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Thread: What do I want to major in?

  1. #1
    Leah's Avatar
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    What do I want to major in?

    I'm doing my Bachelor of Communication Studies, and I don't have to declare my major until next year. However, I would like some fresh opinions!

    The two options (that I like, at least) are Strategic Communications, or Editing and Publishing.
    My school's website gives me these descriptions.

    Strategic Communications
    - research, plan and deliver key messages and campaigns to move people to action
    - manage complex communications processes in a range of industries, including government, health care, education, private sector and non-profit agencies
    - understand and respond to mass communications needs and trends

    Editing and Publishing
    - improve communications by checking for correctness, concision and clarity
    - edit and manage publications (books and magazines, online and print)
    - understand and navigate the publishing process


    From what I gather, Strategic Communications is a lot of PR type stuff. Being able to speak to the masses, knowing what's "in" right now, having debate skills, knowing what to put in the media, able to create pitches and coach corporate spokespeople.
    Editing and Publishing is fairly obvious. I could possibly work for a magazine or a book publisher, but it also allows me to be on the other side and helps to get MY stuff published. (I write, in case y'all didn't know ). This also relates me to journalism, in a way.

    I really, really like both of these options, and I've bounced ideas off my close friends and my Dad. Care to give me your opinions? ♥

  2. #2

    Mod's Avatar
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    Strategic Communications sounds like a military job.

    Anyways, I would probably go with SC over EP.

    -EP sounds lame (as an employer, would you be more intrigued by "Strategic Communications", or "Editing and Publishing" on a resume?)
    -SC sounds more specialist and you would learn skills than can't be easily acquired by the public. I think anyone could learn EP with experience, but the PR in SC - not so much.
    -I'm sure that just because you have a major in SC doesn't mean you can't later find a job in EP. The fields sound similar, with SC having the edge in uniqueness. PR is also an asset in editing/publishing.
    Remember that these days, a bachelor's is largely just a paper, where many degree holders find jobs completely irrelevant to what they concentrated their studies on.

    I don't personally know much about either degree though, so unless there's a critical qualification in EP that is essential to a job, that's my opinion.

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    Leah (07-16-2013)

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    Leah's Avatar
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    @(you need an account to see links)

    So many initials, it feels like you were speaking in code.

    But furreals doe, I appreciate your opinion. I agree it definitely sounds a bit better and could probably open up more doors for me. PR is a giant field and there's always job opportunities. Plus, I could most likely find a job doing editing and publishing even if that was my major.

    Thanks, bro

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    Mod (07-16-2013)

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    Bump for awareness.

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    Leah's Avatar
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    I'm giving this another bump for awareness. Heeeeelp a sister out!

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    Well if you want to move into journalism, I guess Editing and Publishing would be better, but at the same time I think, that maybe Strategic Communications might give you an extra edge.
    I mean, since there are probably more people who do Editing and Publishing, it might actually help you getting a foot in the writing world with Strategic Communications. Once you're in and you know more people in that industry, it will make it significantly easier for you, to become a journalist or writer (if that's what you want).
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    My advice would be to not put too much pressure on it! Just because you choose a major does not lock you into one path, I know far to many of my peers who think otherwise and have dedicated themselves to a path they're not as interested in anymore. You can always change your major or pursue additional education. Try not to worry about the job market too much either, it fluctuates wildly and your major is no longer a determinate of your field for the most part outside of engineering/medical careers. Every HR executive I've met had no idea they would end up in HR or had any degree in resources, the marketing VP I work with studied lit, the product manager I used to work with came from a qualifications background. Point is, keep an open mind and don't limit yourself by your degree, such as saying "Oh, I can't even think about that mailbox painting opportunity because my degree is in puppy-snuggling..."

    Keep talking to people and even just thinking out loud, take classes that interest you and see where you end up. I started my college career in Arms and Ordinance Design and ended up in Social Psychology, Personality Psychology and Organizational Behavior lol. Try not to worry about logistics as much now and find what excites you, you'll find your way even if not in university. You can also look into double-majors or just minoring in the subject you like. So if you're unsure, choose one and then also take some classes of the other so that if you want to switch, you already have some of the overlap. Summer classes and January terms are also practical and much more flexible options too.

    Not to mention, you can be in Strat Com (which is not really just PR, you can get into business PR through marketing or government through poly-sci) a nd still contribute pieces to a magazine, newspaper, website or otherwise, right? If anything, just try to remember that you have options, and not to worry about being committed to any piece.

    I hope that helps! If you need any more advice I'd be happy to share whatever I can offer, if it's worth anything at all haha. Good Luck!!!

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    Quote Originally Posted by Leah View Post
    I'm doing my Bachelor of Communication Studies, and I don't have to declare my major until next year. However, I would like some fresh opinions!

    The two options (that I like, at least) are Strategic Communications, or Editing and Publishing.
    My school's website gives me these descriptions.

    Strategic Communications
    - research, plan and deliver key messages and campaigns to move people to action
    - manage complex communications processes in a range of industries, including government, health care, education, private sector and non-profit agencies
    - understand and respond to mass communications needs and trends

    Editing and Publishing
    - improve communications by checking for correctness, concision and clarity
    - edit and manage publications (books and magazines, online and print)
    - understand and navigate the publishing process


    From what I gather, Strategic Communications is a lot of PR type stuff. Being able to speak to the masses, knowing what's "in" right now, having debate skills, knowing what to put in the media, able to create pitches and coach corporate spokespeople.
    Editing and Publishing is fairly obvious. I could possibly work for a magazine or a book publisher, but it also allows me to be on the other side and helps to get MY stuff published. (I write, in case y'all didn't know ). This also relates me to journalism, in a way.

    I really, really like both of these options, and I've bounced ideas off my close friends and my Dad. Care to give me your opinions? ♥

    Honestly to me it would come down to what type of environment I wanted to work in and what type of future plans I had. For example, if you want a family soon you're going to want something that doesn't make you travel a lot etc. You should also consider day to day do you want to be in a busy publishing environment or some place else. Do you prefer the quiet office setting or something like a busy news room. Just be sure to take everything into consideration and I'm sure with a major like that you'll be happy with your decisions.

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