According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the advertising industry is expected to grow by 12 percent through 2018, especially for companies that specialize in digital media. In New York City, media-related fields grew by 10,500 jobs last year, a 6.6 percent boost and studies predict growth will remain strong for the next 20 years.

You can prepare for this competitive field through the Bachelor of Science degree in Advertising Communications. Offered by the College of Professional Studies, this 126-credit program prepares students for career opportunities as advertising account executives, art directors, copywriters, media buyers and planners.

Students majoring in Advertising Communication may take concentrations in the following tracks:

Advertising Account Executive Track

An account executive is the liaison between an advertising agency and its clients. To prepare for this challenging position, students learn to analyze competitive activities and consumer trends, report client billing, forecast agency income, develop advertising strategies and coordinate activities among the creative, media and research departments.

Media Planning/Buying Track

Advertisements are effective only if placed in the right medium at the right time. Ensuring this is the job of media planners. Students learn to evaluate newspapers, radio broadcasts and other media for optimum advertising efficiency. Students also learn to serve as media buyers, who negotiate with media representatives to put the approved plan into effect.

Creative Track

Copywriters create the copy that will reach their audience in print, through radio or on television. Art directors develop the visual concepts that convey the copywriter’s words. Together, they are the creative team that actually produces trillions of dollars in sales of advertisers’ products and services.