Media Arts & Communications Career Pathways
Table of Contents
Film careers can range from working on a production set as a costume designer, gaffer, cinematographer, production assistant, director, and more.
Work in digital design includes digitally drafting artwork for animation, game design, websites, advertisements, and more.
Media arts career pathways use new media and technology tools to produce art.
Visit our media arts education/training page to see a comprehensive list of Montana media arts training programs.
Film
Education:
Work as a PA is great for those eager to launch a career in film or media production as it provides an inside view of how production runs and doesn’t typically require a bachelor’s degree. However, mid-level and senior-level positions typically require a two-year associate’s or four-year bachelor’s degree in media arts, digital design, or a similar field of study.
High-Growth Jobs:
Emerging high-growth roles in film include audio and video technician and film production assistant (PA). Read on to learn more about these rapidly growing careers.
Suggested Montana Careers
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Median MT Salary: $44,000
MT Growth Rate: 16%
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Median MT Salary: $50,000
National Growth Rate: 8%
Core Skills
Technical Skills
Knowledge of multimedia publishing tools such as Adobe InDesign and Microsoft Publisher
Photo editing tools like Adobe Photoshop and Canva
Video editing software such as Adobe Systems Adobe After Effects or Apple iMovie
Soft Skills
Communication
Creativity
Detail-oriented
Interpersonal Skills
Problem-solving
Teamwork
Time-management
Education:
Graphic designers usually need a bachelor’s degree in graphic design or a related field. Candidates for graphic design positions should have a portfolio that demonstrates their creativity and originality. Courses in writing, marketing, and business, can also be valuable in helping designers work effectively on project teams.
High-Growth Jobs:
Graphic designer and video game designer are emerging high-growth roles in Montana. Read on to learn more about these rapidly growing careers.
Digital Design
Suggested Montana Careers
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Median MT Salary: $46,000
MT Growth Rate: 8%
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Median MT Salary: $54,000
MT Growth Rate: 16%
Core Skills
Technical Skills
Knowledge of multimedia publishing tools such as Adobe InDesign and Microsoft Publisher
Photo editing tools like Adobe Photoshop and Canva
Understanding of graphic design principles such as lines, color, shape, space, texture, typography, scale, dominance and emphasis, and harmony to create eye-catching images.
Web page creation and editing software like Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver
Soft Skills
Communication
Creativity
Detail-oriented
Interpersonal Skills
Problem-solving
Business communication helps a business achieve a fundamental goal, through information sharing between employees as well as people outside the company.
Technical writers draft informational materials such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions, and assist in layout work for technical documents. The goal of a technical writer is to help customers or product users clearly understand how a product works. Content production is a creative job, developing visual or written assets, like videos, podcasts, blog posts, white papers, or infographics.
Communications jobs focus on using any written, visual, or spoken medium to convey information about a company or product.
Visit our communications education/training page to see a comprehensive list of Montana communications training programs.
Business Communications
Education:
Entry-level communications roles typically need a bachelor’s degree in business, communications, English, public relations, or a similar field. Internships at a public relations firm, non-profit, or local organization can help increase employability.
High-Growth Jobs:
Emerging high-growth roles in business communications include communications specialist and public relations manager. Read on to learn more about these rapidly growing careers.
Suggested Montana Careers
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Median MT Salary: $52,000
MT Growth Rate: 9%
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Median MT Salary: $92,000
National Growth Rate: 13%
Core Skills
Technical Skills
Data mining software like Google Analytics
Experience using social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook Meta Suite, YouTube, and Tik Tok
Knowledge of multimedia publishing tools such as Adobe InDesign and Microsoft Publisher
Microsoft Office Suite for preparing reports, speeches, and presentations
Project management software like Microsoft Project
Soft Skills
Analytical
Communication
Creativity
Detail-oriented
Interpersonal skills
Problem-solving
Public speaking
Strong writing skills
Teamwork
In-demand Specialties:
End-user documentation
Medical documentation
Social media marketing/communications
Education:
Entry-level communications positions usually require at least a bachelor’s degree in business, communications, English, journalism, or a similar field. Certifications through associations like the American Medical Writers or Society of Technical Communication, as well as internships, can help increase employability and teach valuable skills. Content production roles typically require a bachelor’s degree in marketing, English, communications, or a similar field.
High-Growth Jobs:
Technical writer and content marketing specialist are emerging high-growth roles in Montana. Read on to learn more about these rapidly growing career.
Technical Writing & Content Production
Suggested Montana Careers
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Median MT Salary: $64,000
MT Growth Rate: 20%
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Median MT Salary: $56,000
National Growth Rate: 36%
Core Skills
Technical Skills
Experience using social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook Meta Suite, YouTube, and Tik Tok
Photo editing tools like Adobe Photoshop and Canva
Project management software like Microsoft Project
Understanding of graphic design principles such as lines, color, shape, space, texture, typography, scale, dominance and emphasis, and harmony to create eye-catching images.
Web page creation and editing software like Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver, Squarespace, and WordPress
Word Processing tools like Microsoft Word or Google Docs
Soft Skills
Communication
Creativity
Critical thinking
Detail-oriented
Interpersonal skills
Organizational skills
Problem-solving
Strong writing skills
Do you have a helpful resource you’d like to suggest we add to this guide? Do you have information you are searching for, or other feedback? The Montana High Tech Business Alliance would love to hear from you. Please reach out to us at communications[at]mthightech.org.