Raise your hand if you have been personally victimized by someone who does not understand your communications degree. *Cue hands raising* If you raised your hand or at least thought about it, you will relate to this piece. Here are 10 things communications majors and minors are tired of hearing, or at least I am.
1. “I used Photoshop once, so basically I'm a graphic designer.”
Graphic design is about more than just being able to use Photoshop. It’s about creating a product for clients to use everyday, whether it be digital or print production. It’s knowing what a client wants, their budget, their time constraints, their purpose, innovating something new for the client, working with a team of designers, printers and executives, creating high quality work and so much more.
2. “When are you going to declare an actual major?
This is my actual major/minor. No, I am not doing it because it is “easy.” If my major was “easy” you wouldn't see these bags under my eyes and extra large coffee in hand as I walk to the computer lab.
3. “Social media is so easy, why do you need a class on that?”
You are not an expert in social media just because you have followers or you get a lot of likes on your posts.
4. “Your homework looks so easy.”
Yes, it looks easy, until you actually begin to complete it. If you're a perfectionist like myself, it is even more difficult.
5. “So what do you actually want to do after graduation?”
I have a wide range of possibilities with my communications degree. It all depends on what each individual wants to be involved in. Google “communications careers” and you'll find hundreds of different paths a communications student could take.
6. “It’s just talking, right?”
*shakes head*
Again, Google “communications careers” and I dare you to ask me that question.
7. “If I was a comm major, life would be so much easier.”
You chose your major and so did I. I spend just as much time working on projects, assignments and my portfolio as you do.
8. “Why would you waste $54,000 a year on this?”
I go to a small, private, liberal arts school for the whole experience. Why I chose my college is another story, but I am able to make personal connections with my professors and alumni. Who knows, they could write me amazing recommendations or hire me someday.
9. “You just took photos all day, how are you exhausted?”
Oh I forgot you were an expert because you can take photos on your iPhone. Using the equipment, finding the right lighting and getting that perfect shot is more difficult than you think. Plus hours spent staring at a computer, editing small but important details afterwards, is just what I want to do all night.
10. “What major did you drop out of first?”
I’ll admit, I started as a psychology major, changed to biology pre-medicine and now I’m back to psychology with a communications minor. I am forever grateful for the opportunities I have been given within psychology, but as I wrote in my junior year advising essay, I’ll be taking a different route and using mainly my communications degree. Communications was where I belonged all along, it just took me longer to figure that out.
