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I am a senior in college graduating this fall with a Communications Major and Marketing Minor but I don’t know what to do. Help please?
I decided to become a communications major because i enjoy interacting with others and I added marketing as my minor because i thought i needed something more. but now im so confused because ive done nothing to even pursue that and I don’t even know where to start to even look for a job in that field. i was thinking HR or something like that but i have no where to start…..
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Louis’s Answer
Marcie, first, take a deep breath...
You're in a much more normal position than you probably think.
I graduated years ago (we'll just leave it at that!), and if there's one thing I've learned, it's that very few people end up doing exactly what they studied. Careers today are even less linear than they were back then.
One thing I'd tell my younger self is this: don't get so focused on finding "the right job" that you miss a good opportunity to start building experience. Your first job is rarely your forever job, it's just your first chapter.
The world you're graduating into is completely different than the one I entered. You have AI, LinkedIn, remote work, online certifications, and access to people and information that we couldn't have imagined. That's an incredible advantage...but it's also a curse because it creates endless options and makes you feel like you're supposed to have everything figured out before you start. You don't.
Your career won't be built by making one perfect decision, but by dozens of, hopefully, "good enough decisions" and learning from each one.
Since you're in San Diego, you're in a great market. There are opportunities in biotech, healthcare, defense, tourism, higher education, nonprofits, startups, and tech companies. A Communications degree with a Marketing minor can fit into recruiting, HR, internal communications, customer success, marketing, event planning, sales enablement, social media, project coordination, or corporate training.
Don't just search for "Communications." Search for titles like Marketing Coordinator, Communications Coordinator, Recruiting Coordinator, HR Assistant, Talent Acquisition Coordinator, Customer Success Associate, Project Coordinator, and Account Coordinator.
Start applying before you feel "ready." The application process itself teaches you what employers are looking for.
Reach out to alumni from your college on LinkedIn who work in jobs that sound interesting. Most people are surprisingly willing to spend 15 minutes talking to a student.
If HR interests you, look for Recruiting Coordinator or HR Assistant roles. Those are common entry points and don't underestimate internships or contract positions if they help you get relevant experience.
Finally, stop thinking that because you haven't pursued your major enough, you're behind. Everyone starts somewhere. The people who build successful careers usually aren't the ones who had the perfect plan, they're the ones who kept moving, stayed curious, and weren't afraid to adjust course when needed.
Just don't let uncertainty keep you standing still, you got this!
You're in a much more normal position than you probably think.
I graduated years ago (we'll just leave it at that!), and if there's one thing I've learned, it's that very few people end up doing exactly what they studied. Careers today are even less linear than they were back then.
One thing I'd tell my younger self is this: don't get so focused on finding "the right job" that you miss a good opportunity to start building experience. Your first job is rarely your forever job, it's just your first chapter.
The world you're graduating into is completely different than the one I entered. You have AI, LinkedIn, remote work, online certifications, and access to people and information that we couldn't have imagined. That's an incredible advantage...but it's also a curse because it creates endless options and makes you feel like you're supposed to have everything figured out before you start. You don't.
Your career won't be built by making one perfect decision, but by dozens of, hopefully, "good enough decisions" and learning from each one.
Since you're in San Diego, you're in a great market. There are opportunities in biotech, healthcare, defense, tourism, higher education, nonprofits, startups, and tech companies. A Communications degree with a Marketing minor can fit into recruiting, HR, internal communications, customer success, marketing, event planning, sales enablement, social media, project coordination, or corporate training.
Don't just search for "Communications." Search for titles like Marketing Coordinator, Communications Coordinator, Recruiting Coordinator, HR Assistant, Talent Acquisition Coordinator, Customer Success Associate, Project Coordinator, and Account Coordinator.
Start applying before you feel "ready." The application process itself teaches you what employers are looking for.
Reach out to alumni from your college on LinkedIn who work in jobs that sound interesting. Most people are surprisingly willing to spend 15 minutes talking to a student.
If HR interests you, look for Recruiting Coordinator or HR Assistant roles. Those are common entry points and don't underestimate internships or contract positions if they help you get relevant experience.
