Where Strategic Communication Graduates Work
HPU strategic communication alumni work at:
- Procter & Gamble
- HBO
- NBC News
- Volvo Cars
- GE Healthcare
- Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
- Walt Disney World
- NBCUniversal
- Chanel
- Calvin Klein
- Zimmerman Advertising
- MullenLowe
- Havas Media Group
- GroupM
- RLF Communications
Strategic Communication Salary and Job Outlook
U.S. News & World Report ranks High Point University #1 among Regional Universities in the South for Earnings by Major in Best Colleges 2027, a factor that measures what graduates earn four years after leaving campus.
Across all majors, 99% of High Point University’s Class of 2025 was employed or continuing their education within 180 days of graduation, 13 points above the national average, measured by National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) standards. The Princeton Review ranks HPU #14 for Best Career Services in its 2027 guide.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, public relations specialists earned a median of $74,750 in 2025, with about 23,000 openings projected each year from 2025 to 2035. Advertising, promotions and marketing managers earned a median of $165,780, with 6% projected growth and about 36,300 openings a year.
Job Titles Strategic Communication Graduates Hold
- Public Affairs Specialist (Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum)
- Corporate Communications Manager (Volvo Cars)
- Junior Digital Associate (Procter & Gamble)
- Digital Associate Producer (HBO)
- Commercial Leadership Program (GE Healthcare)
- Account Coordinator (Zimmerman Advertising)
- Assistant Media Planner (MullenLowe Mediahub)
- Social Analyst (Havas Media Group)
- Digital Advertising Operations Associate (GroupM)
- Director of Communications and Community Relations (High Point Chamber of Commerce)
- Social Media Manager (City of Charlotte, Charlotte Water)
Roles Graduates Can Pursue
- Public Relations Specialist
- Account Executive
- Media Buyer or Planner
- Copywriter
- Community Health Educator
- Corporate Communications Manager
- Social Media Strategist
Student Organizations for Strategic Communication Majors
- HYPE, the student-run communication agency
- Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA)
- The Bateman Team
- Lambda Pi Eta, the communication honor society
- National Communication Association
- Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication
Competitions and Real Clients
The Bateman Team competes nationally in PRSSA’s Bateman Case Study Competition, solving a communication problem for a nonprofit. Every major builds a campaign for a real organization in Strategic Communication Campaigns, and every presidential cycle students work the national political conventions with outlets such as CNN and ABC.
Graduate Outcomes
Amy Stamm is a public affairs specialist at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Hannah Brubaker, who added a social media marketing minor, is a corporate communications manager at Volvo Cars. Kristin Summers joined Procter & Gamble as a junior digital associate, and Samantha Garrison is a digital associate producer at HBO. Myles Brown entered GE Healthcare’s Commercial Leadership Program.
Graduate and Law School
Strategic communication graduates have continued to New York Law School, Villanova University, the College of Charleston and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Internships
Strategic communication students have interned with:
- Good Morning America, fashion
- The Dr. Oz Show, publicity
- NBC’s Today show
- Walt Disney World, talent acquisition marketing
- Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, communications
- Red Hat, account-based marketing
- The U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate
- Edelman, MSG and MullenLowe
What Strategic Communication Graduates Say
Strategic Communication graduates share how HPU prepared them for their careers.
Lucy Rimmel
Associate Digital Project Manager, 9Rooftops Marketing and Advertising Agency
“I was able to apply those skills in real-world settings such as HYPE, HPU’s student-run advertising agency.”
Alexis Metro
Marketing Assistant, Landmark Builders Inc.
“HPU provided me with real-world marketing experiences that became my most powerful assets during job interviews.”
Emily Lima
Social Analyst, Havas Media Group
“Assigning real-life projects with local clients helped me get experience in the field before I even graduated.”
Jocelyn Castillo
Advertising Account Coordinator, Inspire Agency
“High Point University provided me with a strong foundation in advertising through hands-on coursework, internships and real-world projects that helped me develop key skills in communication, creativity and project management.”
Strategic Communication in the News
Jack Elliott
HPU Awards Outstanding Alumni During Homecoming Weekend
Elliott’s achievements have earned national attention, from being named a Top Leader Under 30 by the Triad Business Journal to being featured on the cover of Plastics News Magazine for his leadership in one of the nation’s fastest-growing plastics companies.
Lisa Carlson
HPU Students Make Career Connections with Employers at Life Skills Career Summit
“The students are well-prepared, and they’re asking great questions,” said Carlson, who was a dual strategic communication and psychology major at HPU.
Amelia Guerrero
Amelia Guerrero Secures Marketing Career In Charlotte
Amelia is starting her career as a Marketing Specialist in Charlotte, North Carolina for Corning Optical Communications.
HPU Students Make Connections with 100+ Employers at Career Summit
…Olivia Herrin, a senior strategic communication major with a dual minor in graphic design and social media marketing, whose summer internship led to a job that will start after her graduation.
Megan Mitchell
Megan Mitchell Manages as a Clinical Research Coordinator
Megan begins her career as the Clinical Research Coordinator for Massachusetts Eye Research and Surgery Institution in Waltham, Massachusetts.
Start Your Communication Career at High Point University
See the courses behind these careers and how HPU strategic communication ranks.
Accreditation & Awards Curriculum & Research
Questions about the program? Email Professor John Mims, chair of Strategic Communication, at [email protected].