Programs: Organizational Communication
Organizational communication involves the study of the ways people interact within organizations, such as business, government, education and non-profit groups. The specific focus of this program of study is internal and external communication of organizations. This program of study prepares students for careers in business and for the study of law. In addition to the 15 hours of required communication studies courses, students studying organizational communication must complete the following 18 hours from among the depth requirements . Additionally, students are strongly encouraged to enroll in an internship during their junior or senior year. Courses SCOM 350. Organizational Communication SCOM 358 Business and Professional Communication SCOM 331 Conflict and Communication SCOM 449. Communication Training SCOM 450. Advanced Organizational Communication Communication research course (depth requirement) |
Organizational Communication Student Advising Fact Sheet
For additional information please
contact
Dr Toni S. Whitfield or Dr Tim C.Ball
Below you will find information regarding
- course suggestions,
- minors/cognates and job descriptions and
- career path information for the Organizational Communication Major.
| Required Courses : SCOM 350 Organizational Communication--Students will learn about types of management styles and the theories that go with those styles. Students will learn to apply theories and concepts to service learning situations in the community. This is a service-learning course. 3 credits. Offered fall and spring SCOM 358 Business and Professional Communication--Students build skills in job interviewing, applying for jobs/graduate school, writing resumes and cover letters; creating a work skills portfolio, business etiquette and professional presentation skills. The focus of this course is "getting the job and keeping the job." Offered Fall, Spring and Summer. SCOM 331 Conflict and Communication --An examination of communication in conflict situations. Emphasis on communication competencies required for successful management and resolution of conflict. Consideration of theories of conflict and application to different conflict levels including interpersonal communication, small group communication and organizational communication. Prerequisite: SCOM 231 recommended. 3 credits. Offered fall and spring. SCOM 450 Advanced Organizational Communication-- Integrated study of organizational communication theory and research. Analysis of communication systems within organizations and at their boundaries. Special attention to field studies. Prerequisite: SCOM 350 or permission of the instructor. 3 credits. Offered spring. SCOM 449 Communication Training--An examination of methods for planning, arranging and conducting communication training. Students become familiar with strategies and activities designed to help others improve their communication skills. Prerequisites: Junior standing and 12 hours in communication studies or permission of the instructor. 3 credits. Offered fall only. 2nd Research course: Course choice here really depends on the path the student intends to take. If the student is interested in consulting and training, SCOM 386 would be an excellent choice because they might be asked to collect data and analyze it in a survey format. All are completely acceptable and helpful to the student. Recommended Courses: SCOM 495 Internship. Students of Organizational Communication are STRONGLY encouraged to participate in an internship either in the Fall, Spring or Summer semesters. Internships can be done in the Harrisonburg area or an area of your choice. Students MUST have completed the core of SCOM courses to be placed in an internship. Please be sure to see Dr. Whitfield for information regarding the internship. (Can take up to 6 credits) (160 hours of work = 3 credits) |
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Possible Careers in
Organizational Communication-
Below are examples of
organizational communication careers and a few job descriptions.
These are just examples and by no means constitute an exhausted
list.
Organizational Communication can be grouped into
internal and external forms of communication.
Events and
Fundraising- interacts with
vendors, partners, company executives and a wide range of
functional activities. Plans, organizes and oversees
all fundraising events and activities; including appeals,
membership campaign, events, grant proposals, donor identification
and solicitation, and donor relations. Assists in the development of
the annual fundraising goals and objectives. Develops and
carries out solicitation plans. Identifies funding trends; develops
and cultivates new funding sources. Ensures that the organization
operates in compliance with all foundation and government and grant
requirements. Recruits and trains volunteers
to participate in the organization's fundraising programs and
activities. Maintains development database and monitors the flow of
income, including membership renewals and the acknowledgment and
receipt of gifts. Monitors and prepares reports of
fundraising progress. Provides financial progress
reports. Writes grant proposals to solicit funding from
private, government, and public foundations. Sales Promotion Writer
--Specifications Writer --Technical Writer --Audiovisual Writer
--Advertising Copywriter -- Reporter --Sports Information Director --
Book Designer
Internal
Communication -- Job Description
Provide consultation, assistance, and guidance to management on
the matters relating to employee communication; coordinates
employee communication programs and activities; Coordinates
publishing of regular employee media. Coordinates and
conducts attitudinal and other polls among employees; provides
editorial and publishing services; produces, edits, and distributes
special publications.
Develops and maintains informational unit to serve the needs of
the senior management and the communication department.
