Electives aren’t just empty space in a program schedule, they are exciting opportunities to expand a Bachelor’s in Communication into a multi-faceted academic experience. There’s nothing wrong with choosing optional classes that seem fun or appeal to personal interests, but it’s also a good idea to use some of them to create opportunities in the future. Many schools have a healthy variety of options when it comes to picking electives for a communications degree, and some of them can have a profound impact on professional and career trajectory.
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Acting and Performance Arts
Acting and performing art classes are a great way for students to expand their social and mental abilities while exploring a new way of expressing themselves. Experience with live performance can be a powerful asset for anyone interested in a media or public relations career, especially when giving speeches or answering questions from journalists. These classes help students learn how to adopt good posture, develop stronger linguistic memory and become more comfortable interacting with other people in different situations.
Public Speaking and Debate
Broadcast and television-oriented communications programs typically include multiple public speaking courses, but any communications student can benefit from taking one. These skills are very similar to those gained from the performing arts, although they are generally tailored to more formal or professional environments. Some courses also help students learn how to create and deliver presentations with audio and visual support. Debate classes and clubs are another good setting for communications students to practice engaging others in controversial or investigative dialogue.
Computer Programming
Virtually every professional field has been profoundly transformed by computer technology, so understanding the basics of computing and programming is extremely valuable. Many people working in the communications profession use at least some coding and programming knowledge as part of their daily responsibilities. Even a few classes in this area can also open up new job opportunities and provide alternate career paths that would be inaccessible otherwise, according to Forbes. Students should research what languages and computer skills, like Java or C++, are preferred for entry-level communications positions.
Cognitive Science and Psychology
Psychology and cognitive science are broad, deep and complex fields of study, so elective courses are barely enough to scratch the surface. However, background and experience in this area can help students broaden their interests and find ways to apply information about human behavior to their work. The fields of communications, marketing and human psychology are fundamentally linked, so a technical understanding of neuroscience and the mind can be a valuable commodity for new professionals.
Undergraduate programs are generally less rigorous than graduate and doctoral ones, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t important. Proactive students can find plenty of ways to develop and broaden their professional skills in the first few years of college. Anyone pursing a bachelor’s in communication should devote time to researching the options available so they can choose exciting electives that build their professional skills, personal confidence and academic experience.