The skills you gain as a communications major can translate into a variety of jobs from advertising to journalism to business management. While you don’t have to immediately pick the exact career path you’ll take after graduation, you might find it helpful to look at the classes you’ll take when earning a degree in communications.
Why Major in Communications?
Good communication skills is one of the most sought-after skills for a college graduate to have. Communication majors develop the skills to write and speak effectively in any situation, which is a skill that can be sorely lacking in many industries. Communication leads to success in life especially when you can inform or persuade another. This translates to many fields like business, global relations, advertising and public service.
Variety of Professional Paths for Communication Majors:
- Magazine Journalist
- Talent Agent
- Retail Management
- Social Media Strategist
- Film and Television Production
- Human Resources
Public Speaking
The student who plans on studying communications will have to take a public speaking course. While many degree programs require this class, it’s essential for the communications major. At some point, you’ll likely have to present in front of the class. The teacher, as well as classmates, will critique your style and mannerisms, which will lead to improvement.
Communication Theory
Communications theory is one of the core classes for the communications major. The course compares communication with other social sciences, explains and examines major theories and applies that knowledge to issues from the real world.
Research Methods
Research methods covers research methodologies like interviewing, gathering focus group data, surveys and observation in communications. It’ll go in-depth into study design and data collection as well as analysis of that data and accurate reporting.
Advertising and Marketing
Communications curriculum will touch upon advertising and marketing topics like how these topics impact society and the common communication strategies and psychology used in marketing. It covers advertising as a whole in communication.
Systems, Ethics and the Law
There are a few courses for communication majors that will cover the issues of ethics as well as the law concerning communications, especially as it impacts the public. Systems, ethics and law will examine behavioral and societal issues and the communicator’s role.
Public Relations
A course in public relations might include principles and practices as well as theories and processes. It’ll cover specifics like press releases, press kits, and developing proper campaigns to improve public relations.
Social Media Networking
The rise in social media means that more communications courses are focused on the role of social media in how we communicate with one another. Social media is a vital part of most marketing campaigns and often requires its own course.
The communication curriculum will depend on the school you attend, but these are some of the basic courses that you’ll need to take in order to have a full education upon graduation. A communications major will want to understand the fundamental role of the communicator in the world today.
Related Resource:
Top 10 Best Online Communications Degree Programs