7 Life Lessons I Learned from Studying Communications

This spring, I officially graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communication!

This momentous occasion included a lot of self-reflection on what I’ve accomplished and learned over the last few years.

What I’ve come to realize is…

It’s not just a degree. It’s the people you meet, the person you become, and the lessons you learn.

So here are some life lessons I’ve learned as a communications student.

7 Life Lessons I Learned from Studying Communications

1. Don’t let the first NO come from you

Evy Poumpouras, a former U.S. Secret Service Special Agent, often talks about the importance of not underestimating yourself and denying yourself opportunities. 

She’s created a saying that I’ve used throughout my degree which says: “Don’t let the first NO come from you.”

Evy explains that usually when we want to try something new like applying for a job or university or whatever else, we tell ourselves something like:

“No, they would never hire me.”

“No, I’m not good enough.”

“No, they would never say yes to me.”

Oftentimes, we tell ourselves NO before anyone else gets the chance to. But this means that we also miss our chances completely of ever achieving that thing we want.

So, what Evy taught me, as a communications student, is to not let the first NO come from me. Instead, I try my best and let others tell me NO (hint: lots of times it turns out to be a YES).

Thanks to this lesson I’ve:

• Won communications scholarships
• Gotten communications internships
• Spoken at conferences
• Made new connections

Basically, what I’m trying to say is you’ll never know unless you try. So please try 😉

2. Miscommunication is common, so it’s always best to ask for clarification

As a communications student, I’ve learned that miscommunication happens ALL. THE. TIME.

I’ve had countless group projects where each team member understood the assignment slightly differently, and we’ve all misunderstood each other’s ideas too.

The worst is when you don’t even realize there’s been a miscommunication until it’s too late.

That’s how I’ve learned that asking for clarification is the best solution to miscommunication.

Whether you’re working on a group project, in an interview, or just need more information, it’s always best to ask follow-up questions and understand as much as you can.

3. The best way to learn is through experience

All the biggest lessons I’ve learned in my time as a communications student have been through experiences.

The class trips, the communications internships, and the events I’ve attended.

I learned this lesson even deeper when I studied communications abroad in Switzerland for a semester. Every day abroad was a new experience and I don’t think I ever learned as much on a daily basis as I did while abroad.

This taught me that the best way to learn is to do. This doesn’t mean that you’ll always succeed on the first try, but it does mean that you’ll remember the lesson for the rest of your life and career.

4. Start before you’re ready

Studying and working in communications means you’re constantly trying new things, strategies, projects, and plans.

At times I was scared to start new projects or goals because I felt like I wasn’t ready enough (this Comms&Me website is an example!).

Being in the communications industry taught me that it’s better to start than to wait for everything to be perfect. The communications industry moves so fast that you’ll never be fully ready.

And like I said in Lesson #3, learning through experience is the best way, and once you just get started you’ll realize that you already have the skillset you need.

5. If you have a dream and a plan, you can do anything

Communications is a very practical program that often focuses on supporting a company’s or brand’s goals. Communications professionals are the ones who bring companies’ visions to life.

I’ve learned that to be the best communications professional you can be, you need to have a dream/goal/vision and also know how to execute that into a concrete plan and strategy.

And so, through studying communications, I’ve learned that the key to success is to have a dream AND a plan.

6. One cannot not communicate

In my communications classes, I’ve had the following quote drilled into my head over and over again: 

“One cannot not communicate.”

Paul Watzlawick, a communication theorist

This means that everyone, everywhere, is always communicating. Even when you think you’re not communicating, you are.

Learning this quote has made me a better communicator.

In my professional life, when developing a social media campaign or drafting a communications plan, I’m not only aware of the words I write but also, of the platforms I use, the tone, the emojis, and the pictures. Because EVERYTHING IS COMMUNICATION!

In my personal life, it’s helped me with my interpersonal connections and learning how to read people around me. Now I’m better at reading body language, movement, tone of voice, etc.

Once you learn that everyone is always communicating, it can help you better understand yourself and the people around you.

7. The world needs communicators

Communications is a program of study that gets misjudged by many people.

Lots of communications students feel disheartened when people say that communications is “easy”, has “no job prospects” and many other myths.

Here’s what I can say after getting a degree in communications: THE WORLD NEEDS COMMUNICATORS.

Every industry needs communicators.

Every company needs communicators.

So, this is a reminder to all communications students out there: you’re needed and you’re important. And countless successful people have studied communications.

Communications isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

What lessons did you learn from studying communications?

Have you studied communications? Comment below what lessons you’ve learned from your degree. I’d love to know!