Communications is one of the most common majors you’ll find at any university. Being a part of this vast group of students is extremely rewarding for any one studying it, but too often the statements you hear about it are totally false and completely annoying to hear your whole life. Here are just some of the most obnoxious things people continue to say to Communications Majors; and heads up people, we’re really tired of hearing them.
1. "What Even IS Communications?"
It's not that we don't like talking about our major, because we do. It's just that when you're constantly asked over and over again what it is you're doing with your life, it gets tiring. We want to talk about market trends and successful advertising campaigns, not what our major is. But just to clarify, Communications is the study of how humans communicate with one another, in every way possible. Most of us are media nerds, so if you ask us to go into detail, get ready for some serious media jargon.
2. "Who do You Communicate With?"
Literally. Everyone. You, your parents, siblings, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and so on. Everyone is a potential target market...Also what kind of question is that?
3. "So Journalism."
If you think Communications is solely journalism, you should do more research because you're so far off. Communications encompasses so much more than just journalism. Studying Communications can also mean the study of advertising, public relations, media production, and so much more. Just like a Biology Major can send you off in multiple directions, so can a Communications Major.
4. "Oh, So You're Not Sure What You Want to do Yet."
Um, no, actually most of us do, or at least have some idea. We picked this major for a reason. It's actually really rude to assume we picked this major because we don't know what we're doing. Please stop saying this to us ASAP, thanks.
5. "Don't You Want to be in a REAL Major?"
HA...Ha ha. You're hilarious, because you must be joking, telling us our Major isn't real right? What exactly makes a major REAL in your opinion? Because rest assured my friend, a Communications Major is not a walk in the park. Sure, we don't have labs or the work load of a science major, but we are writing hundreds of papers, conducting countless surveys and studies to gather consumer data, and honing our craft to impact the consumer to the best of our abilities after graduation...oh and if you were wondering, that's you, you are the consumer. We're learning to impact your life, you're welcome.
6. "You must be Pretty Good at Social Media."
Yes, I am. It's a key component of my major. No, I will not help you spruce up your social media. Goodbye.
7. "Why Are You Always on Your Phone?"
Because my future depends on it. While you're off doing whatever you're doing, I'm fine-tuning my LinkedIn, crafting tweets about market trends, and searching newly posted positions. Communications job listings literally go like hot cakes. If you don't have your name on the desk of that hiring manager within a few days of that posting, you could be overlooked.
8. "What School Are You Going to After This?"
...the University of Adulthood? Communications is a primarily hands-on field. You get better jobs by having real experience under your belt. Going on to Grad School isn't typically the path we take, because we need real experience to succeed.
9. "Isn't That Super Competitive? How Are You Going to Make Money?"
By working my butt off and showing my potential off right from the get-go, that's how. I knew it was competitive going in, but so is the medical field, and nobody tries to stop people from going into that. So let me and my media be; I'll do just fine, thank you.
10. "So You're Going to Move to New York Right?"
Since it's already crowded and overpriced there, probably not. Communications can be used all over the world. There are broadcast studios, advertising agencies, and PR firms in most major cities and even in lesser-known locations. Most of us don't end up moving to New York.
