Communication Degree
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Focus Areas
Academic Focus
Co-Curricular and Engagement
Career Development
Milestone
First Year: Explore
Academic Focus
- Meet with your academic advisor and build your academic plan
- Complete foundational courses, including COMM 1004 and COMM 1015/1016
- Enroll in Pathways courses aligned with your interests
- Explore potential minors or second majors and career pathways
Co-Curricular and Engagement
- Attend Gobblerfest and join student organizations related to your interests
- Visit the Student Success Center for support services
- Participate in COMM Week activities
- Begin exploring study abroad and VT Engage or service learning opportunities
Career Development
- Begin developing your professional resume
- Create a Handshake account
- Attend a career exploration workshop or event, including COMM Week
- Explore career options with Career and Professional Development, consider enrolling in a career exploration course (e.g., UNIV 1004)
Milestone
- Identify communications interests and potential career paths, including potential internship opportunities on and off-campus
- Build relationships with faculty, peers, and professional organizations
- Establish a foundation for academic and professional success
Middle Years: Focus and Connect
Academic Focus
- Update your academic plan with your advisor
- Attend a college or departmental info session on research opportunities and engage in undergraduate research or a faculty-led project
- Declare minor or double major
- Take upper-level major requirements
- Review your Degree Audit Report (DARS) and apply for your degree in Hokie Spa
Co-Curricular and Engagement
- Attend lectures and guest speaker events
- Begin undergraduate research or join a faculty-led research project
- Join and actively participate in organizations such as AAF, PRSSA, 3304 Sports, or Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ)
- Serve as a CommLab speech coach, peer mentor, or tutor
- Study abroad or participate in a global experience, if aligned with academic plan
Career Development
- Update your resume and have it reviewed; complete mock interviews
- Reach out to a VT alum for an informational interview
- Complete COMM 3900: Bridge Experience through an internship, research, study abroad, or other experiential learning opportunity
- Attend the SCOM career fair(s), COMM Week activities, and build your LinkedIn profile
- Plan for graduate school applications (research programs, review requirements, prepare to request letters of recommendation) or post-grad job search
Milestone
- Gain first professional experience and clarify post-grad goals
- Declare any second majors or minors
- Make a connection with a VT alum or professional in your career path
- Complete an experiential learning opportunity (internship, study abroad, research) and add to your resume
Last Year: Launch
Academic Focus
- Complete advanced coursework, including Communication Law
- Ensure all remaining degree requirements in DARS are planned and completed
- Reflect on academic, experiential, and professional accomplishments
Co-Curricular and Engagement
- Serve in leadership and mentorship roles within the School of Communication
- Support outreach, recruitment, or student success initiatives
- Continue involvement in professional and academic organizations as you prepare for graduation
Career Development
- Update resume and LinkedIn profile with experiences
- Attend SCOM Career Fair
- Apply to jobs, internships, grad programs, or fellowships
- Attend college and university professional development events
- Complete the First Destination Survey
Milestone
- Graduate with a clear plan, a professional network, and a strong portfolio of work
- Engage with alumni association in your hometown
- Launch into employment, graduate school, or other professional opportunities
Finding
Your Future
in Communication
Our graduates have the skills to:
- Communicate effectively across diverse audiences and platforms
- Create compelling messages using strategic, digital, and multimedia tools
- Apply ethical and professional communication practices
- Adapt to evolving media and communication environments
Common job titles include:
- Marketing coordinator
- Special events planner
- Creative director
- Copywriter
- Broadcast journalist
- Reporter
- PR strategist
- Communication director
Top Employers & Graduate Schools:
- Virginia Tech
- Georgetown University
- New York University
- Florida State University
- Carahsoft
- CoStar Group
- Insight Global
- Washington Nationals
Personalize Your Path
Every student’s path is unique. Use this resource as a guide and work with your academic advisor, faculty mentor, and career advisor to customize your experience.