Whenever I am asked what my major is, I panic momentarily, because I have to decide how to explain it. If I just say I am studying communications, I know there is a horrible stigma associated with it. But describing my Integrated Marketing Communications major is a difficult task.
During the summer before college, I would simply tell people I was going to study communications. I did not know what else to say, because I could not accurately explain my major at the time. But I could still see the look of disdain on people’s faces. Communications students have a stigma of taking the easy way out and having no idea what they want to do with their degree following graduation.
I believe this stigma exists because the field of communications can be very broad, if that is what you choose to major in. Communications can include advertising, public relations, marketing, and more, but its broadness does not mean it is an easy way out.
In my opinion, there is a big difference between a general communications major and my Integrated Marketing Communications major. I am lucky to go to a college where we have an entire school dedicated to communications, so each major is unique and in-depth.
That is not to say that there is anything wrong with studying general communications. Nor is there anything wrong with not knowing which career path you wish to pursue with that major . Communications is a growing field, and a degree in it will give you many opportunities. Few companies could exist and prosper without being branded, advertised, and managed by communication consultants.
Although communications majors are often not taking science or mathematics classes, what we are learning is nevertheless important in today’s society. I did not choose to study communications to take the easy way out, but because it is a subject that I am passionate about.
One aspect of communications that drew me in is the variety of places I could work. Not only are there an array of communications-based agencies, but any company, no matter their expertise or field, also has a department or at least a few employees dedicated to the communications of the company.
No matter what someone's major is, what truly matters is if they are passionate about what they are studying and they plan to have a career in the field. There is no sense in judging other majors and demeaning those who are not in STEM majors. At the end of the day, all careers are necessary to the functioning of our society.
In the wise words of Tina Fey in Bossypants, “Do your thing and don’t care if they like it.” Do not let stigmas and other people’s judgements stop you from pursuing your dreams, and do not feed into judging majors or careers as easy or hard, worthy or unworthy.
