Public relations courses prepare a student for a variety of careers. Many corporate and nonprofit entities enlist the services of a PR person. Communication is an integral component of this field as a PR person has the heavy responsibility of maintaining a company's public image, regardless of how positive or negative the circumstances. Students are taught how to write press releases, mediate conflict, respond to inquiries and deal with deadlines.
Journalism is a broad field with many concentrations, but virtually every aspect hinges on communication. Print media emphasizes a strong ability to clearly and concisely present comprehensive content to the public. Journalism students observe media and analyze past and current trends by way of class assignments, internships and, at times, their own school newspaper work. Ethics and writing styles---such as Associated Press, or AP, style---are taught and must be adhered to. In addition to communicating to the public, students need to be skilled in communicating with their sources to obtain information.
Creative writing spans all types of writing, from short stories to novels and poetry. Over the course of their studies, students learn how to create and develop ideas, provide methods with which to convey messages, understand various narrative strategies and how to revise and re-evaluate.
Careers related to broadcast journalism perhaps involve the most direct form of communication, as you are speaking to the public via television or radio. In many ways, broadcasting combines elements from virtually every other communications course. Just like in print media coursework, professors teach students how to spot current trends and what is newsworthy. Students also learn the behind-the-scenes engineering component of the profession, how to develop an on-air personality, interviewing etiquette and programming.