Lack of jobs for communication graduates

by Harriet Thomlinson, Intern

Since the recession, we’re constantly hearing how internal communication is becoming an increasingly recognized function – with practitioners being called upon for everything from layoffs, pay freezes to restructures. Strange then, that for such a valued profession, 14 percent of last year’s communication graduates are still unemployed.

The research, carried out by the Higher Education Statistics Agency, revealed that the chances of students finding work post-graduation depend on their choice of subject, with zero unemployment rate for medicine and education (5%) to be the lowest, while communication has the second highest unemployment level, trailing not far behind computer science (17%).

There clearly aren’t enough comms jobs out there, but perhaps if businesses took the profession more seriously, communication students wouldn’t be in such a predicament and the future of communications would seem a little more optimistic.

Not only is this research particularly negative for the communication industry, but as a prospective university student it makes one wonder, “If highly skilled communication graduates can only manage to find jobs in places that don’t require their trained skills, eg. bartending, waitressing, working in a factory, then what’s the point of studying communications at university?”

So, what’s the cause for such statistics? Is it a case of supply over demand? Is it due to a decrease in the number of communication teams, or the scrapping of them all together as a result of the recession?

And if communication is a temporary casualty of the credit crunch, will these statistics potentially dissuade students choosing communication as a vocation, resulting in a lack of future communicators?

After all, let’s not forget that even the fields with the lowest unemployment figures require the help of both internal and external communications for many different aspects of their function. Take a look at how the World Café concept helped employees re-engage during the recession.

If you’re struggling to find a job in communications, check out Melcrum’s jobsite.

Do you think there aren't enough communication roles out there? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Comments

[Adriana]

I live in New York City and I've obtained a MA in Corporate Communications. The closest I got to a full-time offer ended up being rescinded because the corporation would not approve a "non revenue-generating" position.

Why bother interviewing, right?

Now I've settled for two part-time jobs. One as a receptionist and another as the communications specialist for a small (microscopic, really) start up.

There is definitely slim pickings for full-time employment for a somewhat experienced yet still entry-level job seeker in communications.

[Ambuj]

I think communications as an industry is more experience led. In the situation today where we companies have started realising the need for an effective communications team and especially internal communications, I think companies want some experienced people to hit the ground running instead of waiting for some time to see results. Unfortunately, the urge to see quick results is also a factor...

[Avi H]

This is a timely blog post esp as I am considering leaving a FT job to go do my Masters. There are still a school of thought that believes that anyone can work in PR - that it is a soft skill that does not generate sales, or require greater attention. It is only when there is a crisis and companies look to react, rather than being proactive from the beginning, that comms teams are valued - or at least recognised as having a purpose. Hopefully in light of recent events such as with Toyota and BP, more companies would recognise that qualified and experienced comms professionals are invaluable.