Careers by Major - Professional Writing & Communication

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This program is offered through the Institute of Communication, Culture, Information and Technology

Each Careers by Major page provides lots of ideas on various career areas, as well as how to gain related skills and experience. Useful resources and job samples are also provided.

Table of Contents 

1. Sample Occupations and Jobs
         1a. Sample Occupations
         1b. Sample Job Listings
         1c. Sample Areas of Employment
2. Program-Related Skills
3. Explore Careers & Build Networks
4. Get Experience
         4a. On-Campus
         4b. Off-Campus
5. Useful Resources & Next Steps 

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1. Sample Occupations and Jobs
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Below is a sample of the many types of occupations and jobs pursued by graduates of this program.

1a. Sample Occupations
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Note: This is not an exhaustive list. Detailed career profiles are available in the Career Centre. Some occupations require further education and experience.

  • Communications Specialist*
  • Marketing Specialist*
  • Print Journalist*
  • Editor*
  • Technical Writer*
  • Advertising Copywriter*
  • Public Relations Specialist*
  • Webmaster/Content Developer*
  • Publisher*
  • Researcher*
  • Public Affairs Officer
  • Editorial Assistant
  • Public Opinion Researcher
  • Customer Service Representative*
  • Community Relations Coordinator
  • Fundraiser*
  • Librarian*
  • Copy Editor
  • News Editor
  • Science Writer
  • Internal/External Publications
  • Sports Marketer*
  • Announcer*
  • Mediator*
  • Public Information Officer
  • Sales Representative*
  • Professor*
  • Speech Writer
  • Script Writer
  • Foreign Service Officer*
  • Teacher*
  • Sports Editor
  • Publicity Manager
  • Promotion Specialist
  • Screenwriter
  • Productions Assistant
  • Corporate Trainer
  • Reporter*
  • Program Coordinator
  • Reviewer (e.g., Book Reviewer)
  • Media Relations Officer
  • Student Affairs Professional
  • Freelance Writer
  • Library Technician*
  • Proofreader*
  • Writer*
  • Agent*

View these titles at Career Cruising, available on CLN under the Resources tab.

1b. Sample Job Listings
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Below is a sample of delisted positions that have been posted on UofT's Career Learning Network (CLN). To access current listings, login to CLN and click on Jobs

  • Content Contributor, Peeps Magazine
  • Volunteer Staff Writer, The Medium, UTM
  • Digital Marketing Coordinator, World Vision Canada
  • Communications Internship Program, Ontario Public Service
  • Editorial Intern, Toronto Life
  • Communications Specialist, Manulife Financial
  • Technical/Science Writer, Baylis Medical
  • Social Media Assistant, Athletics & Recreation, UTM
  • Transcriber, Legislative Assembly of Ontario
  • Advertising Assistant, Harbourfront Centre
  • Public Relations & Communication Manager, Textile Museum of Canada
  • Outreach & Program Assistant, Equity and Diversity Office, UTM
  • Magazine/Web Reporter, Media Matters Inc.
  • Instructional Designer, Investment Funds Institute of Canada
  • Grant Writer, Habitat For Humanity

1c. Sample Areas of Employment
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  • Advertising and marketing agencies
  • Newspaper and magazine companies
  • Publishing companies
  • Government
  • Educational institutions
  • Television and radio stations
  • Financial institutions
  • Public relations and communications firms
  • Science related companies
  • Consumer organizations
  • Multimedia firms
  • Not-for-profit organizations
  • Self-employment

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2. Program-Related Skills
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Academic courses in this program provide opportunities to develop the following types of skills. Make a career counselling or an employment strategy appointment to discuss how you can demonstrate these skills to employers.

  • Communication: communicate clearly and effectively for a broad range of purposes and audiences including technical copy, business writing, marketing copy, speeches, proposals and presentations; and present persuasive arguments.
  • Technical: conduct textual analysis and interpretation; and editing.
  • Research: gather and evaluate information, sources, ideas and research; conduct intense primary and secondary research; and conduct and clearly explain research results.
  • Organization and time management: organize ideas, information, materials, and people; and be deadline oriented.

