How Communications Degree Seekers Can Stand Out in College Applications

Do you enjoy writing and think you have the talent to make it a career one day? Majoring in communications is a great place to start. First, let’s look at the various fields associated with the discipline, and then we’ll provide a checklist of unique ways to make your college application stand out from competitors.

What is the business of communications?

The field has come a long way from traditional journalism. Communications writers can work in public relations, advertising, social media, broadcast media, or corporate communications.  Specifically, corporate communications tends to cover all the various disciplines, plus: person-to-person interactions, team meetings, emails, texts, speeches, and business presentations, to name a few.

What is the current job outlook in the field?

According to Axios, the class of 2023 is experiencing a tight communications market. The data gives some compelling insights:

• Nearly 60 percent of 2023 communication majors were women. 
• Skills include writing, customer service, editing, and creativity (think branding).
• Companies that received the highest number of applicants include names like Edelman, Publicis Media, Warner Brothers Discovery, and Group M.
• Social media roles lead the field for popularity among Gen Z, with a 62 percent increase in the total number of applications between 2022 and 2023.
• Government jobs saw a 78 percent increase in applications. There has been a visible interest in jobs with employers such as the National Security Agency and the U.S. State Department, while applications to tech firms have been declining.
• Communications majors are not alone when it comes to competing for jobs in the field; competitors include peers who majored in business, entrepreneurship, human resources, civics and government, social sciences, and humanities and language.
• Even though Axios reports that communication is a very tight job market right now, there is a bright spot. In the words of Gary Sheffer, a public relations professor at Boston University: “There’s always going to be interest in the flashy industries like entertainment, fashion, and sports, but we are also seeing students opt for cause-related PR jobs like those in healthcare, non-profit, and government space.”
  

How to stand out on your college application?

Communications jobs are experiencing a bit of a downturn, so the competition for college admission is challenging. But here are six skills you can develop that will make your application a standout:

• Develop your soft skills — also known as ‘people skills,’ soft skills include leadership, creativity, communication, listening, problem solving, time management, and critical thinking. In other words, show up and be prepared to demonstrate teamwork, reliability, and accountability. 
• Communicate like a pro — whether in person, via email, in meetings with teachers or among clubs or teams. This essential skill can be honed while you’re still in high school. Good communicators are good listeners, deliver assignments in a timely manner, know how to lead with a story, and refrain from office gossip.
• Leverage extracurriculars — focus on activities that demonstrate your qualifications for a future in the communications discipline. This can be writing clubs, blog writing, and writing for your school newspaper. Think outside the box of student council, debate, etc. Admissions advisors are looking for talents that differentiate you from other applicants. For instance, being a social media influencer with followers, shadowing a marketing professional, or doing a teen journalism program will help you stand out.
• Engage in public speaking — this is where debate club is a plus. It teaches you how to employ critical thinking; seeing both sides of an argument so that you can counter your opponent effectively. Public speaking may not be part of your classroom activities on a consistent basis, but in the business world, presentation skills are a must. For those with their sites set on a future in communications, college prep courses can give you a leg up. Another intriguing option is to join Toastmasters — a national organization that encourages members to hone their public speaking skills.
• Get published — nothing says you’re a serious contender like having your work published in a school paper or on an online platform. But this goes beyond X or LinkedIn. Rather, check out The Learning Network from the New York Times. Getting your work published is one of the best ways to impress college admissions officers. And it’s great practice for a future in the field of communication.
• Demonstrate your communications knowhow — college admission officers are looking for candidates who show interesting points of difference. Take the time to write an essay that shows your passion for writing, and include quotes from famous authors who have a unique voice; something that moved you along in your own path to the future. Keep in mind, it’s not enough to say “I have a passion for writing;” you have to show it. In marketing, this is called a “unique differentiator.”
  

Other ways to sharpen your skills and test out writing courses include high school enrichment programs. One of our partner schools is Georgetown University. Their journalism and media college prep course is designed for motivated high school students who seek a future in the world of communications. You’ll learn about careers, such as editor, podcaster, social media specialist, content writer, and more. You’ll practice crafting stories, learn how to interview subject matter experts, and hear from prize-winning journalists, reporters, and editors from renowned media outlets. Best of all, the flexible online format lets you study anywhere, anytime that works for you.

As mentioned, demonstrating strong leadership prowess is an essential soft skill. But perhaps you aren’t sure what your leadership style is. Another important course for those interested in communications is Georgetown's leadership course. In this course, you’ll identify various leadership styles, explore the circumstances that call for each, practice effective leadership tools, and uncover ways to motivate others using your unique strengths. Learn to navigate challenges and hear from renowned leaders in the fields of politics, finance, research, medicine, and more.

Are you a teen with a passion for communications? Start here.