The stigma of being a communications major always has its perks. We are constantly getting the same three questions:
1. What will you do with a communications major?
2. You must have so much free time. Is your Netflix library extensive?
3. Communications is just learning how to communicate, right?
Well, a good response to all three of these is simply, all communications majors are indecisive, unintelligent, and lazy because that’s the expectation for us. #amirite
And every time I am asked one of those questions, I cringe a little. Already, the question is phrased well enough with the answer embedded into it, so why ask if you believe you know? The truth is, the stereotype can either be accurate or the complete opposite depending on how the individual manages their time.
College gives all students an equal opportunity to have ample amount of free time. The average full-time college student spends 16 hours in class each week. That leaves 152 hours each week to do whatever the individual wants whether it’s studying or partying Tuesday-Sunday. Whichever it may be, the majority of communications students that I have met choose the first option.
Generally, this species can be found in your local library with a laptop, an updated version of the Associated Press Stylebook, and an endless supply of sticky notes stuck around their desk area.
If you look even closer at the laptop, there is a good chance that there is a series of bookmarked pages that are not just Facebook, Twitter, and Netflix. More so, these tabs include reputable sources such as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Lexis Nexis, the university library database, and maybe even the online version of the AP Stylebook.
Hours of research are being conducted to ensure that the information being conveyed is reliable and resourceful. The people working on these projects are committed to eliminating all errors possible and making sure that every detail is perfect.
These are the people found in companies such as the Washington Post, Edelman PR Firms, Baker & McKenzie LLP, and ESPN. They are the ones that develop a trustworthy reputation not only in the business aspects but also in everyday society.
Without communications majors, we may not be able to find information in the most speedy and trustworthy way. This is the type of person that anyone would want to hire due to the individual’s devotion of finding the truth.
In answer to the three questions listed in the beginning, yes, all three can be true.
We learn how to effectively communicate to an audience in order to elicit specific responses through ethical techniques.
Yes, we always have the opportunity to grow and use the lessons we learned as a communications major in other industries such as law firms and medical practices. Oh! And there’s no shame in having an impressive Netflix library – almost everyone has one.
So today, I am implementing a new stereotype for communications majors. We are the ones that can commit, the vocalizers on current topics, and passionate folk.
