I remember there was a time when I seriously considered becoming a pediatrician. However, when circumstances led me to connect hospitals and the medical field with horrific memories, I dropped that aspiration for a new one. I chose to study communication instead. What a downgrade, am I right?

Having made this decision, I have come across a stigma about my major that saddens me. Whenever I'm asked what I am studying, which is quite often, I stand next to my friends while they get to answer with "History" (quite respectable), "Social Work" (incredibly important), "Bio Chem" (wow, so difficult)! Then, I answer "Communication", and I see the excitement drop. One factor is that not everybody actually understands what Communications is, but the other issue is that the major is often seen as useless or easy. I remember when I would shrink back when asked what I was studying and how I would then rush to defend and explain it.

Granted, we Communication majors have embraced this, making jokes about how if we wanted to do math we would have become Math majors. We make a joke of the idea that people think we are less intelligent, that the majority of us simply want to end up in front of a camera--smiling and looking pretty. When I first decided on my major, I even had one of good guy friends, who had often commented on my intelligence, tell me, "So, you want to be a trophy wife?"

We can laugh all we want about how people misunderstand us, but in the end it still hurts to know that no one actually appreciates or tries to understand what it is that we do. I have spent these past few weeks preparing myself to lose the seniors who I have grown to love and appreciate in the Communication department, and I thought it was time for people to get a look into our major. They need to see what kind of people choose this field of study, and what exactly it is that we do.

It is true to say that this major is broad and misunderstood. One key difference that must be made is that Communication, without an "s," is the actual study of how individuals exchange messages- it is about the messages between people, about what we do in our every day lives. Communications with an "s" refers to the systems in which messages are transmitted through, such as phones, the radio or TV. The essence of what we do is that we look at an act so many people take for granted and ignore. Communication is something we take apart and explain, observe, test, and question.

What is most fun about Communication majors is that the majority of everyone is extremely emotionally and socially intelligent. This makes it so that many of us are quick witted, humorous, friendly and open to talk about anything and everything, with whoever, whenever. This makes for a fun classroom setting. We love people, we value relationships and we see communication as the glue that sticks together our society, workplaces, and friends and family.

In our studies, we look at different styles of conflict, and how each one affects the situation and people involved. We get to investigate nonverbals to see what it is people are actually saying when their verbals seem to say something else. Flirting, jealousy, self-disclosure, intimacy, small-group work, leadership- we research all of this and more. Yes, our major dips into other studies, as expected. Communication affects and permeates all areas of life.

What is so incredible about the broadness of our major is the diversity of people it attracts. Though we all tend to be relatively confident, friendly, and free-spirited, we are all different. We are all artists after all. You have to be, if you are going to be skilled at the transmitting of communication through filmmaking, script writing, advertising, or presenting.

In a way, we are the hidden artists of our universities, fascinated by the ways in which people react, accept or ignore the messages given and received in the on goings of life. We are under-appreciated, misunderstood, and never to be seen as we truly are: designers, creators, producers, writers, skilled performers of language, experts in reading and understanding the words you say, and the words you mean.

Sure, some of us may not be the best at math, but this major was not "an easy way out" for us. Communication is something we chose, something we believe is valuable and essential and relevant to absolutely everything. So next time you come across a Communication major, instead of snapping to conclusions and assumptions, ask them more about what they do. I assure you you will never find two Communication majors that are alike; we are unique and diverse, and we like it that way.

And to all my fellow comm majors out there- never be afraid or ashamed of what it is you study. I know I am not. Despite the stigma and misunderstanding I have faced in the past, I am finally ready to say it, and say it loud: I am a Communication major and proud.