Majors at the University of Connecticut

Computer Science

Communications is a broad major with a broad range of opportunity. There is a saying that goes "you cannot not communicate," which basically means that we are constantly communicating with one another either verbally or nonverbally. Therefore, communication skills are essential in today’s world. There are unlimited opportunities for a communications major in today’s workforce. The Communications Department is broken down into two areas of study, which are Communication Processes and Communication Disorders.

The study of communication processes provides a curriculum based on the learning of basic theories, principles, and methods of communication. There is a large focus on new technologies, written communication, as well as spoken communication within the major. There are four general areas of specialization within communication processes: communication research, persuasive and informational campaigns, mass media, and graduate work preparation. Communications research provides background opportunities in such areas as advertising research, marketing research, and public opinion polling. Persuasive and informational campaigns focus on creating and implementing persuasive and informational campaigns that are used everywhere from advertising agencies to political campaigns. Mass media provides a strong background for a career in radio, television, and newspaper production. A focus on graduate work preparation will give students a strong undergraduate background to prepare them for excellence in a graduate program of their choice.

The study of communication disorders is broken down into two areas: speech-language pathology and audiology. For entry-level into these professions, students must go on to attain a master’s degree. Speech-language pathology focuses on deficits in comprehension or generation of language, speech or voice production, resonance, or speech fluency. Majoring in audiology provides training in diagnostic audiological services, hearing aids and aural rehabilitation for the hearing impaired. Both majors provide opportunity to work in a clinical setting.

Academic Department

• UConn's Department of Communications

Nature of Work

The nature of work is dependent upon the field that you choose to go into. The work could range from working in a corporate environment doing corporate communications to working in a hospital as a speech-language pathologist. A major in communications provides a background to go into many different fields with many different settings.

Sample Job Titles

Potential Employers

Some of the locations where communication science majors might find themselves employed are: public relations firms, advertising agencies, the government, news stations, radio stations, newspapers, consulting firms, non-profit agencies, corporations, foreign services, publishing companies, marketing firms, hospitals, and schools.

Useful Skills

Some of the skills necessary for attaining jobs in communications include: computer skills, oral communication skills, written communication skills, presentation skills, knowledge of statistics, and interpersonal skills.

Getting Experience

Considering the fact that there are so many things that you can do with a communications degree, it is also helpful to job shadow to help narrow down that possibilities that you may want to explore. If you are considering majoring in communication disorders you may want to participate in observation hours to gain knowledge of the profession. The best way to gain experience for a communications major is to do an internship or Co-op. Participating in an internship or Co-op will help you gain experience in the field as well as introduce you to others in the field. An internship or Co-op position will also help you develop skills that can be used later when you are applying for a full-time position.

Employment Opportunities

There are many different types of employment opportunities for communications majors. Depending on the students’ interests, they can do almost anything.

If you chose to major in communication disorders, then you would most likely go on the graduate school and work in your chosen field or specialty. There are plenty of ways that you can combine your personal interests into your career as a communication processes major. You may pursue a career in broadcasting and go on to work in television or radio. Or, you may opt to work in a corporate setting. Maybe you would like to explore a more creative field such as advertising or marketing. Whatever your passion is, there are plenty of ways to combine it in a career in communications.

Some possible fields include:

Advertising, education, family communication, forensics, health communication, information sciences, international communication, interpersonal and small group communication, journalism, mass communication, organizational communication, political communication, public relations, radio, television, film, and speech and language sciences.

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