Careers for Communication Majors
WHAT IS COMMUNICATION STUDIES?
Communications majors (and minors) study a range of contexts, including communications in families, friendships, schools, workplace groups, cross-cultural performances, nonprofit organizations, social movements, politics and the media.
The major is flexible and allows students to gain a basic comprehension of all communication types and then gain a deeper understanding of the topics that interest them most. Common emphases for communication studies majors include communication and culture, interpersonal and family communication, rhetoric and communication ethics and organizational communication.
Visit DU’s Department of Communication Studies.
COMMON CAREERS FOR COMMUNICATION MAJORS
With their writing, speaking and listening skills, communication studies majors work across a variety of fields and industries, including advertising and PR, education, entertainment, film, government agencies, health care, industry, law, media, politics, publishing, research, retail, social service, and non-profit.
SPECIFIC JOB TITLES HELD BY COMMUNICATION MAJORS INCLUDE:
- admission counselor
- attorney
- business executive
- campaign director
- college admissions
- community organizer
- consultant
- corporate communications
- corporate trainer
- counselor or therapist
- fundraiser
- health communications manager
- human resources manager
- law enforcement professional
- legislative liaison
- lobbyist
- market research analyst
- mediator/negotiator
- nonprofit administrator
- promotions manager
- public relations manager
- retail manager
- risk and crisis communications manager
- sales and service representative
- special events coordinator
- speech writer
- social worker
- teacher
- training and development specialist
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS OF COMMUNICATION STUDIES MAJORS
In addition to the careers listed above, communication studies majors are well-suited to fields that require the following skills:
- public speaking
- presentation design
- conflict resolution
- research
- attention to detail
- critical thinking
- listening skills
- oral and written communication skills
IS A COMMUNICATION STUDIES MAJOR RIGHT FOR YOU?
Still unsure if you should major in communications? Schedule a session with a career counselor, attend our “Choosing a Major” workshop, and attend career events where you can network with employers that hire communications majors and alumni who majored in communications. Also, schedule a session with the department chair, where you can explore other possible career paths.
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS FOR COMMUNICATION MAJORS
