Media Studies
When exploring possible academic majors, begin by investigating the specific programs at Purchase College. Discover more about the BA in media studies, and find out about program requirements, courses, and the program faculty.
Want to find out more about a major? Talk to the chair of the school and the program faculty members to have your questions answered and to get the inside track on being a media studies major at Purchase College.
Career Possibilities
The following is a list of some career possibilities that students in this major might find rewarding. Remember that your major does not necessarily determine your career. Graduates use their academic majors in a variety of professional fields. The options below can be used as a starting point to explore potential career paths; however, you may also want to investigate more using recommended resources to gain a more comprehensive list of careers. Keep in mind that additional education, training, and experiential education beyond your major may be needed to pursue these possibilities.
Acquired Skills
- Ability to analyze, interpret, and appropriately convey physical and social events and behaviors to others
- Strong reading skills
- Writes/speaks clearly
- Gather/evaluates information and data
- Ability to create entertaining and persuasive messages
- Ability to relate to people of diverse backgrounds
- Strong decision-making skills
- Create powerful images with sight, sound, motion, and words
- Attention to detail
- Understand institutional and cultural values
Career Titles
- A&R Rep
- Actor
- Advertising Worker
- Art Director
- Assistant Director
- Broadcast Technician
- Community Relations
- Guest Coordinator
- Critic
- Disk Jockey
- Editorial Assistant
- Editorial Writer
- Educator
- Event Planner
- Filmmaker
- Fine Arts Manager
- Journalist
- Key Grip
- Lawyer
- Marketing Director
- Media Buyer
- Media Specialist
- Multimedia Creator
- Multimedia Technician
- Music Director
- Photographer
- Photojournalist
- Producer
- Production Assistant
- Public Relations
- Publicist
- Publisher
- Radio/TV Announcer
- Researcher
- Stage Technician
- Screenwriter
- Technical Writer
- TV/Film Production
- Unit Production Manager
- Writer
Types of Organizations that Hire
- Advertising Agencies
- Public Relations Firms
- TV, Radio & Cable Broadcast Companies
- News Agencies
- Magazines/Newspapers
- Publishing Houses
- Government Agencies
- Film Studios
- Museums
- Music Companies
- Production Co’s
- Education
- Not-for Profit
Career Information and Professional Association Links
Buzzfile - Employers of Communications & Media Studies majors
The Alliance for Media Arts & Culture
Center for Communications
American Anthropological Association (AAA)
American Ethnological Society
Ethnography Matters
NY Women in Communications
Occupational Outlook Handbook Online - Job type descriptions, job growth forecasts, and salary information
Job Search Links
Career Development Center - Log into Purchase JobScore to access jobs posted for Purchase students and alumni
MediaBistro - Job & industry information
Communication Arts - Creative marketplace
The Alliance for Media Arts and Culture (formally NAMAC)
Idealist - Nonprofit site, internships and jobs
The Chronicle of Higher Education - Information and jobs
Book Jobs - Jobs/internships in publishing
AdWeek - Advertising and marketing jobs
Media Match - Media industry job list
Additional Resources Available at the CDC