An endless stream of opinion pieces and social media content has given communication degrees and students majoring in communication a bad rap.
Communication often ranks lower on “Return on Investment” charts. The field is also often labeled as a “useless” degree.
But I have a bachelor’s in communication and digital studies from the University of Mary Washington (UMW) and a master’s in communication, culture, and technology from Georgetown University. I now teach in UMW’s Communication and Digital Studies department.
Here’s why I think you shouldn’t freak out if your college student tells you they’re majoring in communication.
I developed ‘soft’ skills that matter in the workplace
Before college, I despised public speaking. I crumbled under the pressure.
Then, in my junior year, I started taking communication courses — small-group communication, public speaking, and rhetoric — that helped me feel comfortable communicating to and standing in front of a room. Those courses also taught different strategies to make communication effective.
Once the foundation was set, I went on to work in small groups to design and host conferences, communicate research on social media, present research at conferences, and lead groups through assignments and tasks.
I also learned that communication is central to how we run a business, work with our coworkers, play sports, play games, talk about our interests, run for office, spread trends, make movies, post on social media, and do things day to day.
With the soft skills I developed in my major, I realized I could succeed in many fields post-graduation.
I’m now teaching my students the importance of media literacy
In the communication program, I teach students how to effectively engage with digital tools and communicate through different mediums and situations. The program changes with the times.
In 2016, I learned how President Donald Trump first communicated through a social media platform to run his campaign. In 2024, I taught how presidential candidates, including Trump, were now using podcasts to run their campaign.
I even teach how media influences the ways we communicate with each other, not only in the workplace but also in how we date, work, shop, watch movies and shows, read books and articles, and spend our leisure time.
People are lecturing on the internet about how literacy is dead. Communication departments are one of the places where students can go to combat this problem.
I think communication is a great choice for incoming college students
The cost of a degree is astronomical. Student loan debt is scary. It has to be worth it.
When approached thoughtfully, a communication program teaches how to facilitate social and professional relationships, influence a nation, and engage critically with the media that runs our society.
It also provides transferable, applicable skills that will allow your incoming freshman to succeed in many fields. I’m just one example.