Finally, stop thinking that because you haven't pursued your major enough, you're behind. Everyone starts somewhere. The people who build successful careers usually aren't the ones who had the perfect plan, they're the ones who kept moving, stayed curious, and weren't afraid to adjust course when needed.
Just don't let uncertainty keep you standing still, you got this!
Updated
Karimay’s Answer
Hi Marcie,
It's nice to meet you! I have a similar background to yours, I actually have my undergrad in Marketing from UT Austin. I didn't go to school to become an HR professional, but here I am 15+ years later. If you really enjoy communicating with others, HR is a great profession to dip your toes into. There are so many different facets and areas to specialize in, or you can also look for HR generalist opportunities where you get a wide exposure to various HR processes, including compensation, succession planning, recruiting, career development, etc. I think what would be helpful is to try and narrow down any industries of interest first, and then try search for roles in the generalist space first, and then once you've had a few years of exposure and experience, then decide if there is one particular area within HR that you'd like to focus and/or specialize in.
Hope that helps!
It's nice to meet you! I have a similar background to yours, I actually have my undergrad in Marketing from UT Austin. I didn't go to school to become an HR professional, but here I am 15+ years later. If you really enjoy communicating with others, HR is a great profession to dip your toes into. There are so many different facets and areas to specialize in, or you can also look for HR generalist opportunities where you get a wide exposure to various HR processes, including compensation, succession planning, recruiting, career development, etc. I think what would be helpful is to try and narrow down any industries of interest first, and then try search for roles in the generalist space first, and then once you've had a few years of exposure and experience, then decide if there is one particular area within HR that you'd like to focus and/or specialize in.
Hope that helps!
Updated
Diana’s Answer
Hi Marcie, many students feel just like you after graduating, so you're not alone! When I finished school, I thought I'd go into education or art, having studied art and psychology. I took a job with a non-profit for a year to give myself time to decide on my long-term path. Like you, I love working with people, and the non-profit job let me meet many different folks and take on responsibilities early. I started doing college campus recruiting, which led to a 20-year career in Human Resources. Beginning in recruiting was a great step, opening doors to roles in talent management, learning and development, and more. There are so many paths in Human Resources that you only discover once you're working. Skills in communications and marketing are very useful in both HR and non-profit work, and I think you'd excel. Look for entry-level positions to start and grow from there. Good luck!
Updated
Wong’s Answer
It is normal to feel unsure before graduation. Many students do not have everything figured out, and your degree does not limit you to just one career path. A Communications major and Marketing minor can open the door to many different opportunities.
Since you enjoy interacting with people, you may enjoy careers in Human Resources, Marketing, Public Relations, Customer Success, Recruiting, Sales, Event Management, or Corporate Communications. These roles all value strong communication and relationship-building skills.
If you are interested in HR, you need to learn about the different areas such as recruitment, employee relations, training, and talent development. You can also take a short online course or earn a beginner HR certification to strengthen your resume.
Since you enjoy interacting with people, you may enjoy careers in Human Resources, Marketing, Public Relations, Customer Success, Recruiting, Sales, Event Management, or Corporate Communications. These roles all value strong communication and relationship-building skills.
If you are interested in HR, you need to learn about the different areas such as recruitment, employee relations, training, and talent development. You can also take a short online course or earn a beginner HR certification to strengthen your resume.
Updated
Martha D.’s Answer
Thank you for sharing your concerns, Marcie. I agree with Wong that you have chosen versatile areas of study and will find your path.
If you have not done so already, go to the career advisors at your college. They have experience guiding students in similar positions, in addition to career matching tests, employer contacts, and job search tools. Also talk with your department advisor and favorite professors who may have suggestions and contacts.
You didn't say whether you have loans to start repaying right away. If not, perhaps consider doing an internship in a field of interest. With no prior work experience, an internship would be easier to get than a full-time job. I would start in Communications or Marketing because you will have credentials in those areas. You could also look into leadership development programs at larger companies, which are usually structured to give participants experience in various offices of the company.
You said you enjoy interacting with others -- the good news is that most jobs will offer that. As you gain experience in work, you will refine who you want to interact with (customers? team members? subject matter experts?) and more specifically what you like to do (collaborate? sell? customer service?).
