<p>Hi-</p>
<p>I've been researching possible majors and schools today-and I was just wondering, what exactly does a communications major do?</p>
<p>Also-what are schools with excellent communications programs? I know BU and Syracuse are very popular at my school-what are some others? Also, how is NYU's? I would love to go there.</p>
<p>They communicate with people. All non-funny kidding aside, this is typically an easy major for athletes and people who don't want to do much work. You could get a job right out of college if you sell yourself right (as you can with pretty much any major) but I would look elsewhere. I know two people who graduated with a communications major and both of them were cum laude. The one (my old roommate) works as a cashier at CVS. The other (cousin) is now in what it seems like his 45th year of study in the field and will probably teach speech classes at the local CC.</p>
<p>:( that makes me sad</p>
<p>are there other majors like this that aren't considered as big a "joke"?</p>
<p>Try international business, something where you have to do about the same thing, but with a different language.</p>
<p>wow i think that is completely wrong. communication majors are highly successful and needed in the world. i will be going to boston university for broadcast journalism and definetly do not believe its a "joke". the best schools for com. is probably (in the east at least) syracuse (newhouse school of comm.), BU school of comm., ithaca, usc in california (annenberg), northwestern in chicago, and the list goes on and on. some of these are extremely competitive in their comm. programs, esp newhouse.</p>
<p>musicman, communications is a very broad field. Under it usually falls journalism, marketing, etc. You can get a communications degree, but from interning at a publishing company, and working as first a journalism intern, then a marketing intern, I've found that: </p>
<ol>
<li><p>If you want to go into journalism, you would be strong if you tried specialized writing, ie-- majoring in one subject and doing training in journalism. There are plenty of specialized magazines and newsletters out there that have a better quality of life then working in a big metro paper (unless this is the way you want to swing). </p></li>
<li><p>My boss views a communications degree as "someone who doesn't know what they're doing." </p></li>
<li><p>My co-worker was a comm major at BU and sits in a beautiful office as the marketing director. She's a go-getter and has a great person personality.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I would say research the field more intensely, talk to more people, and do not decide on a career path based on joev's posts. </p>
<p>As for schools, I suggest you look at Rugg's Recommendations on the Colleges, it sorts schools by majors along with how selective and size. </p>
<p>Good luck! :)</p>
<p>Communications is a great field! Both my husband and I are communications grads...me J, he broadcast. Though as luck would have it we both have worked outside our majors, the ability to interview, research, organize facts, and write clearly and powerfully have been definite assets in our careers.</p>
<p>My career path took me into the design and development of large-scale defense systems. A number of my peers always looked down at communications grads, reasoning that those who can't do real science, do soft subjects. That's baloney! Those neanderthals couldn't read or write their way out of a paper bag. And, I found and my company soon found that I could easily think my way around them...and they all eventually reported to me. Bottom line, communications can give you a real edge in the job market. You just have to know yourself and what you want to do with the degree, the push, push, push. If you want marketing or advertising, try NYC, or LA, or Chicago. If you want hard core journalism, DC is a great bet, or get with a local daily for experience. Broadcast could lead you into any market. And, if you like technical writing, there are tons of jobs as employees or consultants. Also, you could be a medical writer, or a photographer. The list is endless. The bottom line is to be persistent and not give up. Communications doesn't always yield the highest salary, but self fulfillment isn't measured just in dollars and cents. Network whenever you can. American Univ and George Washington Univ in DC offer fine communications programs, plus you be practicing your trade in a very exciting market. It's a great city for young people...lots of fun and often free things to do...lots of culture and night spots...a wonderful cultural mix...a great place to learn.</p>
<p>Follow your dreams, and don't let others discourage you. If you're a serious communications major you will work every bit as hard as the most highly touted technical guru, but you'll get to meet all kinds of neat people from all walks of life, and your opinions will be heard, and you will make an enormous difference. I remember during my undergraduate years and soon after, I met and dined with administration officials, senators and congressmen and white house press secretaries, Hollywood celebrities, legendary talk show hosts, and sports greats. That's heady stuff! And a tech degree can't hold a candle to that!</p>
<p>Good luck!!</p>