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3. Explore Careers & Build Networks
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Career Exploration 101

Take our 15 minute online module. Gain access to UTM's career exploration programs:

Informational Interviews

Informational interviews are a great way to connect with professionals in a career area of interest and gain valuable insights about a particular career, company, or industry that would otherwise be difficult to find in books or online. Check out our tip sheet to learn more.

Alumni Profiles

Check out our Alumni Profiles page with submissions from UTM grads to find out how their experiences have affected their career direction.

Events

Attending career panels, networking events, employer info sessions, and career fairs is a great way to meet professionals and learn more about careers, companies, and industries. Login to CLN and click on Events & Workshops to see what's coming up.

Talk to Professors

Connecting with your professors can be a great way to explore the different paths a major can lead you to, as well as learn about possible opportunities for research, volunteering or becoming a TA. Drop by during their office hours or request an appointment.

Student Organizations

Join a student club or an academic society at UTM to meet like-minded people, explore your interests, and make valuable connections. To view a list of current clubs and societies, visit the Centre for Student Engagement's website. Some organizations you may consider are:

  • ICCIT Council
  • UTM Scribes
  • The Medium
  • CFRE Radio

LinkedIn

Create a LinkedIn profile to connect with professionals in various fields, explore the career paths of UTM alumni, research employers, apply for specific positions and more. Need help? Come to the Career Centre to book a LinkedIn profile critique.

Professional Associations

There are many benefits of becoming a member of association(s), such as developing a network of contacts, learning about industry trends, accessing industry-related job postings and stating your affiliation on your resume. Some associations related to this major are:

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4. Get Experience
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Get some experience and exposure to the industry while being a student. This will increase your chances of finding a job after graduation, while helping you decide what area might be most suitable for you.

4a. On-Campus
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On-Campus Opportunities Booklet

Check out the On-Campus Opportunities booklet to view a list of some of the ways you can get valuable experience on campus.

Work Study Positions

The work study program provides eligible students with an opportunity to work on campus during the academic year and gain experience. Many departments use this program to hire UTM students during the Fall/Winter and Summer terms.

Part Time and Volunteer Positions

  • Attend the annual Get Experience Fair 
  • Check out our binder with detailed information on volunteer opportunities; available in the Career Centre
  • Learn about the Co-Curricular Record (CCR), which can help you find opportunities beyond the classroom and have your skills and experiences captured on an official document

Student Organizations

Joining any student club or academic society at UTM is a great way to gain valuable skills and expand your resume. To view a list of current clubs and societies, visit the Centre for Student Engagement's website.

4b. Off-Campus
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Internships, Summer, Part-Time and Volunteer Positions 

Full Time Positions

  • Networking is an essential element of job search today, as most jobs are not advertised. While you should still apply for positions you find online, building relationships with professionals is a proven way to access the 'hidden job market' with some of the most desirable opportunities. Attend the "Learn to Network" workshop to discover proven techniques to effectively introduce yourself and make contacts.
  • Login to CLN and click on Jobs to access current postings advertised to graduating students and recent U of T grads. Note: You must attend the "Now That I'm Graduating, What's Next?" workshop to gain access to these postings.
  • Attend the annual Get Hired: Summer and Full-Time Jobs Fair
  • Check out our list of industry-specific job boards

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5. Useful Resources & Next Steps
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Career Resource Library

The Career Resource Library contains information about a wide range of occupations in all industries, resume and cover letter resources, effective work search methods, graduate/professional school preparation guides, and more.

Appointments

Career Planning by Year

Visit our Career Planning by Year page for ideas of important career related activities for each year. You can visit us in the Career Centre to find out more about career areas that interest you.

Additional Web Resources


Updated February 2021