A Love Letter to Communications Majors: Learn from My Mistakes
This blog post is for undergraduate students majoring in Communications.
Before I begin, I want to make it clear that the opinions shared here are my own and do not represent my alma mater. This is not a reflection of my university's quality or the education I received. Instead, it is a love letter—filled with lessons I learned the hard way—to students pursuing a degree in Communications.
I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communications, concentrating in Communication Studies with a minor in Humanities, from one of the most renowned Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the South.
I attended college from 2014 to 2018 as an out-of-state student from Lake Charles, Louisiana. Growing up, I always knew I would attend college because I couldn't imagine another path for myself. I was an honors student throughout most of my academic career, and the lowest grades I typically earned were Cs. I attended predominantly Black public schools and was fortunate to have access to excellent educational opportunities. By the time I finished middle school, I had already earned five high school credits, making me the only student in my class to do so. Those credits allowed me to graduate from high school a year early in 2014.
Ironically, I didn't choose my university until just a few weeks before graduation.
I knew I wanted to attend college in Texas. As someone who always wanted a different experience, I didn't want to attend one of the HBCUs close to home. I had spent most of my life surrounded by the same people and wanted something new.
My first choice was an HBCU in North Carolina, but my mother wasn't comfortable with me being that far away. My attention then shifted to an HBCU in downtown Houston. I was convinced it was the perfect fit—until I visited its rival institution about an hour northwest of the city.
The campus was beautiful. I toured the dorms and immediately felt at home. I didn't know how I was going to afford it, but I knew I belonged there.
By God's grace, I graduated without taking any breaks from school, even while battling depression and some of the darkest thoughts of my life. Although I walked in Fall 2018 after completing my final course part-time, earning that degree remains one of my proudest accomplishments.
When I look back on my college experience, I have a few regrets.
The first is student loan debt.
The second is how I handled my mental and physical health.
But the regret I want to focus on today is how I approached college itself.
As a first-generation college student, I believed good grades would be enough. I was confident that my education and unrelated work experience would automatically lead to a $50,000 salary after graduation.
I was wrong.
My focus was maintaining my GPA—not building my career.
I wasn't networking with the university's marketing and communications department. I wasn't developing relationships with professors. I wasn't regularly visiting Career Services.
I attended a career fair during my junior year wearing a light blue Easter dress and carrying a four-page resume that I had thrown together at the last minute.
Every summer, I chased money instead of experience. I worked to decorate my dorm room, buy clothes, and enjoy college life. I didn't own professional business attire. I didn't pursue internships. Like many students, I couldn't afford to "work for free," so I convinced myself internships weren't necessary.
Looking back, I wish I had understood that college is about more than grades.
College is preparation for a career.
One of the most memorable pieces of advice I ever heard was:
"Your network is your net worth."
Unfortunately, I didn't fully appreciate that lesson until years later.
I joined organizations without considering how they aligned with my career goals. I briefly attended an interest meeting for the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) but never followed through. Most of my college routine consisted of going to class, completing my work-study responsibilities, and returning to my dorm room.
I did what was required to graduate.
I didn't do enough to prepare for the industry I wanted to enter.
Now, at 29 years old, I work in a position that aligns more closely with human services than communications. It pays well, and I am grateful for the opportunities it has provided. However, it doesn't allow me to fully utilize my passion for storytelling beyond reports and occasional communications projects.
Over the years, I have applied for communications positions on and off. Many times, I have made it to the first interview only to hear the same feedback:
"You need more experience."
That realization was painful.
The opportunities I failed to pursue between 2014 and 2018 created a gap that I am still working to close today. In many ways, I am now creating opportunities for myself to gain the experience I should have started building as an undergraduate.
That reality is one of the reasons Divine Reflections exists.
So, if you're currently majoring in Communications, please learn from my mistakes:
Get involved in organizations related to your field.
Attend networking events, even when they're uncomfortable.
Build relationships with professors and industry professionals.
Visit Career Services before your senior year.
Create a professional resume and portfolio early.
Pursue internships, volunteer opportunities, freelance projects, or campus media experience whenever possible.
Learn how to tell your story before you're forced to explain a lack of experience.
Most importantly, remember that your degree is only one piece of the equation.
Communications is absolutely a profitable and rewarding career. But a degree alone will not open every door. Experience, relationships, and intentional career development matter just as much as the education itself.
You have the power to graduate with both a degree and a professional foundation.
Please use it.
Signed,
A Communications Graduate Who Learned the Hard Way
