Truth be told, I do not see the logic of seeing a Communication degree and those who pursue it seen as wasting their time. There are a lot of parents that stop their child from taking this course, as if having enrolled in it will never do good in their child’s life. And to make this worse, even relatives, such as uncles, aunties, etc. prohibit the person. They do not like their family members taking a different path. They feel like they know what the child’s future is, and what they should do and consider to make his future the best.
People usually have the mindset that a Communication degree is usually taken by individuals who are weak. Weak from what? Weak from Mathematics and Science related subjects. But no, Communication degree is not exempted to these subjects. This is one of the many wrong beliefs. Communication degree has lots of presentations and research, and to be able to do that, the person must be knowledgeable about Math and logics. In Communication degree, Mathematics is not just a single subject you take up, learn, and then bury when the semester is over, instead it lives with you up until even you have graduated. This is only one of the misconceptions about Communication degree, so if you are thinking of taking up this degree just because you believe in this misconception, well think again. And in this article, I will try to break the stigma in pursuing a Communication degree.
Communication degree isn’t as simple as it sounds.
I heard people say that just because this degree is a non-board course, then it must be easy, just a piece of cake. From now on, kindly refrain from thinking that way. Because being enrolled in this degree is not just about going to school and sitting until the last class. You will be diverted in the outside world, you will understand what society is and what controls it. You will understand the world in a bigger sense, something that you might not come to consider if you were enrolled to another degree. Also, I want you to understand that there is no superior degree, every degree has its own level of difficulty. I am sure a Mathematician might have a hard time making scripts and movies as well as a Communicator might find it hard to balance and solve problems in accounting. So you see? You cannot just tell which is which.
You will learn what communication really is.
You might think that communication is replaceable and the same as talking, but no. There is a big difference between talking and communicating. Communication does not happen when a person utters her words and sets the stage for opinion. Communication is way deeper than that. Anyway, who says uttering a single word and starting a conversion is easy? Conversation is possible between two people who exchange their thoughts, but communication only happens in a conversation when the people involved in it achieve the common goal. Common goal is not about forcing the other end to agree and to also believe in what you perceive is true, but rather it is about understanding each other’s beliefs, to be able to land on the common ground.
And what I really love in this degree is the fact that you will learn Communication theories. You will be surprised how you were able to experience situations that have something to do with these theories.
You can make money by doing what you enjoy.
If reading, writing, researching, speaking, producing contents, and the like is what you enjoy, then you have a huge advantage in taking this degree. When you are enrolled in college, to any degree, what’s important is that you enjoy what you do rather than being knowledgeable. When you enjoy what you do, it will be easier for you to accomplish tasks. What’s more to making money while doing what you enjoy in the future? Imagine yourself getting paid while being entertained as well. So you see, take this degree if you can enjoy it, and not just because you think it is easy.
There are plenty of jobs you can choose from.
Another misconception about this degree is that jobs that are aligned to it are limited with the media and entertainment industry. This is also a big no! Communication happens between people, and so jobs could be available to anywhere that has people in it. Because, they need you! As for instance, in the corporate world, some of the jobs you could find are: event planning, advertising, public relations, consultant, marketing, etc. If you wished to work in the government, who knows someday you could be the press secretary or someone who is incharge of foreign relations?
The world of communication is big, you certainly have a place there, if you are really in it.
This will help you understand your chosen field.
If you are this person who really knows what you like to do in the future, and that is the reason as to why you picked this degree, then you will surely get the benefit you deserve. You will not just learn the basics but the deeper ideals of the path you like. If you do not like to be in the media, entertainment, or even in the corporate industry, this degree is also for those who would pursue to be lawyers. Communication degree could be your pre-law.
You can be the difference this world needs.
This is what I really like about this degree. Many people who influence a person’s life today started from this degree. If you will be the next in line? What could you offer to the generation? There are plenty of communication graduates that served the country for the goodness of humanity. Why? Because they were able to understand people, how they are influenced by and what they can do to help them. By using what you have in communication degree, I am sure that you have lots to contribute for the better of the community as well as for the whole country. You can transform your ideas, execute them, and use your voice to serve the unfortunate.
With all of this, I hope you are now convinced that a Communication degree has lots to say. Never underestimate the degree just because lots of people are doing it. There will be times when you will find yourself empty, missing, and finding your place, that is normal, all you have to do is to continue. Fight that discouragement, and at the end, you will be happy you continue. If you are someone who is having second thoughts about this degree even if the things you enjoy, lies in this, all I can is that I want to see you happy with a job you really enjoy, so choose happiness.
A life fact:
I, myself, am a Communication student. I could proudly say that misconceptions are really misconceptions. It is not easy, even if I love reading and writing. But what makes me love that I am enrolled in this degree is the fact that I got to learn what society is, and the people in it that interact with one another, and how communication plays a huge role to them. I have dreams of being known someday in being a published author, and being able to transform the lives of people through my writing. In that way, I can say that I have served my purpose in this world.
What about you? What do you love to do?
