Potential Career Fields
- Behavioral Health
- Business, Communication, & Marketing
- Education
- Health & Medicine
- Social & Public Service
- Therapy & Rehabilitation
- Career Information
HDS Careers: Business, Communications, and Marketing
Jobs in this area, rather than directly delivering a service like patient care, support those services through business management and distribution of services. They can also provide education and information to target demographics within these fields through various mediums: television, film, advertising, art, literature, publishing, internet, news, and other forms of mass media. A broad interdisciplinary understanding of psychology, sociology, and demographics, plus some practical experience, is appropriate for most entry-level positions in these fields.
Career Descriptions
Medical & Health Services Manager
Medical and health services managers, also called healthcare executives or healthcare administrators, plan, direct, and coordinate medical and health services. They might manage an entire facility, specialize in managing a specific clinical area or department, or manage a medical practice for a group of physicians. Most medical and health services managers have at least a bachelor’s degree before entering the field; however, master’s degrees also are common. Requirements vary by facility.
| Median Salary | Minimum Education Level | Job Growth outlook |
|---|---|---|
| $104,830 per year | Bachelor’s degree | Faster than average |
For More Information
US Dept of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook: Medical and health services managersTrade Organizations:
For information about medical and healthcare office managers, visit:
Professional Association of Health Care Office Management
American Health Information Management Association
American College of Health Care Administrators
Social and Community Service Managers
Social and community service managers coordinate and supervise social service programs and community organizations. They direct and lead staff who provide social services to the public. Social and community service managers work for nonprofit organizations, private for-profit social service companies, and government agencies. Most work full time.Social and community service managers need at least a bachelor’s degree and some work experience. However, many employers prefer candidates who have a master’s degree.
| Median Salary | Minimum Education Level | Job Growth outlook |
|---|---|---|
| $74,240/year | Bachelor's degree | faster than average |
For More Information
US Dept of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook: Social and community service managers
Trade Organizations:
Network for Social Work Management
Council on Social Work Education
National Association of Social Workers
Human Resources Managers
Human resources managers plan, coordinate, and direct the administrative functions of an organization. They oversee the recruiting, interviewing, and hiring of new staff; consult with top executives on strategic planning; and serve as a link between an organization’s management and its employees.
Some human resources managers oversee all aspects of an organization’s human resources department, including the compensation and benefits program and the training and development program. In many larger organizations, these programs are directed by specialized managers, such as compensation and benefits managers and training and development managers.
| Median Salary | Minimum Education Level | Job Growth outlook |
|---|---|---|
| $130,000 per year | Bachelor's degree | Faster than average |
For More Information
US Dept of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook: Human Resource Managers
Trade Organizations:
For more information about HR managers, including professional certification, visit:
Society for Human Resource Management
HR Certification Institute
International Public Management Association for Human Resources
For information about careers and certification in employee compensation and benefits, visit
International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans
WorldatWork
For information about careers in employee training and development and certification, visit
Association for Talent Development
International Society for Performance Improvement
Public Relations and Fundraising Managers
Public relations managers plan and direct the creation of material that will maintain or enhance the public image of their employer or client. Fundraising managers coordinate campaigns that bring in donations for their organization. Public relations and fundraising managers generally work in offices during regular business hours. However, many must travel to give speeches and meet with individuals who are important to their organization. Many work more than 40 hours per week. Public relations and fundraising managers need at least a bachelor’s degree and some positions may require a master’s degree. Many years of related work experience is also necessary.
| Median Salary | Minimum Education Level | Job Growth outlook |
|---|---|---|
| $125,620 per year | Bachelor's degree | as fast as average |
For More Information
US Dept of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook: Public Relations Managers
Trade Organizations:
For more information about public relations and fundraising managers, including professional certification in public relations, visit:
CFRE International
Public Relations Society of America
International Association of Business Communicators
Public Relations Specialists
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 usually work in offices. Some attend community activities. Long workdays are common, as is overtime. Public relations specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree in public relations, journalism, communications, English, or business.
| Median Salary | Minimum Education Level | Job Growth outlook |
|---|---|---|
| $67,440 per year | Bachelor's degree | as fast as average |
For More Information
US Dept of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook: Public Relations Specialist
Trade Organizations:
For more information about public relations managers, including professional certification in public relations, visit
Public Relations Society of America
Public Relations Student Society of America
International Association of Business Communicators
Writers & Authors
Writers and authors develop written content for advertisements, books, magazines, movie and television scripts, songs, and online publications. Writers and authors work in an office, at home, or wherever else they have access to a computer. Most work full time. However, self-employed and freelance writers usually work part time or have variable schedules. About two-thirds were self-employed in 2012. A college degree is generally required for a full-time position as a writer or author. Proficiency with computers is necessary for staying in touch with sources, editors, and other writers while working on assignments. Excellent writing skills are essential.
| Median Salary | Minimum Education Level | Job Growth outlook |
|---|---|---|
| $73,150 per year | Bachelor's degree | Slower than average |
For more information:
US Dept of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook: Writers & Authors
Trade Organizations:
For more information about writers and authors, visit:
American Grant Writers’ Association
American Society of Journalists and Authors
Association of Writers & Writing Programs
National Association of Science Writers
Society of Professional Journalists
Writers Guild of America, East
O*NET
Writers and Authors
Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers
Editors
Editors plan, review, and revise content for publication. Although most editors work in offices, a growing number work remotely from home. The work can be stressful because editors often have tight deadlines. More than half worked in the publishing industry in 2012. Proficiency with computers and a bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, or English is typically required to be an editor.
