Communication studies attract a range of personalities, from the introspective writer to the outgoing, TV anchorperson. And many students enjoy both facets of the discipline - working with people and language. Overall, students who major in communications learn to sharpen their speaking and writing skills, while sampling coursework in mass media, organizational communications and even a bit of psychosocial theory. Once graduated, students can go on to succeed in areas like public relations, marketing, professional writing, journalism, and more!
If you’re adept at motivating people and promoting ideas, you might enjoy a communications career in public relations. Depending on the size of an organization, public relations work involves everything from internal communications and press releases, to promotional campaigns and corporate damage control. PR specialists help to build positive brand identities and strengthen relationships with target demographics. They write speeches, coordinate print and broadcast briefs, liaise with market research teams, and work in tandem with advertising executives.
For the more analytically-minded, marketing is a viable offshoot of communication studies. Market research professionals review data pertaining to sales, pricing, distribution and business competition. They study and interpret consumer behavior, then develop ways to monetize their findings. In today’s culture, marketing often involves aspects of “new media,” where consumers have become active participants in brand creation and promotion. Marketers need to be facile with statistics and nimble enough to keep pace with emerging trends.
If you’d rather deal with punctuation than percentages, you may be suited to a professional writing role. Besides marketing and PR, communications programs also prepare students to work as proofreaders, copy markers or content writers. Online media has expanded the professional writing terrain, and today’s copy assignments go far beyond billboards. In addition to print materials, catalogues, commercial scripts and direct mailings, copy writers now fill the white space of web pages, online ads, and email campaigns. Your writing could lead to a satisfying role within advertising, journalism, or with a corporate content team.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job prospects for communications majors are expected to grow. The B.L.S. also notes that the best of these jobs are often won by degree holders who’ve studied a combination of related disciplines. In other words, business courses taken in conjunction with a communications program can be a good primer for a marketing position. English and composition courses are smart supplements for those who are interested in copywriting. For those who aren’t sure which direction they’ll take, the communications major is a broad-based platform that can segue into virtually any field. The first step is simply finding the right program.
Elizabeth O’Neill
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