Famous People You Didn’t Know Studied Communication (+ Their Career Advice)
This week, I’m sharing a blog post that’s a bit more fun and pop culture-related.
Have you ever wondered what celebrities studied communication back in their university days?
Here’s a compiled list of some famous people who studied communication and some career advice they’ve given in the past to succeed.
Famous People You Didn’t Know Studied Communication (+ Their Career Advice)
Oprah Winfrey, talk show host
Oprah Winfrey is a woman who needs no introduction. A talk show host, TV producer, author, AND a communications major! Oprah’s career path shows just how many creative paths comms majors follow and that the opportunities are endless.
University Program: Speech Communications and Performing Arts at Tennessee State University (1968)
Oprah’s Career Advice: “Become so skilled, so vigilant, so flat-out fantastic at what you do that your talent cannot be dismissed.”
Did you know? Oprah gave the 2018 commencement speech for the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. Watch the Oprah Winfrey 2018 Commencement Speech: USC Annenberg.
Amy Poehler, actress
An American actress and comedian who has starred in comedy roles on Saturday Night Live (SNL), Parks and Recreation, and Mean Girls (2004). Amy Poehler is a perfect example of how comedy and communication can go hand in hand.
University Program: Media and Communications from Boston College (1993)
Amy’s Career Advice: “As you navigate through the rest of your life, be open to collaboration. Other people and other people’s ideas are often better than your own. Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you, spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life.”
Arsenio Hall, actor
Actor and late-night host of the Arsenio Hall Show (1989-1994). Arsenio Hall has been in the media and entertainment industry for the past 40 years. He is another fellow communication alum who proves that studying communication can be useful for a career in public speaking and hosting.
University Program: Speech Communication from Kent State University (1976)
Arsenio’s Career Advice: “Reaching deep down and finding confidence has made all my dreams come true.”
Cedric the Entertainer, comedian
Cedric the Entertainer is an American stand-up comedian and actor. He has starred in many comedy movies and done voice work in numerous animated films.
And here’s a fun fact: Cedric’s younger sister Sharita Kyles Wilson is also a communications graduate (University of Missouri, ’90). She is now a communication professor at Pepperdine University. Studying communication clearly runs in the family 😉
University Program: Mass Communication at Southeast Missouri State University (1987)
Cedric’s Career Advice: “Laughter is a universal language that brings people together.”
Howard Stern, radio host
Stern is a media personality and broadcaster known for his radio show The Howard Stern Show (1986-present). Howard Stern’s career in radio shows how a communication degree can lead to a future in broadcasting and radio.
University Program: Communications at Boston University (1976)
Howard’s Career Advice: “It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it.”
Matthew McConaughey, actor
Matthew McConaughey is an award-winning actor who’s worked in the entertainment industry for 30 years. He studied radio, television, and film while at the College of Communication at the University of Texas at Austin. His studies are a sure sign that he was destined for the spotlight!
University Program: Radio-Television-Film from the College of Communication at the University of Texas at Austin (1993)
Matthew’s Career Advice: “You want to be a writer? Start writing. You want to be a filmmaker? Start shooting stuff on your phone right now.”
Jerry Seinfeld, comedian
A comedian, actor, and producer known for his sitcom Seinfeld (1989-1998). Jerry Seinfeld’s career in comedy and entertainment shows how communications graduates can use their degree even in the comedy industry!
University Program: Communications and Theater from Queens College, City University of New York (1976)
Jerry’s Career Advice: “Keep your head up in failure, and your head down in success.”
Did you know? Jerry gave the 2024 commencement speech at Duke University. Watch Jerry Seinfeld’s 2024 Duke Commencement Address.
Spike Lee, film director
Spike Lee, an American film director and screenwriter is internationally recognized for his film producing which has led to many breakthrough stars like Denzel Washington and Samuel L. Jackson. Spike’s career demonstrates how a degree in communication can be used to build a career behind the camera and in screenwriting.
University Program: Mass Communication from Morehouse College (1979)
Spike’s Career Advice: “You have to do the research. If you don’t know about something, then you ask the right people who do.”
Howard Schultz, former CEO of Starbucks
An American businessman and former CEO of Starbucks, and former co-owner of the Seattle SuperSonics basketball team. Schultz has had a long career in business and operations and proves how a degree in communication can lead to a prosperous career in business.
University Program: Communication from Northern Michigan University (1975)
Howard’s Career Advice: “You have to be honest and authentic and not hide. I think the leader today has to demonstrate both transparency and vulnerability, and with that comes truthfulness and humility.”
Mark Harmon, actor
Actor and former college football player, Mark Harmon is best known for his lead role as Leroy Jethro Gibbs on NCIS. During his college days studying communications, Harmon was a star football player at UCLA and moved on to work briefly in advertising and business before moving to acting.
University Program: Communications from University of California Los Angeles (1973)
Mark’s Career Advice: “It’s a lot easier to do good work when you have good words to say and work with good people.”
Bob Iger, CEO of Disney
Did you know that the CEO of The Walt Disney Company is a communications grad? Bob Iger, a media executive and businessman, has transformed the business world and was named Time’s 2019 Businessperson of the Year.
University Program: Television and Radio from the School of Communications at Ithaca College (1973)
Bob’s Career Advice: “Take risks early in your career to learn and grow quickly.”
Al Roker, weather anchor
Al Roker, an American TV personality and weather anchor is a communication graduate who has built an impressive career in media and broadcasting. Al is known as NBC’s Today show’s weatherman.
University Program: Communication from State University New York at Oswego (1976)
Al’s Career Advice: “You should know the power of yes and the power of no. When it comes to my career, I like to say yes a lot.”
Erik Spoelstra, NBA Miami Heat coach
As head coach of the Miami Heat NBA basketball team since 2008, Spoelstra has proved himself as a leader in the sports world for many years. As a college basketball player and communications major, Spoelstra’s career demonstrates how you can combine a passion for sports and communication into a career in coaching and leadership.
University Program: Communications from the University of Portland (1992)
Erik’s Career Advice: “Don’t focus on the victory, focus on the task.”
Wendy Williams, talk show host
Wendy Williams is a media personality and former talk show host of The Wendy Williams Show (2008-2022). Wendy’s career in radio and television shows how a degree in communication can be a useful start to a career in hosting and media.
University Program: Communications from Northeastern University (1986)
Wendy’s Career Advice: “Believe it or not, there are interesting elements in everyone. So if I can’t talk to everybody for at least 7 to 10 minutes, then I’m in the wrong profession.”
Hannah Storm, sports journalist
Hannah Storm is an American TV sports journalist and anchor of ESPN’s SportsCenter. Storm has been in sports broadcasting for the last thirty years and is a great example of using a communications degree to pursue a sports communication career.
University Program: Communications and Political Science from the University of Notre Dame (1983)
Hannah’s Career Advice: “I believe in tackling things you’re afraid of.”
Jermaine Cole (J. Cole), rapper
Jermaine Cole, more commonly known under his stage name J. Cole, is an American rapper and record producer. He has written and rapped alongside notable rappers like Jay Z and Wiz Khalifa. As a communications graduate, J. Cole is proving the utility of studying communication and using it for songwriting and poetry.
University Program: Communications from St John’s University (2007)
J. Cole’s Career Advice: “Whatever is in your path and in your heart, you need to do.”
Do these celebrities’ career paths inspire you?
Comment below to tell me who’s career path inspires you and what you wish to accomplish with a communications degree.