If you are an undergraduate communications student or looking to be one (please see: Top 10 Best Online Communications Degree Programs), you may be wondering what minor would work well with your studies. It’s important to note that while declaring a minor is not usually a requirement for college students, it does look great on a resume and can make a difference when finding a job in a competitive market. For these reasons it is important to choose a minor carefully.
Explore Your Options
The first step in choosing a good minor, is to consider something that complements the field of communications. Most communication majors are aware of the qualities they should have in order to stand out above the rest. Three such qualities include:
- Expertise in various forms of media
- Strong public speaking skills
- Excellent research skills
A minor should then be an area where you might need more training or education. It should also be something that will not only enhance your ability to communicate but will also give you expertise in other areas associated with communications.
Three Good Minors for Communications Majors
There is not one right answer when it comes to choosing a minor. A lot depends upon what you personally plan to do with your degree. In general, some of the most recommended minors for communications majors include:
- Journalism
- Spanish
- Business
Journalism is a great choice because it allows you to gain important writing skills, especially when it comes to writing press releases. Another asset a journalism minor brings to the table is knowing how to write effectively. This can be an advantage when companies are looking for someone who knows how to promote their products. A minor in journalism could also help you to land jobs at advertising agencies, marketing firms, or newspapers offices.
Spoken by 37 million people, Spanish is the second-most spoken language in the United States. Because of this, minoring in Spanish could be a huge advantage when it comes to landing a job. One potential job opportunity with a minor in Spanish might include work as a translator. Spanish would also be a very beneficial minor for those who end up working for a company where employees are required to travel.
It’s not uncommon for communications majors to one day end up owning their own business. If you see this as part of your future, it makes good sense to opt for a minor in business. Or, if you wish to use your communications degree in the world of business, a business minor would be especially beneficial. Either way, having a business minor would help you learn the basics of accounting, statistics, and finance management.
When it comes to finding a good minor for a communications major, there are many suitable options. However, a minor in either Spanish, journalism, or business, could make the difference when it comes to getting or not getting a job upon your college graduation.