Ariana Dominguez is a junior majoring in communication with minors in advertising and Spanish. Ariana is an LAS marketing intern, where she puts her passion for content creation into practice. In addition to her internship, Ariana is involved in the Association of Latino Professionals for America and the Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority Inc.
What does a communication major do and learn?
When I first chose to become a communication major at Illinois, I didn’t fully realize just how much it would shape the way I view the world and how much it would open my eyes to the discipline of communication and beyond. Majoring in communication has allowed me to truly understand how it truly influences the world around me, and in so many ways. From careers to relationships to media, communication really plays a huge role in shaping how we engage and connect with the world.
“What do you do with a communication major? What do you learn?” is a question I commonly hear. I used to struggle to answer this question but through my experience in liberal arts and communication courses, I’ve come to realize that communication is way more than just talking and interaction. Instead, communication is about analyzing messages, understanding people, connections, and working on skills that will fit into almost any path you choose and follow.
A Usual Week in My Life
A typical week as a communication major consists of a mix of classes, meetings, RSO’s, and other creative work. My recent schedule includes lectures where professors present on a certain concept or reading, along with discussion classes where engagement is important.
Outside of class hours, I spend some time doing any homework or projects. Communication majors tend to do a lot of teamwork and collaboration, which can help with career collaboration in the future. My coursework has taught me how to manage my time, communicate effectively (especially in group work), as well as how to solve problems and navigate different topics.
Additionally, I am an LAS Marketing intern as well. This opportunity has allowed me to apply what I'm learning in class to a real-world experience. I often find that a lot of skills from my communication classes mesh into my work, whether I am working on campaign projects, writing, or brainstorming content ideas.
Some of my favorite Communication classes I’ve taken at Illinois have been:
- CMN 396 (Communication & Leadership)
- CMN 211(Business and Professional Comm)
- CMN 375 (Imagining the Past and Future)
The people in my communication classroom spaces also make the learning so much more interesting! Every individual there has so much to contribute and are all very diverse in their strengths, thinking, and overall engagement in the course.
Lessons I Have Learned
Throughout my time being part of the College of LAS as a communication major, I’ve been able to learn many lessons that go beyond the classroom. There have been many positive experiences that have allowed me to expand my knowledge and education. Overall, this experience has contributed to my open-minded mentality that continues to grow. A lot of what I learned was not just skills or information, but instead it was more about life learning, worldview, and theories.
Another important lesson I’ve learned is that communication is something that is constantly happening and evolving, even if an individual realizes it or not. From the way we respond or choose to stay silent, to the way we interpret readings and texts, and to the way we engage with media or how we interact with others, my communication major highlighted these interactions and has made me more intentional and aware about how I communicate with others.
Why I Love Being a Communication Major
What I love most about majoring in communication is how so much of what you learn is easily applicable to real life. Studying communication has allowed me to think about communicating and engaging with others in a more intentional and effective way.
Communication has opened paths to so many different opportunities. From internships, to projects, and future career choices, the assets I’ve gained from my learning are so relevant and transferable to almost any career field. This broad flexibility is something that was scary at first but I’ve learned to value it a lot, especially as I continue growing and exploring with the different opportunities I take on.
If you’re considering going down the path of LAS and more specifically communication at Illinois, know that it’s not just about simple one-on-one talking or public speaking. It’s truly about understanding the world around us, challenging perspectives, exploring different ideas, and growing personally, academically and professionally.