's insane how much "entry jobs" require 3+ years of experience)
If you decided to take the grad-school route, there could be teaching jobs for school or even less prestigious college (PhDs are where the degrees become competitive, so a Master's is pretty much square one)
Keep in mind that COM has gone a long way since it was considered to be a useless degree. I see it mentioned on job boards a lot (I use Indeed and LinkedIn occasionally.)
Updated
Aisha’s Answer
Hi Serena,
It sounds like you have a passion for filmmaking and editing, which is fantastic! While pursuing a communications degree with a focus on media production can be a valuable step towards your goal, it's understandable to have concerns about career prospects and income potential. Here are some suggestions to consider:
Stick with Communications: Focus on media production within your communications degree.
Self-Teach Editing: Utilize online resources to improve your editing skills.
Seek Internships: Look for hands-on experience in film production.
Network and Build Portfolio: Connect with industry professionals and showcase your work.
Consider Photography Minor: Complement your filmmaking skills with a minor in photography.
Follow Your Passion: Prioritize fulfillment in your chosen field over potential income.
Remember, it's okay to explore different paths and make adjustments along the way. Trust in your abilities and stay committed to your goals, and you'll find opportunities to turn your passion into a fulfilling career.
Best of Luck.
It sounds like you have a passion for filmmaking and editing, which is fantastic! While pursuing a communications degree with a focus on media production can be a valuable step towards your goal, it's understandable to have concerns about career prospects and income potential. Here are some suggestions to consider:
Stick with Communications: Focus on media production within your communications degree.
Self-Teach Editing: Utilize online resources to improve your editing skills.
Seek Internships: Look for hands-on experience in film production.
Network and Build Portfolio: Connect with industry professionals and showcase your work.
Consider Photography Minor: Complement your filmmaking skills with a minor in photography.
Follow Your Passion: Prioritize fulfillment in your chosen field over potential income.
Remember, it's okay to explore different paths and make adjustments along the way. Trust in your abilities and stay committed to your goals, and you'll find opportunities to turn your passion into a fulfilling career.
Best of Luck.
Thank you, this is amazing advice! That last part about trusting my abilities is something I will learn to work on.
Serena