Being a communications major is both amazing and stressful. We’re our own niche of people at college who usually can get along with everyone, but especially get along with each other. If you’re a comm major, you probably can relate to most of these things.
1. At least one of your friends does photography as a hobby/side business
There’s likely one member of your group who you can count on to take the most like-worthy Instagram photos. They tote their DSLR with them any opportunity they get and list it as a skill on their resume. If it’s not any of your friends, it’s probably you.
2. You take social media way too seriously
Your social media feed is a part of your personal “brand,” and you can’t jeopardize your brand by posting a photo that doesn’t look right with your feed. You strategize the best times to post, and always have the best tips to look professional online.
3. Your online portfolio or website is your best friend
Because again — how can you work in media if you don’t have a cohesive online presence? I probably update it more than I call my mom.
4. We don’t take tests
A lot of my big assignments are projects instead of tests — which is great for those of us that don’t test well, but also means I need to have optimal time management skills. My finals week usually consists of at least four different projects and papers, and at least one of them will involve working with a team.
5. We have the best-looking resumes
Because we know what looks good on paper and what doesn’t. I’ve also probably spent more time editing my resume than I would ever care to admit — but it’s what’s going to help me get a job one day.
6. Our major is not as easy as you think it is
There’s a lot more to the communications field than you think there is. There’s social media, photography, videography, writing skills, advertisement, and so much more. So, when I say that I’m a communications major, know that I’m learning all of those skills simultaneously so I can be the best in my field.
7. Life after graduation is super competitive
Not saying that it’s less competitive than other fields, but a lot of our appeal to employers after graduation is how diverse we are. Careers in communications are hard to come by, so if you’re going to be hired, you either need to be extremely specialized in one area (and hope a job in that field opens up) or you need to have every skill an employer could possibly want.
8. You never look at media the same way
Once you learn the ins-and-outs of what goes on behind the scene of every media outlet, you’ll never look at a print magazine or television show again.
9. No matter how crazy our major is, we wouldn’t trade it for anything
At the end of the day — no matter how difficult the workload or bleak the post-grad outlook — I love being a communications major. I didn’t decide to major in communications for the money, I did it because I love it. So go ahead, tell me again how easy it will be to get a job in your healthcare/business/finance field. I know that when I get a job after I graduate, it’ll all have been worth it.
