Is a communications degree worth it? Why or why not?
To help students determine if pursuing a communications degree is worth it, we asked communications majors and business professionals this question to find out what they think. From setting intentions to considering specializing in relevant industries, there are several different responses to whether a communications degree is worth it or not.
Here are 12responses to whether a communications degree worth it:
- Power of Communication
- You Can Never Be Overeducated
- It’s Great For Writing-Intensive Careers
- Set Intentions
- It Sets The Foundation
- Compare Schools Based on Degree Quality
- It’s a Crucial Degree, Now More Than Ever
- It’s A Highly Sought After Skill in the Hiring Process
- It Depends Who You Ask
- It Allows You to Venture Around
- Set a Specific Career Goal Prior to Applications
- Consider Specializing in Relevant Industries
Power of Communication
Whether you’re blogging or vlogging, today’s world revolves around effective communication. Blogging requires the ability to compose a thoughtful article that adds value to the worldwide web. Uploading a video to YouTube calls for skills in visual storytelling. Whether you are creating content for the internet, composing an internal email, or authoring books as I have, the power of communication can take you a long way in a professional career.
Gregory Drambour, Sedona Retreats
You Can Never Be Overeducated
If there is one thing I believe wholeheartedly, it is that you can never be overeducated. Communication is a universal degree that can help anyone, regardless of what field they want to work in. There are a lot of smart people that I feel lack social skills, and the most successful people can walk the walk but also talk the talk — so go get that degree!
Vanessa Molica, The Lash Professional
It’s Great For Writing-Intensive Careers
Obtaining a bachelor of arts in communications is a common degree for careers in marketing, journalism, or any profession that involves an extensive amount of writing. When my clients are considering candidates for roles within finance, HR, Nonprofits, or operations, a communications degree isn’t completely necessary. But, if the goal is to pursue a career that contains writing-intensive responsibilities, then a communications degree is well worth the investment.
Jon Schneider, Recruiterie
Set Intentions
There are a variety of communications degrees that universities offer. If you are interested in getting a communications degree, explore your options and choose which degree you’d like to pursue, keeping in mind your intentions for using that degree. In my case, I am a marketing major with a concentration in digital and integrated communications. That is, how do I translate effective communication through the digital realm to both clients and my company? This has especially been valuable this year when having to communicate to my teammates through digital avenues, making my degree naturally valuable to me. Setting intentions to why you are obtaining your degree will help you get the most out of your learning, and naturally will make it “worth it.”
Thylan Le, Markitors
It Sets The Foundation
A communications degree can be the foundation of many career paths. Communications is key for success in areas of life, including business. Plus a 4-year degree will show employers commitment to stick with a goal and success in achieving it. How about using your communication degree for a career in marketing, business leadership, or corporate training?
Sonja Talley, Principal HR Consultant
Compare Schools Based on Degree Quality
Does your dream school offer a quality and accredited communications program? College is less about where you go and more about what you make it. Are you planning to take advantage of clubs, extracurriculars, on-campus jobs, resume/career services, etc.? Why did you pick that degree/field of study? What do you really want to do with it? What are you good at and how does that apply to a communications degree? Think about financial costs. Can you get scholarships or grants? Can you start at a community college and then transfer? Can you work part a job that incorporates communications/related experiences?
Annika Ehrig, Whiteboard Geeks
It’s a Crucial Degree, Now More Than Ever
As someone who obtained a business degree with minors in marketing and communications, I can confidently say it was the best direction for me. Think about it: every company in every country communicates— but they don’t always do it effectively. Those who can master the written word and verbal communication can achieve great things and advance further, especially in our world of social media and online marketing. It is a very diverse degree as it allows for a variety of outlets in which one could pursue a career: writing, editing, publishing, communications, public relations, etc.
Lorraine Bossé-Smith, Leadership Development Coach
It’s A Highly Sought After Skill in the Hiring Process
Yes, communication is super important to any business! So making sure the right message is being sent and correctly interpreted can make a huge difference. And there are several forms of communication needed in the workplace. Hence, communications majors will have knowledge and experience with these. It is also one of the most in-demand skills by employers looking for new hires! So yes, a communications degree is something that provides lots of job opportunities and can lead to a very rewarding career.
Ronald Auerbach, Job Search Expert and Career Coach
It Depends Who You Ask
Many people confuse a degree with an education. Four years of undergrad to obtain a degree in communication taught me about the history of communication including the father of communication, the father of PR, and others in the field whose contributions have shaped the way to reach audiences today. Although understanding the origin of communication and its founding principles is important to me as a passionate communicator, I have worked with many colleagues who have reached great levels of success in their careers and do not hold a degree in communication. These colleagues have mastered their craft through mentorship, field experience, and self-education. In my opinion, a communication degree is worth it depending on who you ask and how having that degree has impacted their experience in the job market and the industry they work in.
Nadya Ramos, Marketing Communication Specialist
It Allows You to Venture Around
In my experience, a Communications degree was entirely worth it. I graduated from the Creative Communications program at Red River College in 2014. When I entered, my goal was to graduate and enter the field of journalism. After sampling what is involved in journalism, media production, advertising, and public relations I ended up going the route of PR. Since then, I\’ve taken on many jobs and freelance gigs where I’ve used the skills learned from each of those different subsections within the programs. Without taking that more well-rounded communications program, I may never have ventured into some of those areas.
Colton De Vos, Resolute TS
Set a Specific Career Goal Prior to Applications
It’s a broad field and an in-demand competency. But before you set out to learn the letters, craft a plan for how you will apply the degree. Becoming a news reporter demands a different skill set than a corporate communication officer or a social media strategist. Research future market opportunities and compensation in the space. Set a specific career goal. And then chase internships and projects that will prepare you for that opportunity.
Tim Toterhi, Plotline Leadership
Consider Specializing in Relevant Industries
If someone is enrolling in college classes currently, I would suggest finding a major that is more applicable to where industries are headed. With everything being online these days, you can’t go wrong with computer-science or systems engineering in which you will learn all about the digital world, namely the backend. Or, if you want to stay in the realm of business planning and development, I would recommend marketing. Communications is a very specific major that, while still useful today, students would be better suited to major in marketing and then leverage their communications skills in the workforce if that is the direction they would like to take. Marketing will give them the bigger picture of why communications is so important.
Karen Gordon, Goodshuffle Pro