Develops, coordinates, and implements small group, face-to-face
communication programs to facilitate team building, problem
identification, and problem solving.
Job Titles
Director, Manager or Coordinator of:
--Internal Communication --Employee Communication
--Employee Communication and Training --Employee Information
--Upward Communication --Management-Employee Communication
--Communication Services --Marketing
Communication --Labor Relations Specialist
--Communication Analyst --Staff Consultant
External
Communication -- Job Description
Responsible for a full range of external public relations
activities, from corporate advertising through community,
shareholder, financial, and government relations; produces
corporate literature, sales promotions, and special publications.
Directs and coordinates all activity in the development,
implementation, and administration of a corporate identification
system covering all aspects of visual communication, material, and
media. Have administrative responsibilities for public relations
and development departments.
Is responsible for internal communication, communication with
employees' families, and community relations.
Plans and directs public information and community relations
programs.
Assists executive officers in the public aspects of his/her post.
Job Titles
Vice-President, Director, or Manager of:
--External Communications --Information Department
--Public Information --Public
Affairs
--Public Communications --Corporate Relations
--Special Projects
Also:
--Community Relations Officer --Director, Government
Affairs --Government Relations Counselor
--Manager, Press Relations
--Press Relations Consultant --Press Information
Officer --Media Relations Manager
--Public Relations Supervisor
--Public Affairs Representative --Public Information
Director --Public Information Manager
--Public Information Specialist
--Manager, Investor Relations --Field Publicity
Consultant
Other Fields of Organizational Communication
Events Coordinator- internal or
external. Help support strategic planning initiatives for all external
events on the conferences and seminars, client appreciation events
Event budget and event calendar management for assigned projects.
Oversees event production and logistics from development of
content, promotions, presentations, graphics/multimedia and other
event-related marketing materials, to technical projects, such as
audio/video production, lighting, and staging. Analyze programs for
effectiveness; conduct post-event reporting and
analysis.
Publications -- Job Description
Supervises writers responsible for writing and publishing in-house
publications.
Is responsible for acquisition, development, and production of
books in the communication fields; also responsible for presenting
books to sales staff and working with the advertising staff on
promotional materials.
Writes and edits news releases, publications, special projects,
recruiting brochures; maintain archives, mailing lists, and
biographical files.
Prepares brochures for physicians and materials for the Food and
Drug Administration.
Produce monthly employee newsletter gathers news, coordinates news
staff, takes pictures, edits, prepares layout, writes, proofreads.
Job Titles
Manager or Supervisor of Employee Publications; Corporate Information; or
Supervisor, Staff Publications and Services
Specialist, Corporate Information -- Publications Advisor -- General News Manager -- News Manager --
News Supervisor -- Supervisory Editor -- Publications Editor;
--Associate Publisher -- Employee Publications Editor --
Editorial Director -- Editor -- Senior Editor --Associate Editor -- Production Editor --
Assistant Editor -- Copy Editor -- Editorial Assistant
--Medical Editor --Industrial Editor -- Writer-Editor -- Writer --
Product Promotion Writer
Training -- Job Description
Includes programs in training, conference planning, information
services, and associated evaluation activities for research and
training organizations.
Plans, organizes, and coordinates training and development
activities; conducts management development programs; determines
training and developmental needs; consults with management.
Job Titles
--Group Supervisor --Training and Development Leader --Training and Communication
Administrator
--Training and Development Specialist --Training Materials
Media -- Job Description
Responsible for the development for coordinated programs in the
photo-audio-visual arts areas.
Job Titles
Supervisor, Coordinator, Director, or Project Manager:
--Photo-Audio-Visual Services --Graphic and Audiovisual
Also:
--Art Director --Assistant Art Director --Photo Services Manager
--Photographer
--Motion Picture Manager --Film Producer --Coordinator, Corporate
Internal Television
--Television Specialist -- Radio
and Television Publicity -- Director, Cable Television Project
Research -- Job Description
Is responsible for the development of research program to support
policy and programs activities of the branch; organizes
conferences, symposia, and meetings.
Directs research projects.
Assists in the technical administration of the department and
undertakes special assignments in relation to planning and
coordinating education, extension, and research services,
communications, staff development and training.
Job Titles
--Assistant Director of Research --Research Coordinator --Research
Scientist --Research Specialist
--Social Scientist --Research and Editorial Associate --Corporate
Communications Research Analyst
--Senior Scientific Services
Officer


