Communication Roles In Politics

Andria Neal | September 28th, 2023 | Political Science & Communication

My relationship with politics and communication 

As a college student who is majoring in political science and minoring in communication. I am finding more creative ways to put my skills to use, such as the ability to write and research. This blog is for students who have an interest in using the media as a way to send a political message. I have done some research to assist others in finding career paths. Part of college is realizing what you don’t want to do with your major/minor. There are a lot of options that coincide with political communication studies, such as jobs in political campaigns and non-profit organizations, that rely on your skills to get their target audience. 

Communication used in politics

Technology has allowed people to communicate and develop skills in all types of fields. Specifically in the field of politics, technology has been often used to spread a message. Social media is a prominent form of communication in politics. There is not one political figure that doesn’t use a social media platform. Sen Ted Cruz was one of the most active users as a U.S. Senator on Twitter shown by Statista. Politicians like Ted Cruz use social media to reach their audience. They aren’t alone in doing this; they rely on people to help manage their social media accounts as well. As a society, we are dependent on it, and the skills to manage social media have become a necessity.

Politics on TV is another specialty. There are entire news channels that cater to the world of politics. For example, MSNBC News is well known for its news and political commentary. There are also tons of talk shows that often address political issues if not specifically cater to politics. If interested in working with news organizations LinkedIn is a great place to look.

Political advertising, on the other hand, has been a main way to spread a message. The amazing thing about advertisements is that you can make your own, you can be your interest group. It doesn’t have to be for a certain candidate or party, any organization that has concerns about a political issue can advertise its message so that citizens can address that issue with their elected officials. If you’re interested in working with advertising being a Campaign Manager might be for you. In doing so your job would be to get your candidate support through their media presence.

The internet is an amazing resource when it comes to research and learning. There are millions of websites dedicated to providing political information, articles, books, journals, and anything you name. One of the best finds on the internet I find to be groundbreaking are podcasts. If you are interested in political communication, a podcast is the best way to use your skills. What is great about podcasts is that you can do them independently and create your series with your own interests. 

A good skill to have is the ability to gather public opinion using the internet, phones, and messages to develop data. This skill is sought after by many organizations. Research organizations rely on data to advance their organization’s mission. They depend on communication skills and various mediums to provide such information through surveys, polls, interviews, etc.

Political figures, interest groups, and organizations rely on all forms of communication to spread their message. Without it, they wouldn’t be able to find the support to be in the positions they are in now. They often hire a specialist to handle that portion of their message. It is important to know such things as current events, proper terminology, and how to aim for the target audience. Public opinion and media are the gateway into that relationship. We often do not realize the amount of influence media has on our ideology. Check out this article on Britannica to learn more about the history of mass media and social media influence. With a good cause, you would be able to help grow any organization’s platforms. With the use of media, you would be surprised how much support you can receive.

List of Political Communication careers

• Political campaign manager
• Spokesperson
• Social media coordinator
• Social media strategist
• Advertising consultant
• Speechwriting
• Survey researcher & data analyst
• Government relations officer
• Advertising consultant
• Lobbyist
• Reporter
• Researcher 
• Data analyst

Of course, there are plenty of more options in careers, you can start by looking at some organization of your interest and see what job offers they have available. Finding a career path at any stage of life is difficult. We all want to have a job that we can be proud of and push us past our limits. Take your time, look at what interests you, and a career you would enjoy.

More information about each career description can be found on the University of Northern Iowa career page.