Anything you do with another person requires communication.  Whether that’s doing a job, having fun with a friend, or being involved in your community, communication is how we interact with other people. Without it, you would be completely cut off from everyone else.  That makes it one of the most important elements in our lives.

Across all industries, employers consistently rate knowledge and skill in communication among the most sought-after qualities in new hires. That includes activities like oral presentations, persuasion, and conflict resolution, along with skillsets for which communication is a significant component, like leadership and interpersonal skills.  And, adding a double-major or minor in communication makes your other major more marketable. For example, an engineer or doctor who also has a communication degree will stand out over candidates with just the engineering or medical background.

Generative AI is reshaping the workplace, and it is replacing many traditional jobs in business, law, medicine, and more. But there are some things AI cannot do now or in the foreseeable future—activities like building and maintaining personal relationships, giving a speech, listening effectively, resolving conflict, or understanding others’ emotions and adapting your message in the moment. Regardless of how jobs change in the future, knowledge of communication will provide career-essential skills that are in demand.

Research shows that the quality of our personal relationships is one of the primary factors, if not the most important factor, in happiness, well-being, and resilience. Social relationships are so important to us that they even affect our physical health. For instance, an ongoing deficit in the relationships you want—chronic loneliness—creates risk of mortality on par with the risk caused by smoking. Communication Studies provides the foundations needed to strengthen your social relationships and improve the quality of your life.

Excellence in communication will help you be more successful in any job once hired. And, as you move up in the organizational hierarchy, jobs become less about the tasks required in entry-level roles, and more about managing people, providing leadership, and communicating to stakeholders: all communication-intensive activities. The stronger your communication abilities, the more likely you are to move up in your profession and succeed at higher levels.

Most people report public speaking as one of their greatest fears. Developing those presentational skills gives you the confidence that you can succeed when you have to speak at a meeting or event. Having that confidence can propel your career and reduce stress.

Because of how central communication is to every organization, knowledge and skill in communication paired with profession-specific expertise gives you the tools to succeed. Communication Studies graduates are working in every industry, as they use their expertise in communication in conjunction with interests and background in specific areas. 

Because communication is the essential means of collaborating with others, excellence in communication enables you to be more effective at whatever you do. That means your impact will be bigger—on the job, in your community, or in your personal life. If you want to make a difference in the world, Communication Studies can help you get there.

Majors such as Communication Studies enhance vital thinking skills like problem solving and critical thinking. These skills are valuable in their own right, but also more in demand in the workplace. Because artificial intelligence is beginning to do many data summary tasks that people used to do, employers are reporting an increased need for the types of creative thinking that AI does not do. 

Because many people are unfamiliar with the full extent of what we study and teach in Communication Studies, telling someone you have a degree in Communication is a natural conversation starter. And with your communication skills, you’ll have the tools to turn that into a great conversation.