Last point - as your career advances, what you do and whom you work for will likely change multiple times. Sometimes you will drive the change and sometimes you won't. So don't worry too much about your first steps into the job market.
Below is a link to an article about careers with a communications degree. Wishing you good luck!
Coursera - https://www.coursera.org/articles/what-can-you-do-with-a-communication-degree
If you have not done so already, go to the career advisors at your college. They have experience guiding students in similar positions, in addition to career matching tests, employer contacts, and job search tools. Also talk with your department advisor and favorite professors who may have suggestions and contacts.
You didn't say whether you have loans to start repaying right away. If not, perhaps consider doing an internship in a field of interest. With no prior work experience, an internship would be easier to get than a full-time job. I would start in Communications or Marketing because you will have credentials in those areas. You could also look into leadership development programs at larger companies, which are usually structured to give participants experience in various offices of the company.
You said you enjoy interacting with others -- the good news is that most jobs will offer that. As you gain experience in work, you will refine who you want to interact with (customers? team members? subject matter experts?) and more specifically what you like to do (collaborate? sell? customer service?).
Last point - as your career advances, what you do and whom you work for will likely change multiple times. Sometimes you will drive the change and sometimes you won't. So don't worry too much about your first steps into the job market.
Below is a link to an article about careers with a communications degree. Wishing you good luck!
Martha D. recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question.
Below are my suggestions :
1. There are plenty of careers related to communication and marketing, eg Public relations, media content creators, Investors Relations Management, Digatal Marketing, Event Manager, Journalist, etc
You can find out more online
2. Find out more on these careers and determine what you have interest
3. Seek guidance from the professors and alumni
4. Shortlist 1-2 careers yiu would like to pursue
5. Select subjects relevant to these careers
6. Explore any intern opportunities
Hope this helps! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Below are my suggestions :
1. There are plenty of careers related to communication and marketing, eg Public relations, media content creators, Investors Relations Management, Digatal Marketing, Event Manager, Journalist, etc
You can find out more online
2. Find out more on these careers and determine what you have interest
3. Seek guidance from the professors and alumni
4. Shortlist 1-2 careers yiu would like to pursue
5. Select subjects relevant to these careers
6. Explore any intern opportunities
Hope this helps! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Updated
Shirley’s Answer
Hi Marcie- you are not alone in feeling this way and it is completely normal!
It's been some time since I graduated college but please know that your first role will not always be your forever role! I graduated with a major in Accounting and Psychology, started as a public accountant, and pivoted to Finance before moving into Human Resources! No path is linear and each experience affords tremendous opportunity to grow your skills which are not role-specific!
Consider talking to career counselors and advisors if you have not already and take some time to reflect on what it is you enjoy doing. You mentioned interacting with others - immediate areas that come to mind are Customer Service, HR, Learning & Development, Talent Acquisition, Event Management, to name a few.
Enjoy the journey as you find your path and know that it may not always be what you initially expected.
Good luck!
It's been some time since I graduated college but please know that your first role will not always be your forever role! I graduated with a major in Accounting and Psychology, started as a public accountant, and pivoted to Finance before moving into Human Resources! No path is linear and each experience affords tremendous opportunity to grow your skills which are not role-specific!
Consider talking to career counselors and advisors if you have not already and take some time to reflect on what it is you enjoy doing. You mentioned interacting with others - immediate areas that come to mind are Customer Service, HR, Learning & Development, Talent Acquisition, Event Management, to name a few.
Enjoy the journey as you find your path and know that it may not always be what you initially expected.
Good luck!
Updated
Ruben Sandeep’s Answer
You’re not lost—you’re just at a transition.
Do this:
Pick one path to try: marketing, content, sales, or PR
Get hands-on experience (internship, freelance, part-time)
Build real samples, not just a resume
Be active on LinkedIn and talk to alumni/professionals
You don’t need the perfect plan—just take the next step. Clarity comes from action.
Do this:
Pick one path to try: marketing, content, sales, or PR
Get hands-on experience (internship, freelance, part-time)
Build real samples, not just a resume
Be active on LinkedIn and talk to alumni/professionals
You don’t need the perfect plan—just take the next step. Clarity comes from action.