Communication and Media

There are a variety of options in the field of communication and media - both in terms of courses and future career options. When you choose your field of study, it is often not clear where your career path will lead later. Due to mobile and digital technologies, these disciplines are constantly facing new challenges. This explains why many new courses have emerged in this area in recent years.

• Communication science examines the communication process in all its effects, the functioning of mass media and their effect on the public.

• The general term media includes theoretically oriented courses that prepare students for work in journalism and editing as well as in press and public relations. In addition to a creative and confident use of language, the prerequisites are the ability to convey complex facts and connections in a generally understandable way and an interest in a wide range of contacts. On the other hand, production-oriented courses such as media technology or information management provide more practical knowledge of media production and management.

The bachelor's degree programs are offered at universities and technical colleges and, depending on the breadth of the field of study, have the following course names, for example: information management, intercultural communication, journalism or journalism, media studies, communication studies, language and communication, digital media production, public relations or marketing communication.

In the master's program, specialization or broadening of knowledge is possible, e.g. in areas such as literature and media practice.

Depending on the focus and orientation of the chosen course of study, different basics in theory and practice are taught, e.g. B. terminological and methodological knowledge, journalistic writing, production or media technology, design and aesthetics, management or IT knowledge, media or information law, databases and dynamic websites, intercultural communication, communication and media history, psychological-qualitative or quantitative market research, digital media, media practice, media history, print media, broadcasting, content management, media ethics, PR practice, website creation, online documentation, technical English, visual design, descriptions, advertising copy, online media and e-commerce.

At some universities, journalism courses require two to three months of preliminary internship in a publishing house, an editorial office or in the press department of a company.

Media graduates can work in production studios of radio or television stations, in a multimedia agency, at advertising agencies, publishers and other companies in the media industry, in opinion research institutes or in the press and public relations of companies or institutions.

Graduates of a journalism course work - usually after completing a one to three year traineeship after their studies - as editors, correspondents, presenters, specialist editors, reporters, photo journalists and in the press - and media representatives. They find employment in the online and multimedia sector as well as in daily and weekly newspapers, magazines, advertising papers, television and radio, press offices, agencies and press offices; increasingly also in the areas of public relations/public relations and corporate publishing, whereby there are many overlaps with the areas of advertising and marketing.

Technical editors work in technical documentation for industrial companies or for specialist magazine.