Areas of Minor Study for Communications Students
- Writing
- Graphic Design
- Foreign Languages
- Theater
- Photography
Choosing the right minor can greatly enhance the value of a degree in Communication Studies and make one more attractive to employers. While having one or two minors requires more planning than simply taking a wide range of electives, it adds value to a transcript and allows a student to build a clearly focused skill set that will be reflected in a transcript. Some of the best minor areas to consider are discussed below.
Related Resource: Top 20 Best Online Communications Degree Programs
1. Writing
Written communication skills are important for most jobs, especially those in media and related fields. English or writing departments offer many course options in areas including rhetoric, argument, editing, proofreading, and technical and business writing which can complement a communications major. Creative writing courses help students master the skills of building engaging narratives while a course in proofreading can help one avoid embarrassing errors and create clean text following standard style sheets. Many advanced nonfiction classes allow one to hone widely applicable writing skills while business and professional writing classes are relevant to specific industries.
2. Graphic Design
Especially in smaller companies, media specialists need to design and implement web pages as well as create content. Visual design is extremely important. Courses focused on graphic design teach one to create visually appealing web pages. Many jobs in areas such as social media require skills in web design as well as the ability to create content strategies. An extra bonus is that students can focus on designing an outstanding personal website and portfolio to show to employers when applying for jobs.
3. Foreign Languages
Not only are most companies and markets increasingly globalized, but audiences in a given country may have multiple native languages or cultures of origin. Having a knowledge of Spanish language and Latin American culture is important in much of the United States, while knowing Mandarin can be a major advantage given the importance of China to the world economy. Even more important, knowledge of a foreign language and culture demonstrates that one is comfortable in a multilingual and multicultural environment which can lead to more career-enhancing options internationally.
4. Theater
Theater departments offer two tracks that can be useful minors for building a resume. Acting classes can enable students to refine public speaking skills. Film production is equally or more useful as it enables students to learn how to create short videos that are an increasingly important part of many firms’ media or marketing strategies.
5.Photography
While anyone can take a snapshot on a cell phone, taking a professional quality photograph requires far more skill and training. Photography classes teach students how to use professional cameras and editing software to produce high-quality and striking images that can be used as part of a corporate media strategy. They cover issues such as composition, focus, exposure, color balance, and lighting, including such issues as how to use multiple flash units indoors or how to do product photography.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a wide variety of occupations in media and related fields. Each of these occupations requires specific skill sets. The appropriate choice of minor enables a communication student to maximize credentials for specific employment opportunities.