As many of us know, communications is often considered the "easy major" at most colleges. I beg to differ. Just because com majors don't have to take a ton of math and science courses doesn't mean we can't secure a job at graduation or that we aren't learning any useful skills. Being a communications major has been the best choice I have made so far during my time at college and here is why.
1. Communications is a lot broader than it sounds
When people think “communications," they usually equate it with journalism. While journalism is an important part of communications, there are a ton of fields that make up the major. Film, television, screenwriting, public relations, advertising and communication research are just a few of the many departments that fall under the category of communications. A major in com gives you the option to explore many different areas of work and a greater chance that you will find a department that you love.
2. The demand for communications professionals is growing
Most major corporations deal with communications in some form every day. If they don’t have their own in-house communications team, they’re outsourcing work to agencies or dealing with journalists to let the public know about their company’s new developments. The job opportunities in communications are endless.
3. Communications teaches valuable skills for every job
Knowing how to write and articulate yourself well are skills that every company values. Being a com major requires you to work on those skills in most of the classes you take. By graduation, you will know exactly how to sound professional in a job interview and have a strong, well-written resume which employers will appreciate.
4. It's not a dying field
Contrary to popular belief, communications and journalism are not dying fields; they are evolving. Paper journalism has turned into broadcast and online journalism and communications has gone from writing press releases to handling social media, crisis management and more. As long as people continue to interact, com majors will continue to find jobs.
5. Communications is involved in most aspects of your everyday life
Remember that “Scandal” episode you watched last night, or the article you read about the upcoming election on Facebook? Both were brought to you by communications professionals. I’m not joking when I say that we are literally everywhere. Without com majors, most of the sources of daily entertainment for society would be gone. Communications is not the “easy route” in college; it is fast-paced, constantly changing and always exciting. A major in communications can be unpredictable, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
