Why it’s getting harder to access entry-level communications roles: the good and the bad news.

By Nick Harris, PRLab director of internal affairs and former COM Student Government president

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For many communications majors today, the job search feels increasingly uncertain. After serving as COM Student Body President and pursuing internships and other professional opportunities, I’ve found myself asking the same question as many of my peers: Where are the entry-level opportunities, and how do we position ourselves to get them?

As companies reevaluate their hiring needs and the experience they expect from new graduates, the path into corporate communications is evolving. While the traditional job search may be becoming more challenging, there are still ways for students to build experience and demonstrate value before graduation.

Why entry-level communications hiring feels so competitive

Studies show that the job market is shifting across industries, with a study from the National Association of Colleges and Employees  (NACE) projecting a 1.6% increase in hiring for the Class of 2026 compared to the Class of 2025. This means that the job market today is uncertain, and hiring for new grads has slowed, contributing to an challenging landscape for new graduates. The comforting news? This experience isn’t unique to communications professionals. It’s happening across the board as companies continue to operate with leaner teams and face pressure to manage overhead costs.

According to a survey conducted by Simmplr, internal communications has proven its value but faces limitations in its ability to scale. Of C-suite executives who participated in the survey, 92% reported being satisfied with their communications teams. However, nearly two-thirds of internal communications teams maintained flat head counts over the past year. This suggests that, while companies understand the value of internal communications, that recognition has not translated into expanded teams or hiring opportunities.

Experience doesn't have to come from an internship

The elephant in the room is that AI poses a significant challenge for aspiring communications professionals. Tasks that might have traditionally been delegated to entry-level communicators, such as research, content drafts, and brainstorming campaign ideas, can now be completed more quickly by AI. While this is understandably scary, this means that aspiring communications professionals have an opportunity to leverage their unique exposure to AI and lean into using AI as a tool, instead of something to run away from. According to a study by PRSA, companies are specifically looking for candidates who understand AI and might start directly asking about AI experience in interviews. For aspiring communicators, now is the time to brush up on your AI skills and consider how they can support the strategies and ideas you bring to the table.

Communication skills can take you beyond communications

In the age of student organizations, internships, and countless leadership opportunities, employers are looking for candidates who might not have traditional work experience. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers’ 2026 Update, nearly 70% of surveyed employers use skills-based hiring for entry-level positions, and over 40% of employers seek candidates with on-campus student work experience. This means that aspiring communications professionals can be creative with what they consider experience, and that now is the time to be involved in student organizations on campus and take advantage of the opportunities to build and demonstrate their skills. Whether it’s managing social media for a student organization, working with a student-run PR agency like PRLab, or leading a campus project, these experiences can help students develop skills that employers are looking for, without a traditional internship.

There’s also room to expand our understanding of what communications opportunities actually look like. According to a report by Indeed’s Hiring Lab, business operations skills including communications are mentioned in more than 70% of job postings. For communications students, this highlights the value of developing transferable skills with value across industries. Whether you want to go into human resources, marketing, finance, or healthcare, you may already have skills that are relevant to roles beyond traditional communications positions. The goal is learning how to communicate those skills and connect your experience to what employers are looking for.

What communications students can do now

College gives us a unique opportunity to work, make connections, and pursue pre-professional opportunities that develop skills that will ultimately make us competitive candidates. We have the agency to take advantage of our environments and opportunities, and approach the challenging job market with resilience instead of fear. Rather than focusing solely on traditional internships or positions with communications in the title, students can look for opportunities to build skills, gain experience, and demonstrate value. I hope this has been a helpful and insightful look into the communications job market, and I wish everyone the best as they take the next steps in their careers.