Emerson’s Political Communication MA program offers more than the chance to learn invaluable skills from expert faculty. Through immersive courses and hands-on experience working on both local and global campaigns, each graduating student leaves with a successful career ahead of them.
But what are some of these impressive career opportunities? According to the Emerson College website, political communication is one of the fastest-growing industries in the country, with a 7% job growth projected over the next 10 years. Notable alumni from the Political Communication MA program include Jeff Kimball, President, United Way; Susan DelPercio, Political Correspondent, MSNBC, New York; and Jeff Bellows, Vice President of Corporate Citizenship and Public Affairs, Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Read on to find out what political communication jobs may be in your future!
Communications Director
Have you always had strong communication skills and a gift for controlling the narrative? Look no further than the role of a communications director. In this position, individuals develop nearly all messaging shared by an organization or campaign. This means managing media relations, issuing press releases, and thinking quickly on your feet for implementing crisis communication plans. Basically anything that may shape public perception!
Several of Emerson’s recent Poli Comm MA graduates have landed positions as communications directors or managers. They work at organizations like Mass Politics, the Massachusetts Democratic Party, and for the Massachusetts Senate President. In a more advanced role, communications directors can also supervise their own team, including press secretaries, social media managers, and more. They also work closely with the chief of staff and other key personnel.
If you like multifaceted work that involves constant strategizing, this could be the position for you. And with the average annual salary for a communications director coming in at $102,000 a year, this role is coveted by many!
Campaign Manager
Where a communications director is responsible for an organization’s internal and external messaging, a campaign manager oversees the execution of a specific campaign, with more focus on performance tracking and overall strategy. In addition to the political sphere, a campaign manager can also find opportunities at organizations like non-profits. Regardless of the organization, a campaign manager’s ultimate goal is to enhance brand visibility, consumer engagement, and revenue generation. For those with a strong interest in the marketing side of political communication, campaign management may be the job for you.
Necessary qualifications include expertise in consumer insights and data analysis, which are crucial to optimizing campaigns. Because campaign managers are extremely results-driven, employers often look for individuals who have both creative and analytical problem-solving skills. And luckily for all Political Communication MA students, most organizations prefer to hire campaign managers with a master’s degree in a related field.
While the salary varies based on location, experience, and type of campaign, early career campaign managers make an average of over $65,000. And luckily, with Boston being an extremely politically active city, campaign managers here make an average of $84,000. Don’t underestimate the power of Emerson’s campus being so close to the Massachusetts State House!
Chief of Staff
Love being the right-hand man (or woman)? Welcome to the chief of staff position. Unlike a campaign manager who focuses on tactical aspects of a campaign, a chief of staff directly supports the highest-level executive, often the president of an organization or the political candidate. It is also a more long-term role, whereas a campaign manager’s position can end once the campaign is over.
As the chief of staff, they become the liaison between the high-level executive and other departments, helping streamline information flow. They can also perform administrative tasks, like managing the high-level executive’s calendar, coordinating meetings, and preparing materials for their presentations and speeches. A chief of staff also falls into a more advisory role for the politician or president, helping them make informed decisions.
Since this is a senior-level position rather than an entry-level one, the salary reflects the level of experience required to succeed in the role. The average national salary for a chief of staff ranges between $197,262 to a whopping $259,560 a year!
Non-governmental Organization Advocate
A non-governmental organization advocate, or NGO advocate, is all about raising awareness for a specific issue or cause, working to influence public opinion or legislation. These roles can include a multitude of titles, such as policy analysts, community outreach liaisons, lobbyists, and more. By using various channels like social media, public speaking, and community events, NGO advocates encourage citizens to take action, sharing ways they can contact their representatives or participate in protests.
The most important skills an NGO advocate must have are strong analytical expertise, excellent public speaking and communication skills, and a firm understanding of the policy-making process. However, the most essential strength that an NGO advocate can have is a passion for the issue they’re fighting for! Advocacy can be a tireless job, which is why it’s crucial to believe in the cause you’re representing. If you are interested in community engagement and grassroots efforts, this position may be a great fit for you.
Many NGO advocacy jobs require a relevant degree, such as Emerson’s Political Communication MA or a Master of Public Policy (MPP). Because there is such a large range of positions one can hold as an NGO advocate, there is not a specific average salary, although entry-level jobs typically start at $65,000.
Speechwriter
Always had a flare for writing compelling essays? You may be needed as a speechwriter! We’ve all heard inspiring speeches by prized politicians, but people are shocked to find that in many cases, those speeches are not written by the speaker at all! And, contrary to the position’s title, speechwriters also write public addresses, presentations, formal statements, and talking points for their speaker.
To succeed in this role, a speechwriter works closely with the communications director to understand the message the team wants to convey to the public. They are then tasked with writing a compelling speech for the high-level executive, often a politician, that reflects both the speaker’s style and their objectives. This role requires careful research and fact-checking abilities, as well as excellent writing and revising skills. In Boston, a speechwriter’s annual salary is a generous $152,227, which is higher than the national average.
The positions listed above are just five of the hundreds of important roles you can hold as a Political Communications MA student. To learn more, reach out to Grad Admissions or Mary Anne Taylor, an associate professor and the Political Communications graduate program director.
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