| Median Salary | Minimum Education Level | Job Growth outlook |
|---|---|---|
| $73,080 per year | Bachelor's degree | Little or no change |
For More Information
US Dept of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook: Editors
Trade Organizations:
For more information about editors, visit:
American Copy Editors Society
News Media Alliance
Association of Alternative Newsmedia
Radio and Television Digital News Association
O*NET
Editors
Librarians
Librarians help people find information and conduct research for personal and professional use. Their job duties may change based on the type of library they work in, such as public, school, and medical libraries. Librarians work for local government, colleges and universities, companies and elementary and secondary schools. Most work full time, but opportunities for part-time work exist. Most librarians need a master’s degree in library science. Some positions have additional requirements, such as a teaching certificate or a degree in another field.
| Median Salary | Minimum Education Level | Job Growth outlook |
|---|---|---|
| $61,660 per year | Master's degree | Slower than average |
For More Information
US Dept of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook: Librarians
Trade Organizations:
For more information about librarians, including accredited library education programs, visit:
American Library Association
For information about medical librarians, visit:
Medical Library Association
For information about law librarians, visit:
American Association of Law Libraries
For information about many different types of special librarians, visit:
Special Libraries Association
For more information about school librarians, visit:
ABC-CLIO
O*NET
Librarians
Archivists, Curators, and Museum Technicians
Archivists appraise, edit, and maintain permanent records and historically valuable documents. Curators oversee collections of artwork and historic items, and may conduct public service activities for an institution. Museum technicians and conservators prepare and restore objects and documents in museum collections and exhibits. Archivists work in archives and libraries. Most curators work at museums, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, and historical sites. Museum technicians work in museums, while conservators mostly work in laboratories. Most archivist, curator, and conservator positions require a master’s degree related to the field in which they work. People often gain experience by working or volunteering in archives and museums. Museum technicians must have a bachelor’s degree.
| Median Salary | Minimum Education Level | Job Growth outlook |
|---|---|---|
| $53,420 per year | Masters's degree | as fast as average |
For More Information
US Dept of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook: Archivists, Curators, Museum Technicians
Trade Organizations:
For information on archivists and on schools offering courses in archival studies, visit
Society of American Archivists
For information about archivists and archivist certification, visit:
Academy of Certified Archivists
For information about government archivists, visit:
Council of State Archivists
For more information about museum careers, including schools offering courses in museum studies for curators and museum technicians, visit:
American Alliance of Museums
For more information about careers and education programs in conservation and preservation for conservators, visit:
American Institute for Conservation
For information on job openings as curators, museum technicians, and conservators with the federal government, visit:
USAJobs
Graphic Media & Design
Graphic designers create visual concepts, by hand or using computer software, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, or captivate consumers. They develop the overall layout and production design for advertisements, brochures, magazines, and corporate reports. Many of these workers are employed in specialized design services, publishing, or advertising, public relations, and related services industries. In 2012, about 24 percent of graphic designers were self-employed. Graphic designers usually need a bachelor’s degree in graphic design or a related field. Candidates for graphic design positions should demonstrate their creativity and originality through a professional portfolio that features their best designs.
| Median Salary | Minimum Education Level | Job Growth outlook |
|---|---|---|
| $57,990 per year | Bachelor's degree | Slower than average |
For More Information
US Dept of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook: Graphic Designers
Trade Organizations:
For more information about graphic design, visit
AIGA
Graphic Artists Guild
For more information about art and design and a list of accredited college-level programs, visit:
National Association of Schools of Art and Design
O*NET
Graphic Designers
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. Reporters and correspondents spend a lot of time in the field, conducting interviews and investigating stories. The work is often fast paced, with constant demands to meet deadlines and to be the first reporter to publish a news story on a subject. Employers generally prefer workers who have a bachelor’s degree in journalism or communications along with an internship or work experience from a college radio or television station or a newspaper.
| Median Salary | Minimum Education Level | Job Growth outlook |
|---|---|---|
| $55,960 per year | Bachelor's degree | -13% (Decline) |
For More Information
Trade Organizations:
For more information about broadcast news analysts, visit
National Association of Broadcasters
Radio Television Digital News Association
For more information about careers in journalism and about internships, visit:
Dow Jones News Fund
Society of Professional Journalists
Training and Credentialing
Job prospects for managers are likely to be favorable. In addition to rising employment demand, the need to replace managers who retire over the next decade will result in more openings. Candidates with a master’s degree in administration or a related field, as well as knowledge of various IT systems, will likely have the best prospects.
In art, communications, and marketing, careers in this field are some of the most competitive and qualified applicants generally outnumber job openings. A wide range of educational backgrounds is suitable for many of these positions. The ability to communicate well is essential. For entry into advertising, marketing, promotions, and public relations, many employers prefer those with experience in related occupations plus a broad liberal arts background. A bachelor’s degree in sociology, psychology, literature, journalism, or philosophy, among other subjects, is acceptable. A college degree generally is required for a position as a writer or editor. Although some employers look for a broad liberal arts background, most prefer to hire people with degrees in communications, journalism, or English. For those who specialize in a particular area of literature or technical writing, additional background or a degree in a specialized field (such as health, law, medicine, child development, children’s literature, etc.) is expected. Postsecondary training is recommended for all artist specialties. Although formal training is not strictly required, it is very difficult to become skilled enough to make a living without some formal training in fine or graphic arts. Employment as an archivist, conservator, or museum curator usually requires graduate education and related work experience. For librarians, a master’s degree in library science (MLS) is necessary for positions in most public, academic, and special libraries and in some school libraries.