CAREERS AND COMMUNICATION ALUMNI
Why Study Communication?
Communication is one of the most versatile degrees offered, leading graduates to secure employment in a range of industries including public relations, advertising, marketing communication, entertainment, publishing, journalism, politics (campaign fieldwork, speech writing), social media, human resources, training and development, and intercultural training and consulting—both in the private sector and nonprofits.
Communication graduates also pursue postgraduate work in, e.g., law school, communication, public policy, health policy, organizational development, social work, counseling, and higher education administration. In addition to the above specific fields, all employers list communication as one of the top three skills needed for graduates to succeed across numerous professions and careers; in a 2017 report from the Chronicle of Higher Education, communication skills were ranked higher than problem-solving, collaboration, and relevant technical skills.
Professional Development
You’ll graduate with career-ready credentials, as the department provides a variety of professional development opportunities and resources including:
- A commitment to fostering intercultural competence across the curriculum
- One-credit courses about creating the “you” brand
- A department-specific internship advisor and coordinator
- Mentorship and networking opportunities through the Villanova Communication Alumni Network (VCAN)
- Networking and career-related events through Lambda Pi Eta (the Communication Honor Society), and PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America)
- Opportunities to work with individual professors on research projects
- Villanova on Set, an immersion program in partnership with Career Center for students to learn about the creative enterprise, production process and business management of the Hollywood television and film industry in Los Angeles.
Graduation and Graduate School
Villanova’s MA in Communication develops leaders capable of strategic and ethical thinking, speaking, writing and research on communication issues and problems, fostering critical competence and analytical rigor in the practice and study of communication.
Alumni Network
The Villanova Communication Alumni Network (VCAN) connects undergraduate and graduate alumni working in all areas of communication—advertising, radio, TV, film, graphic arts, journalism, marketing, media, academia, public relations and more. Through networking and professional development events, as well as opportunities to mentor current Villanova students, VCAN invites alumni, faculty and others in the Villanova community to engage in innovative programming relevant to the communications profession.
Leadership
Founder
William L. Cowen, IV, EdD, Associate Teaching Professor, Communication, Villanova University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
