Communication Studies - Organizational and Leadership Communication

The Communication Studies - Organizational and Leadership Communication sequence enhances communication knowledge, understanding, and skills for enhancing organizational relationships. The goal of this sequence is to equip the student to successfully use communication as a tool to enhance organizational outcomes. Students will gain an understanding of how communication processes can be used to manage behaviors in an organizational context while becoming a competent communicator.

Typical careers include community relations, convention planning, training specialist, entry-level and executive management, corporate communication.

Why Study Communication Studies - Organizational and Leadership Communication?

Communication Studies is the academic discipline which studies communication. Students discover the many strategies of how to effectively communicate with different groups of people in varying situations. Coverage includes person-to-person communication such as in counseling, peer advising, personnel management and other business and corporate positions. Students may also study persuasion and message construction strategies that are helpful in sales and management areas.

Speech communication is a broad degree that can lead to job opportunities in many different fields. Skills and experiences gained through co-curricular activities, internships, part-time jobs, and volunteering are critical in shaping a career path. Speech communication is also good preparation for graduate school in many disciplines.

Students desiring careers in training, development, fundraising and similar fields may wish to major in Communication Studies.

Related Skills

• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Effective writing capability
• Creativity – using sounds, color, imagery and art
• Reporting and computer skills
• Ability to create influential and effective messages
• Strong research capabilities
• Critical thinking skills
• Attention to detail and well organized
• Learn to work well individually and on a team, and develop leadership skills.
• Understanding of different cultures

Being Successful in the Field

• Explore specializations within major and professional field. Select electives to enhance knowledge in area(s) of interest.
• Obtain experience through part-time employment, co-op, internships, or volunteer experience.
• Get involved in campus activities and professional organizations.
• Get experience with public speaking by joining Toastmasters.

Related Fields

Business

• Sales
• Customer Service
• Management
• Human Resources
• Training and Development
• Labor Relations
• Writing/Editing
• Office Management

Employers

• Product and service organizations
• Retail stores
• Hotels
• Restaurants
• Manufacturers
• Financial companies
• Insurance companies
• Hospitals and other healthcare organizations
• Print and electronic media
• Other business corporations

Strategies

• Develop strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills.
• Learn to work well on a team.
• Join related professional associations. Get involved in other campus organizations.
• Take business courses or earn a business minor.
• Gain experience through internships, part-time, or summer jobs.
• Develop computer skills in areas such as spreadsheets, databases, and presentation software.

Public Relations/Advertising

• Public Relations
• Advertising
• Marketing
• Corporate Public Affairs
• Development
• Media Analysis/Planning
• Creative Directing
• Writing/Editing
• Audience Analysis
• Public Opinion Research

Employers

• Private corporations
• Public service organizations
• Public opinion research firms
• Public relations firms
• Advertising agencies
• Public opinion organizations
• Radio and television companies
• Sports and entertainment organizations
• Hospitality and tourism industry
• Nonprofit organizations
• Consulting firms
• Freelance

Strategies

• Develop excellent writing skills.
• Gain experience through internships, even if unpaid.
• Serve as public relations officer of an organization.
• Take additional courses in marketing, advertising, public relations, or other area of interest.
• Develop a portfolio of writing samples, ad campaigns, and other relevant work.
• Join related professional associations.
• Be willing to move to locations with greater numbers of job opportunities.
• Be prepared to start at the bottom and work to more desirable positions.

Media

• Writing
• Editing
• Copywriting
• Publishing
• Producing
• Managing/Directing
• Research
• Media Sales

Employers

• Publishing firms including newspaper, magazine and book
• Internet sites
• Television and radio stations
• Film industry

Strategies

• Develop excellent interpersonal and presentation skills.
• Take elective courses in journalism, broadcasting, public relations, and advertising.
• Develop research skills.
• Work for campus or local newspaper, radio station, or television station.
• Get related experience through internships, even if unpaid.
• Learn desktop publishing, webpage design, and other computer skills.

Nonprofit

• Administration
• Program Coordination
• Grant Writing
• Writing/Editing
• Fundraising
• Volunteer Coordination

Employers

• Nonprofit organizations
• Professional associations
• Chambers of commerce
• Community centers
• Philanthropies
• Hospitals

Strategies

• Take courses in psychology, sociology, or social work to broaden perspective.
• Volunteer with community and campus organizations.
• Learn to work well with different types of people.
• Develop a wide array of skills including writing, speaking, budgeting, grantwriting, and leadership.

