Careers

Our undergraduate program seeks to prepare students for careers in the broadest sense, by providing the critical tools necessary for confronting a dynamic job market. This approach is based on our deep understanding of the speed at which media technologies change, the volatility of cultural marketplaces, and the complexity of communication and nonprofit sectors. Our majors and minor are not pre-professional or vocational programs. Our objective is bigger and longer term: to support and foster informed and media literate citizens, responsible and imaginative creators, and ethical future leaders in the fields of media, communication, technology, and culture.

Accordingly, students in Communication can expect to graduate with analytical tools and critical skills applicable to a wide variety of careers, not only in the industry sectors traditionally categorized as “communication,” such as social media, journalism, film & TV, advertising, and marketing, but in other fields where communication systems are central, like education, government and public policy, law, business, and non-profit work.

Career Paths

Our alumni work across every industry, from media, healthcare, business, and education to major entertainment, technology, and pharmaceutical companies, as well as startups and their own businesses. They succeed in both traditional careers and emerging roles, even creating innovative career paths that didn't exist just a few years ago.

Recent alumni have careers in these sectors and roles:

Television Director
Chief Marketing Officer
Business Affairs in Entertainment
Trade Publishing
Web Developer
Project Manager
News Writer & Producer
Judge
Graphic Designer
Enterpreneur/ Business Owner
Real Estate
Private Equity Management
Journalist
Producer
Professor
Teacher
Lawyer
General Counsel
Physician
Videographer
Events Manager
Managing Editor
Designer
Content Strategist
Brand Manager
Chief Communications Officer
Risk Analyst
Data Curator
Digital Media Analyst
Social Media Manager
Arena Booker
Marketing Coordinator
Product Developer
Communication Strategist
Program Director
Pharmaceuticals
Finance
Film
Television
Publishing
News
Technology
Business Consulting
Higher Education
Secondary Education
Government
Digital Marketing
Video Games
Advertising
Fashion
Event Management
Business Consulting
Human Resources

Career Center

Whether you're exploring career paths or searching for an internship, the UC San Diego Career Center provides guidance and resources every step of the way.

Their advising support includes:

Career Center Overview: Learn about services, resources, and programs to support your career development journey. This includes Career Launch, a comprehensive career development platform designed to support students in building the skills, confidence, and clarity needed for lifelong career success.
Resume: Get feedback on your resume’s format, content, and tailoring to help you stand out to employers.
Cover Letter: Learn how to structure, personalize, and strengthen your cover letter for specific roles and industries.
Networking: Explore strategies to build professional connections and make the most of career events and conversations, including Tritons Connect, a networking tool for UCSD students and alumni. Use it to leverage Triton connections, including finding mentors.
LinkedIn: Enhance your profile and learn how to use LinkedIn effectively for networking, research, and job searches.
Interview Prep: Practice answering common interview questions and discuss strategies for making a strong impression.
Internship Search Strategies: Get support with finding and applying to internships that align with your career interests.
Job Search Strategies: Learn tools and approaches to identify opportunities, apply effectively, and stay organized in your job search.
Handshake: Discover how to use Handshake to find jobs, internships, career events, and connect with employers. Subscribe to weekly email updates about job fairs, grad school panels, and company/organization outreach events.
Assessments: Find your strengths across key career competencies. Receive immediate, personalized insights to help you identify areas of confidence and opportunities for growth. Being able to articulate your strengths and personality traits will help you in interviews and find jobs that are a strong fit for you.
Graduate School Application Support: Get guidance on researching programs, preparing application materials, and planning a strong application timeline.
PhD Application Support: Receive tailored advice on crafting statements of purpose, connecting with faculty, and navigating the PhD application process.
Pre-Law Advice: Explore pathways to law school, from LSAT prep resources to application strategies.
Pre-Health Advice: Discuss requirements and timelines for health-related professional programs and learn about resources to strengthen your applications.

The Career Center offers drop-in and scheduled advising appointments with Career Center staff.

Previous Employers

Recent alumni have launched careers with employers such as:

County/City of San Diego
ABC Television Network
Jones Day
Los Angeles Dodgers
Live Nation
Eli Lilly & Company
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Warner Television
23 & Me
Rady Children’s Hospital
CBS RAdio San Francisco
Microsoft
Disney
LionsGate Entertainment
Morgan Stanley
Red Bull North America
Apple Inc.
Warner Bros.
Interscope Records
ActiVision
Deloitte
Pfizer
Paramount Pictures
US Department of Labor
Amazon Web Services
Dolby Labratories
7 for All Mankind
Planned Parenthood
City of San Francisco
Google, Inc.
Pan Pacific Film Festival
San Francisco Chronicle
LinedIn
Rotten Tomatoes
Oakland Raiders
Cisco Systems
Kaiser Permanente
Fox Sports
Uber Technologies
Universal Music Group
Dell Technologies
Hugo Boss