Although many Communication Studies majors train with a specific career in mind, such as those listed below, the skills and “emotional intelligence” developed transfer to a variety of careers, enabling our majors to thrive in today’s marketplace where most professionals can expect to change careers several times.
Communication Studies majors develop the skills (see listing below) that make them “most likely to succeed” in the workplace. For example, leaders in corporations and industry consistently rank communication skills among the most needed in the workplace. At the same time, they note that deficiencies are very common and result in a number of significant problems in efficiency, safety and other areas. As a result, Communication Studies majors enter the workforce with an edge—having highly developed skills in written and oral communication, listening, working in teams, leadership, and other communication-dependent skills. These skills bolster their employability and allow them positive recognition and upward mobility as they excel on the job.
Develop fine-tuned understanding & skill in:
- Speaking publicly Listening objectively yet critically
- Communicating one-on-one Building relationships
- Leadership Influencing / persuading
- Participation in groups Writing with clarity and coherence
- Interviewing and interrogation Informing / teaching / reporting
- Communicating across cultures Gathering and evaluating information
In addition to communication skills, Communication Studies helps students develop what has been popularly termed “emotional intelligence”—one’s ability to manage his or herself and relate to other people. Emotional intelligence, according to the bestselling author, Daniel Goleman, matters twice as much as IQ or technical skills in job success.*
Superior communication skills, coupled with greater emotional intelligence, allow our graduates to excel as professionals as well as be valued members of any organizations to which they belong and the community in which they live.
Sample Careers
Public address (e.g., announcer, spokesperson, advocate, minister)
Business (e.g., account manager, advertising coordinator, corporate trainer, customer representative, manager)
Consulting (e.g., management, legal, public relations consultant)
Education (e.g., teacher, administrator)
Government (e.g., foreign service officer, legislative assistant, speech writer, campaign director, fund raiser, elected official, lobbyist)
Industrial and labor relations
Interviewing / negotiating / counseling / sales
Research (e.g., market researcher, academic researcher)
Writer / editor
Some places our recent graduates work:
Diamond Wireless (Cape):
KMOX (St. Louis): Marketing & Promotions
Keiser College (Tallahassee, FL): Community Relations Coordinator
KRCG (Jeff City): Morning Show Producer
Some graduate programs our recent graduates are attending:
Ball State University New York University
Columbia College Penn State University
Duke University Washington University
University of Kansas
*Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional Intelligence: Why it can matter more than IQ. New York: Bantam. Also go to: http://www.eiconsortium.org/members/goleman.htm
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