Our Communication and Emerging Media Department students learn the competencies needed for a 21st Century Career-Ready Workforce!
The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) defines Career Readiness as “a foundation from which to demonstrate requisite core competencies that broadly prepare the college education for success in the workplace and lifelong career management.
Those competencies include:
- Career and Self Development
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Equity and Inclusion
- Leadership
- Professionalism
- Teamwork
- Technology
These are the skills and competencies students learn in our courses.
For more information about NACE and career-readiness competencies, see the following link:
Learn More About Communication Career Opportunities
Our faculty are award-winning advisors. We have a stated Holistic Philosophy of academic advising and personal career advising. We work closely with the Career Services Office to place our students in internships during their college careers and then to gain employment after graduation. Almost 100% of our students do an internship before they graduate. Our courses teach them best practices in preparing resumes and cover letters and undergo interview training.
We list below only some of the diverse careers you might pursue.
- Strategic Communications: Mass communication, brand communication, crisis communication, public relations, media relations, corporate communication, internal communication;
- Social Media/Digital Marketing/Sales: Promotions, real estate, insurance, fundraising, advertising, graphic design, influencer, digital video production, content creation, podcasting;
- Public Relations Specialist: branding, relationship building, community liaison, media relations, crisis management;
- Government/Defense/Politics/Law: Government communications, speech writing, legislative affairs, lobbying, researching, press secretary, campaigner, lawyer;
- Mass Media/Broadcasting/Journalism/Content Creation: Reporting, editing, producing, on-air talent, graphic design, newspaper writing, magazine writing, photography and videography, community relations, podcasting, audio, and digital video production;
- Health Care/Health Communications: Marketing, training, health education, publications editor, activities planner, patient advocacy, health campaigns;
- Education: Teacher, professor, college recruitment, admissions counseling, alumni relations, program development, student activities, sports information;
- Business/Advertising: Management, corporate training, customer service, human resources, media relations, advertising, consulting;
- Social & Human Services: Community affairs liaison, volunteer coordinator, tourism, ministry
- Tourism/Event Planning: marketing, audience analysis, publicity
Traditional Communication is one of the most popular university majors in the United States because effective communication is essential to your personal and professional success. It is the only academic discipline that focuses exclusively on the exchange of messages to creating meaning. We explore what, when, where, and why humans interact. Learning about communication theories, research, and best practices makes you a better communicator in relationships, in teams, and at work.
Employers want graduates with strong communication skills, including written, oral, and emerging media skills. You will consistently practice communication skills in our core curriculum. We are committed to helping you use the knowledge and abilities you learn in our classes to be strategic communicators, influential industry leaders, and engaged citizens.
Additionally, cyber literacy and media literacy have never been more important. Our new Emerging Media BA program focuses on studying new communication technologies. Studying media from historical, cultural, and ethical perspectives develops a strong understanding of media’s role in our lives and society. This increase in media literacy along with experiences gained in graphic design, photography, videography, UX & UI design, social media analytics, and data visualization, prepares you as an Emerging Media major to excel when joining the workforce.
Please talk with your advisor and the Office of Career Services to help find the right career path for you.
Additional Resources:
Overall employment in communication and media occupations is projected to grow. In addition to new jobs from growth, opportunities arise from the need to replace workers who leave their occupations permanently.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics:
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/home.htm
The State newspaper in Columbia, SC, indicated that communication and media areas are among the fastest-growing industries in South Carolina:
https://www.thestate.com/news/state/south-carolina/article263745698.html
Be Values, Get Hired, and Make a Difference:
https://www.natcom.org/academic-professional-resources/why-study-communication