If you are interested in a job where you get the chance to think creatively, and influence how other people think or act, then working in the communications and media industry is the place to be.
We all watch TV, including the adverts, and are targeted by marketing campaigns. We read books and newspapers. We very often take on board the attitudes promoted by people who work in this industry. We want to have the products they advertise
There are many different types of careers to choose from in this sector, including: advertising, marketing and public relations (PR); journalism; media and broadcasting; and publishing and writing.
To see the routes to getting into each of these sectors, take a look at our Career Pathway.
For some careers such as TV or journalism, you would work for a specific type of company, but in areas such as PR and marketing you could be working for a company in any type of industry.
If you want to enter work in any of these sectors, entry is very competitive so you will need determination and persistence to get into many careers. With the exception of marketing and printing, short term contracts and freelance work are common.
There were estimated to be approximately 203,700 marketing associate professionals working in the UK as of the fourth quarter of 2023, compared with 203,400 in the previous quarter. 1 The figure for Scotland for as at the end of 2023 was 15,500, a significant increase from the 2022 figure of 10,200. 2
The UK’s publishing industry has an annual turnover of £6 billion, with income from exports accounting for 60% of revenue. It directly employs 29,000 people and supports more than 70,000 jobs. 3
Publishing Scotland reports there are 116 publishing companies in Scotland, mostly based in the central belt, that publish over 2,000 books a year. 4 Some are large firms, and part of global corporations, such as Harper Collins, while many others are very small - yet successful - prize winning firms.
The world of journalism encompasses both print and online media content. According to NOMIS, as of March 2024 there were 5,400 people working as newspaper and periodical journalists and reporters in Scotland, a decrease of 100 in first quarter of 2024 2. New industry data shows 4.4 million Scots over the age of 15 engage with a local news brand at least one a month, either on digital platforms or in print, showing that the media industry in Scotland is popular. 5
In 2023, the UK spent £4.23 billion on film and high-end television production. The British Government is helping the industry with the launch of a new tax credit system for film, TV and video game production companies. 6
The Scottish screen sector has been resilient, with film and high-end TV production inward investment increasing by 110% from 2019 to 2021. In terms of employment, full time equivalent jobs in Scotland’s screen production sub sector grew from 5.120 in 2019 to 7,150 in 2021. 7
ScreenSkills is the industry-led skills charity for the screen industries. Find out more about various careers by visiting their website www.screenskills.com.
The BBC have a great careers section with information about getting into the industry via work experience, trainee schemes and apprenticeships. Check out the site at www.bbc.co.uk/careers.
MeCCSA UK
