Family and friends always pop the question of, "What is your major?" Those who have a definite career path planned after graduation can confidently reveal what they are studying. But lately, I have found myself being slightly hesitant with my response of "communications" because of the negative stigma my major has. Once I give my response, I typically have to explain and defend my choice in study, because many people don't understand what we actually study.
But I will be the one to say it, I absolutely love my major. Typically communications isn't your first choice when claiming a major. Because there are so many options, communications majors are usually defined as those who don't know what they want to do with their lives. It may be accurate to some, but the concept of communication is more than just not knowing what you want to do with the rest of your life, it is in everything we do.
Just because I do not find health, law, or mathematics interesting, that doesn't mean my major isn't important or that I'm less of a student. We are all different; neither I, nor my other communications majors, should be thought any less of as students, nor should anyone challenge my intelligence because of my major choice. I constantly feel undermined because I chose to study communications. One major isn't superior to another, because we are all advancing ourselves during our college careers.
Besides the negative stigma communications majors receive, allow me to clarify what we study and why we are so passionate about it. Every employer is looking for charismatic and passionate individuals to hire. As a communications major, we have a bit of advantage, because we love to communicate. Also, communications students are highly inclined with interpersonal skills and oral communication. We understand how and why we communicate the way we do. For example, through theories and other factual evidence. Additionally, being a communications major is rather interesting, because there are so many sectors of communication one can study. Whether you are inclined towards health, media, or even politics, there are so many options to functionally communicate in any scenario or profession.
With a communications degree, your ability to obtain a job is limitless, because it is so broad. But in the same realm, it is also finely detailed, with your skills as a communicator. I hope the next time someone asks you what your major is, you have a great sense of pride in your academic and college career. Also, please do not judge someone or think less of them because of what their major is. Were all in college working towards a higher education, and therefore, no one deserves to belittle us or talk down to us because of our major of choice.
