1. What CMAT Can Do ForWhat CMAT Can Do For
YouYou
The Benefits to Majoring in Communications in College
By: Sam Hecker, Hayley Bonnington, Jenny Shaughney, and Michelle Malone

2. What is a Communications Major?
The study of language and how individuals communicate
(WorldWideLearn, 2010)
Diverse major
Communication is a valuable skill in any occupation
Learn different types of communication

3. A Good Communications Student is:
Not afraid of public speaking
Eager to interact with others
Curious
Imaginative/Creative
Good team player

4. Skills Learned/Benefits
Present convincing arguments
Strong verbal and written skills
Improve critical thinking and communication skills
Form persuasive messages
Solve problems

5. Different Tracks of the CMAT Major
Narrows the major down into specific categories depending
on aspirations
Possible tracks (Salisbury University, 2009):
Human Communication Studies
Journalism/Public Relations
Media Production
Media Studies

6. Sample Classes
Rhetoric and Public Presentation
Conference and Meeting Management
Small Group Discussion
Mass Media Law
Writing for the Professions

7. Communication-Based Careers
Interact with others frequently
Understand different cultures
Strong interpersonal skills
Public speaking and/or writing

8. Typical Careers of a CMAT Major
Advertising
"An essential feature of the American economy" (DeFleur,
p.407)
Businesses have to make goods and services known to
customers
Without advertising, products would never be sold
Agencies need persuasive, creative minds who have good
communication skills

9. Typical Careers of a CMAT Major
(cont.)
(cont.)
Journalism
Investigating and reporting on issues and events
Accurately communicate events to the public (Career
Overview, 2010)
Deals with current issues as well as entertainment
Requires knowledge of different cultures

10. Typical Careers of a CMAT Major
(cont.)
(cont.)
Business Manager
Resolving internal conflicts in a company
Employee engagement (Career Overview, 2010)
Relaying information within the business
Promoting products, services, and organizations

11. Typical Careers of a CMAT Major
Government official
Public relations
TV, radio, or sports announcer
Television director
Communications director

12. Works Cited
(2009). Communication arts. In Salisbury University. Retrieved November 4,
2010, from http://www.salisbury.edu/commarts/programs.html.
DeFleur, M. H., Kearney, P., Plax, T. G., & DeFleur, M. L. (2005).DeFleur, M. H., Kearney, P., Plax, T. G., & DeFleur, M. L. (2005).
Fundamentals of human communication. New York: McGraw-HillFundamentals of human communication. New York: McGraw-Hill
(2010). Media communication careers, jobs and training information. In(2010). Media communication careers, jobs and training information. In
Career Overview. Retrieved Nov. 4, 2010, fromCareer Overview. Retrieved Nov. 4, 2010, from
www.careeroverview.com/media-communications-careers.htmlwww.careeroverview.com/media-communications-careers.html
Peter Drucker. (2010). What can you do with a college degree inPeter Drucker. (2010). What can you do with a college degree in
communications?. In WorldWideLearn. Retrieved November 4, 2010, fromcommunications?. In WorldWideLearn. Retrieved November 4, 2010, from
http://www.worldwidelearn.comhttp://www.worldwidelearn.com