Public Speaking Careers: Definition and Professional Paths

Public speaking careers are occupations that involve using verbal communication to connect with audiences of varying sizes, demographics, and priorities. When pursuing one, your duties will generally involve discussing different subjects, engaging the people who are listening to you, and using different media or locations to communicate. These professions vary based on communication targets. Selling a new product concept to key stakeholders, informing a community of a recent political event by describing its facts, context, and relevance; and motivating a project team with a speech are all examples of public speaking objectives in different careers.

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If public speaking seems to be your forte, consider the following public speaking careers:

Broadcast news analyst

Average base pay: $44,477 per year

A broadcast news analyst communicates to members of the public via radio or television. Typically, these professionals discuss current events that relate to politics, the Earth’s environment, and societies. Successful TV anchors or radio personalities have excellent verbal and nonverbal communication skills that engage their audience. For this job, you need a bachelor’s degree in journalism or a related field. Relevant work experience is also essential.

Purchasing agent

Average base pay: $48,853 per year

A purchasing agent procures goods and services for a firm. This professional interviews vendors, communicates information about their company, negotiates contractual terms such as vendor responsibilities and prices, determines corrective actions via discussions with supervisors and suppliers upon receiving defective items, and resolves conflicts with suppliers. To join this profession, you usually need a bachelor’s degree. Skills in communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution are also necessary.

TV host

Average base pay: $21,582 per year

A TV talk show host provides entertainment or public education through public speaking. Successful TV hosts have natural abilities or soft skills in communication, empathy, and flexibility that suit their chosen occupation. These professionals typically train while working.

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Press secretary

Average base pay: $66,213 per year

A press secretary maintains or improves their employer’s brand image. Job duties include developing media materials, such as press releases, creating programs for advertising, helping an employer communicate efficiently with key stakeholders, and informing other organizational personnel about an employer’s activities and publicity plans. To get this job, you need a bachelor’s degree in communications or a related field as well as relevant work experience.

Curator

Average base pay: $64,804 per year

A curator manages the process of collecting, storing, and showcasing art collections in museums and other institutions. These professionals use public speaking skills to acquire art by negotiating with artists or third-party vendors, promote their organization at media and industry events, conduct tours for members of the public, and direct curatorial staff. For this job, you’re likely to need a master’s degree in art history and several years of job-specific work experience.

Postsecondary teacher

Average base pay: $100,000 per year

A postsecondary teacher, who is also called a professor, works in colleges, universities, or professional schools. This job involves educating students on an academic subject. Professors use public speaking skills to deliver lectures to large groups of students, advise students on which classes to take, collaborate with colleagues to design or change curriculums, and motivate students to achieve their goals. To be hired for this position, you usually need a doctoral degree.

Elementary, middle, or high school teacher

Average base pay: $42,579 per year

A teacher works with children in elementary school, middle school, or high school and specializes in a particular subject. Public speaking skills are used when delivering prepared lessons to students, communicating with students and parents, working with individual students to improve their abilities, and enforcing classroom rules. To become a teacher, you need a state license or certification as well as a bachelor’s degree.

Politician

A politician works in local, state, or federal government. These professionals use their public speaking skills to give speeches to members of the public on their policy positions, inform media representatives of their opinions, dissent from their colleagues’ statements, speak in key government assemblies such as the House of Representatives, and endorse or criticize legislative proposals. To become a politician, you will need a bachelor’s degree in political science or a related field in addition to skills in communication, problem-solving, adaptability, strategy, and leadership.

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Mediator

Average base pay: $50,604 per year

A mediator assists in the process of arbitration, which resolves conflicts outside the court system. These professionals use their public speaking skills to describe the arbitration process to disputants, explain the positions of the relevant parties in the dispute, conduct interviews to obtain information on cases, and negotiate with disputing parties to reach a mutual agreement. To be hired for this occupation, you need a bachelor’s degree and effective communication skills.

Judge

Average base pay: $162,928 per year

A judge supervises the legal process in the court system. These professionals work in local, state, and federal courts. They use public speaking skills when helping disputing parties reach an agreement, instructing juries, awarding relief to people, and communicating legal decisions. Typically, you need a law degree and the experience of working as a lawyer for this job.

Health educator

Average base pay: $45,939 per year

A health educator teaches members of the public about behaviors that improve their well-being. Public speaking activities include informing people how to manage their health conditions, assisting them in finding necessary information or health services, directing staff during the implementation of educational programs about health, and advocating for health boosting policies and more resources. To get this job, you usually need a bachelor’s degree and the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) certification.

Tour guide

Average base pay: $24,343 per year

A tour guide assists travelers and helps them to experience natural locations, urban centers, or cultural landmarks. These workers use public speaking to communicate their knowledge of the terrain and history of a location to visitors. Usually, you need a high school diploma and a professional certification to work in this job. However, certain employers may require additional qualifications, such as an associate’s degree.

Life coach

Average base pay: $40,089 per year

A life coach helps clients to achieve their business and social objectives. Public speaking skills are used by these professionals to help a client identify their goals, communicate a plan for achieving them, and maintain the client’s focus on reaching the targets. While there is no specific educational qualification for this position, getting a professional certification from a reputed organization, such as the International Coach Federation, as well as a bachelor’s degree can improve your job prospects.

Actor

Average base pay: $38,120 per year

An actor portrays different characters, using scripts written for films, television, locational experiences, and commercials. These professionals work in different settings such as theme parks, production studios, or theaters. Public speaking skills are used when auditioning for roles with casting directors and other selectors, rehearsing lines with other actors, discussing their role with acting and directing professionals, performing their role in front of an audience, and talking about their experience to media professionals. On-the-job training is often used for this occupation, and many professionals also receive a formal dramatic education.

Comedian

A comedian uses their skills in verbal communication, nonverbal communication, and humor to provide entertainment to the public. These professionals may work for TV or radio stations, off-line events, or internet platforms. You need natural abilities to work effectively in this position.

Pharmaceutical sales representative

Average base pay: $64,037 per year

A pharmaceutical sales representative is a type of manufacturing sales representative that promotes manufacturers in the pharmaceutical industry. These professionals use public speaking during in-person meetings with primary care providers or specialists. During these events, they educate healthcare workers on various drugs, answer questions on drug efficacy, inspire healthcare providers to purchase these products, and build relationships with providers. For this job, you will need at least a bachelor’s degree, a great understanding of pharmacology, and expertise in business and science.

Litigation attorney

Average base pay: $115,339 per year

A litigation attorney represents people in need of legal assistance in various law courts. They could work for the prosecution or the defense. These professionals use public speaking to advise clients, communicate with coworkers, judges, and jurors, make arguments to defend the interests of their clients, and pursue legal objectives. To work in this occupation, you need to obtain a law degree and pass your state’s bar exam.

Fundraising manager

Average base pay: $50,889 per year

A fundraising manager gathers donations for their employer. They use public speaking to inform stakeholders about the importance of the cause for which funds will be collected, build interest and engagement, and inspire contributions. This job involves both office work and travel. You will need a bachelor’s degree in public relations or a related field and work experience for this job.

As discussed, you have several exciting options among public speaking careers. Ready to take the next step toward choosing the best one?

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