Is Communication a bad major?

Question

Let's start this off: I'm just looking for input, not a finalized decision. There's a department at my college where I'll meet with an adviser to discuss this too, but that meeting's not until December.

So here we go--
I entered college intending to go PreMed. Over the course of this year I've realized that's not for me. I think. I am absolutely in love with the humanities; Communication Studies is my favorite so far. I'm also interested in Journalism, but all I hear about is that both are "BS" degrees.

Every one bashes the humanity degrees and tells me that science is the way to go. Obviously that can't be the case because there are TONS of non-science jobs. I'm interested more in people than scientific ideas. Besides, not everyone can be doctors and lawyers! Plus I know that I MUST be happy in a career. Some people have jobs they hate just to pay for fun times, but I don't work that way.

A few other potential majors/minors: Culture Studies, Medical Physics, Strategic Communication, and Marketing.

Some jobs/fields which appeal to me:
Journalism (Photo if possible!)
Event Photography (weddings, etc.)
Public Relations
Secondary Education
Hospital Administration

...basically anything that involves people. I'm a huge people-person, which is probably why I love Communications. Fortunately my University allows me to double major and minor, or major and have a few minors, so I'm not limited here! I'm thinking diversity is key.

Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Is Communications A Bad Major

Answer 2

I basically had the same issue. I was enrolled in psychology, but it wasn't for me. I ended up switching to French lit and I'm really happy about that choice (i'm even finishing my master's in that field and i'm going for a PhD). So, maybe I'm biased in saying that no, humanity degrees are not BS. However, I do find that a communication degree is BS. You won't be specialized in anything and won't be able to get a really great job out of it. That's my opinion. However, journalism, fine arts, public relations, education and admin ARE degrees you can get, so why go for communication? Unless you have an amazing portfolio, fine arts might be hard to get in though... I've also heard of medical admin classes, if that interests you.

The best advice I could give you is follow your passion. In the end, that's what's going to make you happy and you might even contribute to make this world a better place! Best of luck!

Answer 3

I highly suggest doing what you like, not just because it's the best possibility. If we all followed that rule, we wouldn't have art, journalism, writers, etc.



Just make sure the total amount you have to pay back from college is equal or less than the total you'll make during your first year on the job (so a journalist usually starts around 30,000 so try not to take more than that in debt.)



As for double majoring, it can help as a back up or for certain specific careers, but what employers look for is experience. You could possibly have a degree in communications or strictly journalism, but if you have enough experience working with marketing in your resume, they might take you over someone who has a marketing degree but no real world experience.



So in conclusion, these are the key points:



Back up plans

Internship

Double majors are good, but not always needed

Total debt = or < first year salary



and also, if you become a journalist, try to have your hand in many different mediums. You might be the best writer available, but it's easier (for mainly smaller papers) to have more "backpack oriented" journalists; someone who can take good photos and write good text. So if you know how to do different things, you might be picked over someone who is exclusive to writing.

Answer 4

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RE:

Is Communication a bad major?

Let's start this off: I'm just looking for input, not a finalized decision. There's a department at my college where I'll meet with an adviser to discuss this too, but that meeting's not until December.



So here we go--

I entered college intending to go PreMed. Over the...

Answer 5

Lol who tells you they're BS jobs? I feel sorry for their lack of intelligence then.



Of course it isnt!! People in that area can make 60K+ a year. Journalism for example is an excellence area to get into people are hiring like crazy for them.

FYI to all of those people telling you off the sciences are not the only area. Again I PITY THEIR INTELLIGENCE. The humanities is a broad and exilerating area.

Really if I were you I'd leave university and head to a college thats specific to that area. Where I live there is a college there focusing on a several areas one of them being communications. No idea where your from but check out Red River College (there are others obviously just giving you an example)

Answer 6

Ultimately, you need to choose what makes you happy everyday, not with what society says is more profound. If you love communication jobs, do it! You'll enjoy your life so much more. Yes, of course science majors are where the money is, but that does not guarentee happiness. I say stick with communications major, get your BS, and then maybe go back and get your masters in a more specific area of study that you enjoy the most.



Good luck!

Answer 7

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It all depends in the type of field that you are trying to pursue. I am a communication major [radio/ tv broadcasting] is my concentration. And I too have heard negative things about the communication majors (mostly pertaining to journalism), but I am a firm believer in not letting something as simple as ,what someone has said or a negative experience that they have had, effect you. If you have a passion for it and its what you want to do - then do it.

Answer 8

Communications is what would be deemed a "too generalized major" - it doesn't teach you any marketable skills.



- journalism majors get journalism jobs (but journalism is a dying industry)

- photography majors get professional photography jobs

- pr majors get public relations jobs

- education majors, with teaching certificates, get secondary education jobs

- with no education or experience in a hospital or administration, how are you going to get that job





your problem is that you're just choosing majors based on what you think sounds cool, or fun, but without an research on your part into the reality of things.

make that meeting in December, but do so real research before going to it so you don't make another unadvised and poor decision.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

Yes but with the jobs you mentioned being interested in it might be a good fit for you.