Oh, You’re A Communications Major?

“If a young man tells his date how handsome, smart and successful he is – that’s advertising. If the young man tells his date she’s intelligent, looks lovely, and is a great conversationalist, he’s saying the right things to the right person and that’s marketing. If someone else tells the young woman how handsome, smart and successful her date is – that’s PR.” – S. H. Simmons

As a Communications Arts major at Salisbury University, I often hear outsiders or business students commenting on the pointlessness of a degree in Communications. “You already know how to communicate.” “What are you going to do with a degree in that?” “You’re not going to be able to get a job.”

Again, as a studious P.R. student, I thank them for their input and refrain from letting them know that they are clearly wrong. If you like science, you get a science degree to learn the process behind it and hone your skill so you can work in the field that you love. What people don’t get sometimes is that is exactly what I am doing. I enjoy people; I enjoy speaking; I enjoy mediating and conflict resolution; I enjoy planning; all of these are aspects of public relations.

So, what am I going to do with a degree in Communication Arts? Or Public Relations?
Anything.

I’m going to do anything I want because the options are endless. Specifically for me, I could be a wedding planner, a fund-raiser, an account executive, a speech writer, a social media coordinator, or a corporate conference planner. My friends could be journalists, counselors, sales managers, or lobbyists. I guess that counters the statement of me not being able to find a job.

I guess what I’m trying to say is don’t be discouraged. You’re not a Communications major because Mom and Dad need you to have a college degree or because you’re lazy. You’re doing what you love. I get it. The business student or the law student will probably if not certainly make more money than I do in the future, but I’ll make more money than my best friend teaching English to Arabic-speaking students in Jordan. Do you think she loves her life any less than I love mine? Do you think she regrets her choice of major? The answer will always be no.

So when you get asked questions like the ones I’m asked, just keep learning, keep planning, and if only for once, stop listening.