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[quote=Anonymous]Very few people end up working in the field they major in.  Basically an issue of supply and demand.

Communications tends to be one of those pink collar jobs, and yes, you end up communicating coffee orders and not much else.  They are also in public relations agencies, which due to the compensation structure tend to hire youngish people, underpay them and overwork them.  Great experience for a few years. You will have lots of competition as the other big feeder is journalists, of which that field also keeps contracting.   If you can code and you really want a communications job then take a look at editing some association's online magazine and build a career from there.   Can't code...there are various inexpensive ways to learn and to get some practice you an volunteer at any trade association or industry group.  If nothing else, you can also start with any religious organization or other non profit that appeals to you.  Lots of dated websites out there could use someone with an eye for detail and the drive to make current content happen.

In terms of marketing the field splits pretty quickly into sales/new business development and product management (there are several more subdivisions from there, including database marketing).  If your idea of marketing is sales, then get a sales job.  Just about anywhere could use your interest.

If you are tending more towards product management then I'd also say get a sales job for something you really like.  The best product management jobs are in consumer products and there aren't a lot of consumer product companies in the dc area.   THere are a few that are involved in consumer services and that may be a more viable alternative.  Unless you have a recent top tier Masters in marketing it can be difficult to break into product management (and even then, be prepared to be underpaid and to pay your dues for several years).  If you don't have  a recent top tier masters degree then entree via the sales door is the next best avenue of approach.

Industrial products and services will have the same role but they tend to call the position "marketing manager" and require a high degree of technical education.

Good luck but I think you have to get way more granular and detailed in your approach. What exactly do you want to market?  If you can't get in directly, then I'd sell it for a few years first. That way you will develop an understanding of how the buyer buys, and that is the heart of marketing or positioning any product to maximize sales.

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