Government

• Public Information
• Campaigning
• Programming
• Legislative Assistance
• Research
• Lobbying
• Conflict Negotiation

Employers

• All branches of local, state and federal government
• Political parties
• Political action committees

Strategies

• Learn local, state, and federal government job application processes.
• Take courses in conflict management and develop negotiation skills.
• Volunteer to work on a local political campaign.
• Join related student organizations and earn leadership roles.
• Find an internship with a government organization to get a foot in the door.
• Maintain a strong grade point average as many government programs are very competitive.

Law

• Law Assistance
• Prosecution
• Defense
• Contractual
• Corporate
• Nonprofit or Public Interest
• Government
• Mediation
• Lobbying

Employers

• Law firms
• Government agencies
• Corporations
• Public interest organizations
• Private practice
• Colleges and universities

Strategies

• Plan on attending a specialized para legal training school or law school depending upon area of interest.
• Participate in a debate or forensic team to hone communication skills.
• Join pre-law organizations.
• Obtain a part-time or summer job at a law office.
• Take courses in and gain experience with mediation and conflict resolution.

Education

• Teaching
• Research
• Student Support Services including: Admissions, Advising, Development, Student Affairs, Recruitment, Alumni Affairs

Employers

Colleges and universities

Strategies

• Ph.D. required for teaching and research in colleges and universities.
• Maintain a high grade point average and secure strong faculty recommendations.
• Earn a master's degree in college student personnel or a related field for administrative positions.
• Get involved in campus leadership roles in residence halls, student unions/activities, programming boards, etc.

Other Professions

• Admission counselor
• Advertising
• Audio visual consultant
• Biographer
• Columnist
• Commentator
• Consumer Advocate
• Copy Writer
• Critic
• Customer Relations
• Editor
• Entertainment Agent
• Event Planner
• Event Fundraiser
• Human Resource Administrator
• Journalist
• Librarian
• Lobbyist
• Public Information Officer
• Public Relations Specialist
• Sales Representative
• Technical Writer

Career Industry Liaison

Internship Coordinator

Applying to Illinois State

Applying by our priority deadline is encouraged for best consideration for your academic program and for scholarships. Start your application today!

Applying to Illinois State

Applying by our priority deadline is encouraged for best consideration for your academic program and for scholarships. Start your application today!

Minimum GPA

2.70

Middle 50% GPA

2.70 - 3.26

Required Courses

None

Recommended Courses

To find the course equivalencies at an Illinois community college, please review our Course Articulation Guides.

• Introductory-level composition (ENG 101)
• Introductory-level speech (COM 110)
• Interpersonal communication (COM 123)
• Small group communication (COM 223)

Academic Advising

Minimum GPA

2.70

Middle 50% GPA

2.70 - 3.26

Application Period

September 1 – October 1, February 1 – March 1 & May 1 – June 1

Application Information

Current students can use the Apply to Your Program tool on My.IllinoisState.edu.

Major Requirements

To apply, students must be in good academic standing with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 and above.

Students who are currently a declared major in the School of Communication and are looking to switch their major to another communication major need to complete the Internal Major Transfer Request Form. Contact your academic advisor for a copy of this form and to discuss the process in detail.

Application Process

Write Goals Essay (2-3 pages, double spaced)

Essay Prompt: Provide a vision for your future career and explain how this major is best equipped to help you get there.

Research the major and provide your finding of:

• Career opportunities in the field
• Necessary skills for success

Connect your goals to your findings. How will this major help you reach your goals? What can you bring to the major?

Essay Tips:

• Make sure the major aligns with your goals
• Discuss your academic performance as a student, including areas where you excel and areas that are challenging
• Explain relevant experiences (internships, RSOs, and COM classes)
• Make a clear connection from major to career and demonstrate a passion
• Have multiple drafts reviewed (proofread)
• Demonstrate your best writing ability and make sure your essay does not have grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors
• Keep within the three-page limit
• Do not provide your biography or a lengthy description of the major

Submit Application

Choose your desired program/sequence and complete all sections of the online application form. Students can only apply for one major/sequence during each application period.

Selection Process

Applications are reviewed by a committee of Communication faculty members in each area. The Faculty Selection Committee base their decisions upon the following criteria:

• GPA & grade trends: a typical successful candidate is academically above average
• Quality and accuracy of Goals Essay
• Career goals are consistent with the major

Selection decisions will be made approximately three weeks after the deadline. A response will be sent to each student through their ISU email account.

If admitted, you should schedule an appointment with your designated academic advisor.

Denied Admittance

Meeting the minimum requirements and going through the application steps does not guarantee you will be admitted.

Faculty decisions are final and cannot be reversed.

Once the selection responses are sent, the School has filled all available seats and cannot accept any more students.

Academic Advising