Nine Prestigious Careers in Kenyan Media Industry

Choosing your career can be refreshing or daunting. This is what you will do for the rest of your life: it better be good. If you are leaning towards a career in mass communication, this should help you know the career opportunities available.

The misconception that it is an ‘easy’ course cannot be any further from the truth. Just like any other career, you will have to study hard to achieve greatness.

Here are some of the many job titles you can choose from and what they entail:

1. Television News Anchor

Yes, it does look prestigious. That is because they work hard. Before you see the sharply dressed anchor at 9:00 pm, research, editing and practice was done. Information was turned into news.

See Also: Why journalists brains are below average 

2. Film Producer

Taking up this role means handling the production, finances, marketing and distribution of a movie. This is arguably one of the best artistic careers for the creative minds.

3. Film Director

You would be in charge of the film’s look and sound. Ensuring the creative aspects of the production and the technical aspects are in check. Be on the lookout: we shall soon feature a Kenyan Filmmaker who’ll let you in on the secrets of thriving in the film industry.

4. Public Relations Officer/Manager

Ever thought of representing an organization, brand or even a celebrity? Public relations is simply passing information from an individual or organization and the public concerned.

Olivia Pope, from the hit series Scāndal, is an example of this. Model, Kendal Jenner is the brand ambassador of the highly acclaimed make up franchise, Estee Lauder.

NEXT: Journalism among worst jobs in Kenya

5. Editor

The information you get on the newspaper goes through an editor. After it’s written, the editor refines and approves. The magazine you like is edited. That is why you like some more than others.  If you enjoy reading, this is for you. As an editor, you would informatively place articles and pictorials to suit your reader.

6. Own a Production House

Studying mass communication can also mean embarking on a journey to self-employment. Why not own a production house? You can.

Think of 20th Century Fox, Sony Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures, Warner Bros among others. If you watch movies, you’ve come across some of these names. This can be your line of career. What they do is provide a home for productions. From budgeting, physical set-ups, talent & resource supply, production facilities and more.

Mass communication offers you exposure to the different aspects involved in successfully running one.

7. Radio Host

If you enjoy listening to that morning or evening radio host and the thought of doing it intrigues you, go for it. To venture into this career, you will need to be good at communicating. If you are shy, do not worry, part of studying means practicing. Learning how to handle your nerves and becoming better.  Think of the amazing people you could get to interview and the playlist you would hit the airwaves with.

8. Camera Operations

Living behind the camera may be your passion. Working with state of the art equipment to transform scripts into finished products. You can work for a media company, film production house or be a freelancer. Depending on the actual job, you may get to travel a lot.

Picture working for a movie production like ‘The Fast and The Furious’ or going to the wild with National Geographic. Not too shabby for a career. A huge part of the creativity is dependent on phenomenal camera operations.

ALSO READ: SportPesa signs up journalists to its team

9. Content Creator

With the evolution of technology, creating content for digital marketing qualifies to be a career; a good one at that. This is contributing information to any media outlet. It involves creating visual and written material. Bloggers are content creators. There are currently many bloggers in Kenya that are doing well.

Examples include Luke Mulunda of businesstoday.co.ke, Eric Asuma of KenyanWallstreet.com, Martin Gicheru of Techweez.com, KaluhisKitchen.com, Alice Wanjira of PichaJournal.com, Morris Kiruga of Owaahh.com.  Mass communication will nurture that writing talent into a professional career. (africadigitalmedia.org)