Occupations in

Multimedia
Communications
By: Kylie Cordell

Photographer
Photographers use their technical expertise, creativity, and
composition skills to produce and preserve images that tell a
story or record an event. Although postsecondary education is
not required for portrait photographers, many take classes
because employers usually seek applicants with a good eye
and creativity, as well as a good technical understanding of
photography. Photojournalists and industrial and scientific
photographers often need a bachelors degree. The median
hourly wage for photographers was $14.66 in May 2014. The
lowest 10 percent earned less than $8.71, and the highest 10
percent earned more than $33.14.

Writers and Authors

Writers and authors develop written content for advertisements,
books, magazines, movie and television scripts, songs, blogs, or
other types of media. A bachelors degree is typically needed for
a full-time job as a writer. Because writing skills are essential in
this occupation, many employers prefer candidates with a degree
in English, journalism, or communications. The median annual
wage for writers and authors was $58,850 in May 2014. The
lowest 10 percent earned less than $28,640, and the highest 10
percent earned more than $114,820.

Announcer
Announcers present music, news, and sports and may provide
commentary or interview guests about these other important
topics. Some act as masters of ceremonies (emcees) or disc
jockeys (DJs) at weddings, parties, or clubs. Although public
address announcers do not need any formal education beyond a
high school diploma, radio and television announcers should
have a bachelors degree to be competitive for entry-level
positions. The median annual wage for radio and television
announcers was $29,790 in May 2014. The lowest 10 percent
earned less than $17,610, and the highest 10 percent earned
more than $80,000. The median annual wage for public address
system and other announcers was $25,730 in May 2014.

Public Relations Specialist

Public relations specialists create and maintain a favorable public
image for the organization they represent. They design media
releases to shape public perception of their organization and to
increase awareness of its work and goals. Public relations
specialists typically need a bachelors degree. Employers prefer
candidates who have studied public relations, journalism,
communications, English, or business. The median annual wage
for public relations specialists was $55,680 in May 2014. The
lowest 10 percent earned less than $31,190, and the highest 10
percent earned more than $105,720.

Interpreters and Translators

Interpreters and translators convert information from one
language into another language. Interpreters work in spoken or
sign language; translators work in written language. The
educational backgrounds of interpreters and translators vary
widely, but it is essential that they be fluent in English and at
least one other language. The median annual wage for
interpreters and translators was $43,590 in May 2014. The
lowest 10 percent earned less than $22,240, and the highest 10
percent earned more than $80,650.

Broadcast and Sound

Engineering Technicians
Broadcast and sound engineering technicians set up, operate,
and maintain the electrical equipment for radio programs,
television broadcasts, concerts, sound recordings, and movies.
Broadcast and sound engineering technicians typically need
postsecondary education. Depending on the work they do, it
could either be a postsecondary nondegree award or an
associates degree. The median annual wage for broadcast and
sound engineering technicians was $41,350 in May 2014. The
lowest 10 percent earned less than $20,610, and the highest 10
percent earned more than $78,510.

Film and Video Editors and

Camera Operators
Film and video editors and camera operators manipulate images
that entertain or inform an audience. Camera operators capture a
wide range of material for TV shows, motion pictures, music videos,
documentaries, or news and sporting events. Editors take footage
shot by camera operators and organize it into a final product. Film
and video editors and camera operators typically need a bachelors
degree in a field related to film or broadcasting. The median annual
wage for camera operators, television, video, and motion picture
was $48,080 in May 2014. The lowest 10 percent earned less than
$23,620, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $95,160.

Reporters, Correspondents,
and Broadcast News Analysts
Reporters, correspondents, and broadcast news analysts inform
the public about news and events happening internationally,
nationally, and locally. They report the news for newspapers,
magazines, websites, television, and radio. Employers generally
prefer to hire reporters and correspondents who have a bachelors
degree in journalism or communications along with an internship
or work experience from a college radio or television station or a
newspaper. The median annual wage for broadcast news analysts
was $61,450 in May 2014. The lowest 10 percent earned less than
$28,210, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $182,470.

Technical Writers
Technical writers, also called technical communicators, prepare
instruction manuals, how-to guides, journal articles, and other
supporting documents to communicate complex and technical
information more easily. A college degree is usually required for
a position as a technical writer. In addition, experience with a
technical subject, such as computer science, Web design, or
engineering, is important. The median annual wage for technical
writers was $69,030 in May 2014. The lowest 10 percent earned
less than $41,450, and the highest 10 percent earned more than
$108,460.

Producers and Directors

Producers and directors create motion pictures, television shows,
live theater, commercials, and other performing arts productions.
They interpret a writers script to entertain or inform an
audience. Most producers and directors have a bachelors degree
and several years of work experience in an occupation related to
motion picture, TV, or theater production, such as an actor, film
and video editor, or cinematographer. The median annual wage
for producers and directors was $69,100 in May 2014. The lowest
10 percent earned less than $31,380, and the highest 10 percent
earned more than $187,200.