Mass Comm Majors

[nathan]

Okay, So I went to college for two years and then decided to take some time off. I was unsure of what I wanted to study (and still kind of am) but I really want to go back to school.

I took a couple Mass Communications classes while I was in school and found them to be pretty interesting. I'm starting to consider pursuing this path.

My question is: Is there anybody here that has a degree in Mass Comm? If so, how have you used it? If you had to go back, would you pick something else?

Any input would be appreciated!

[steamthief]

I do. I was able to get a summer internship with an ad firm, which upgraded to a paid internship during my last semester in school, which landed me the job after graduation. Pay sucked, though, so I moved into sales after a year or so.

If I had to do it again, I'd still major in communication, but I'd change my emphasis from mass com to something with more required public and small group speaking.

[Staccato]

Yes, I have a Communication B.A. (Public Relations), and instead I would recommend an IT career path, or pre-law major.
Footnote: I also have a B.B.A. accounting degree from a good school.

[IotaNet]

Originally Posted by steamthief

... I moved into sales after a year or so ...

Originally Posted by Stacatto

... I have a Communication B.A. (Public Relations) ...

I also have a Communications B.A. with a Public Relations Specialization. Additionally, I have a Minor in Business.

When I picked my Major, I also made a decision to go into Sales and I wouldn't change a thing. I've spent most of my career in high-tech selling and it has been very lucrative.

I think that Communications is a great major but you need to make sure to have some practical coursework (either IT, Business or both.) Communications is one of those foundational kind of Majors -- it teaches skills that you'll need/use in any field. The key however, is that you have to have a plan. Use your electives to build around your degree requirements to position yourself for what you want to do after college.

One last thing -- most Communications degrees have some writing requirements -- take advantage of those! Good writing skills are rare and they will take you a long way. They will definitely set you apart from your peers.

[iamlowsound]

I like communicating, but I have always found that it is either something you are good at, or not good at. It can be taught to a certain degree, but if you don't have it, you don't have it. I have no idea what you would do with that degree though, so I am no help there.

lowsound

[nathan]

Originally Posted by IotaNet

I also have a Communications B.A. with a Public Relations Specialization. Additionally, I have a Minor in Business.

When I picked my Major, I also made a decision to go into Sales and I wouldn't change a thing. I've spent most of my career in high-tech selling and it has been very lucrative.

I think that Communications is a great major but you need to make sure to have some practical coursework (either IT, Business or both.) Communications is one of those foundational kind of Majors -- it teaches skills that you'll need/use in any field. The key however, is that you have to have a plan. Use your electives to build around your degree requirements to position yourself for what you want to do after college.

One last thing -- most Communications degrees have some writing requirements -- take advantage of those! Good writing skills are rare and they will take you a long way. They will definitely set you apart from your peers.

So when you say "high-tech selling" what do you mean exactly?

The bulk of what we studied in the classes I took focused on advertising and ethics. They were really interesting, but I feel like "Mass Communications" is such a broad term... No specific "job title" comes to mind when I think of what somebody could do with it. I really don't know much about it.

[IotaNet]

Originally Posted by nathan

So when you say "high-tech selling" what do you mean exactly? ...

In 27 years, I've had sales position at MCI, IBM, and Xerox -- which is my current gig.

As you know, technology is going to be the coin of the realm in this world for the foreseeable future. Companies like IBM, Apple, Cisco, Google, HP, etc., are always going to need people who understand technology but who are excellent communicators to sell their products. The renewable energy marketspace is going to explode in coming years and they too, will need sales folks.

And those salespeople will always make excellent money.

[Unrepresented]

I've got a B.A. in Communications, and honestly, I haven't used it at all in terms of employment. That's more a testament to my choice of career path than to the viability of the major though. Enjoyed 99% of the classes I took, and am glad I got the degree.