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

    • Median MT Salary: $44,000

    • MT Growth Rate: 16%

    • 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

    • Median MT Salary: $46,000

    • MT Growth Rate: 8%

    • 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

    • Median MT Salary: $52,000

    • MT Growth Rate: 9%

    • 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

    • Median MT Salary: $64,000

    • MT Growth Rate: 20%

    • 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.

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