What are the career opportunities for Bachelor of Communication Studies graduates?

AUT’s Bachelor of Communication Studies opens an exciting variety of career opportunities for our students. They can graduate with confidence and real-life industry experience. Our graduates are renowned by employers as having practical and theoretical knowledge, critical thinking skills and creativity which means they are sought after by top media and communications organisations. The profiles listed below highlight the range of accomplishments and opportunities within our Bachelor of Communications Studies graduates’ chosen fields.

Top facts

  • The Bachelor of Communication Studies has a flexible structure where students specialise in one or more communication disciplines, and can include courses from another area of university study (for example sports science or business). This means their study can reflect their personal interests and increase their long-term career options across a range of industries - try our degree builder to see what this could look like
  • Students graduate with specific skills and experience as they have the opportunity to work on projects for real clients, and complete workplace experience or internships for major industry partners.
  • Students have access to AUT’s industry-standard facilities (screen and TV studios, performance studio, sound and edits suites, digital media computer labs).
  • AUT has a journalism training newspaper, radio station and student-run PR agency where students work in real-life scenarios.
  • AUT is ranked in the worlds' top 250 communication and media studies programmes (QS World University Subject Rankings 2023).
  • Watch our video to see what a day can look like for Bachelor of Communication Studies students.

If your child is curious about exploring their study options within the communications sector, take a look at our graduates featured below to get an idea of the future that may lay ahead if they choose to study a Bachelor of Communication Studies at AUT.

Natassja Cox said AUT introduced her to a range of career pathways while equipping her with a solid set of core skill that cut across all fields of the communications industry. Due to the constant updating of course content to reflect the modern world, she feels that graduates are fully prepared when they finish their degree. AUT internships gave Natassja work experience at Colenso BBDO in New Zealand and with Goodworld at Washington DC. After graduating, she joined DDB New Zealand as a junior strategist.

Photo of Natassja

Advertising and brand creativity career opportunities:

  • Account director or planner
  • Art director
  • Copywriter
  • Digital creative or strategist
  • Media buyer or planner
  • Strategic planner
  • Web content creator

John Nottage says he constantly draws on the skills he developed while studying at AUT in his role as a senior communications advisor at Auckland Transport. John heard from friends that the Bachelor of Communication Studies would be a good choice, and after reviewing the degree structure and visiting the campus, he knew they were right. He found being able to work with lecturers and organisations on real-life PR projects as part of his studies meant he graduated with experience and confidence.

Photo of John

Digital communication career opportunities:

  • Digital strategist
  • Digital communication project manager, producer or consultant
  • Digital video specialist
  • Instructional media designer
  • Interactive media producer or consultant
  • Mobile app designer
  • Mobile content developer
  • Motion graphics designer
  • Post-production special effects designer
  • Production assistant
  • Visual designer for print and online media
  • Web administrator/designer

Irra Lee was able to experience life as a journalist as part of her studies at AUT. She was an editor of Te Waha Nui, the newspaper run by AUT journalism students. Each week, the media centre was transformed into a fully functioning newsroom run by journalism students. She has continued this passion for newsrooms by working in Parliament and then with TVNZ as a producer.

Photo of Irra

Briony Sowden is a broadcast journalist for BBC World News in London. Her studies at AUT meant she could incorporate her passion for foreign affairs by including international relations as part of her journalism degree. This knowledge set her on the pathway to delivering current affairs in the second biggest newsroom in the world.

Photo of Briony

Journalism career opportunities:

  • News reporters for newspapers, magazines, television, radio or online media
  • Freelance journalist
  • Specialist writer
  • Production journalist
  • Web editor

Suzanne Suisuiki said her decision to study at AUT was cemented when she realised AUT students get to practice what they've learnt in the classroom. She knew students finished their studies with confidence in their skills and ability and feel prepared to start working life. In her role as marketing and communications manager with the Pacific Cooperation Foundation she could draw on the knowledge she gained from her degree - from PR to journalism and advertising, as well as mentoring marketing and communication students from the French Territories.

Photo of Suz

Public relations career opportunities:

  • Corporate communication executive
  • Public relations consultant
  • Marketing communication executive
  • Government communicator
  • Internal communications advisor
  • Media relations manager
  • Community relations manager
  • Social media manager

Jess Smith knew that studying at AUT meant she'd be able to explore which area of the media industry was the best fit for her. Jess was part of the team running AUT student radio and her studies included an internship as a studio assistant for Paramount Recording Studios in Los Angeles. She then joined Mediaworks Radio where she was responsible for planning and executing client campaigns across all of the company’s radio brands; The Edge, Mai, More FM, George FM, The Rock, Breeze, Sound and Magic.

Photo of Jess

Radio and audio media career opportunities:

  • Announcer/host
  • Copywriter
  • Media sales account executive
  • Media planner
  • Music director
  • Content producer
  • Audio engineer
  • Programme director
  • Promotions or station manager
  • Website content manager

Natsuki Arai is a freelance camera assistant. She enjoyed the 'hands-on' element of her Bachelor of Communication Studies in Screen Production and constantly draws on the skills she developed during her studies. The opportunity to create a short film at AUT inspired her to choose a technical career path in the film industry. She says her role is dynamic, challenging and highly rewarding.

Photo of Natsuki

Screen production career opportunities:

  • Camera operator
  • Director
  • Producer of production manager
  • Promotions manager
  • Reporter
  • Researcher
  • Television presenter or programmer
  • Writer

View the AUT communication studies career sheets for further information on advertising creativity careers, digital media careers, journalism careers, public relation careers, radio careers and TV and screen production careers.

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