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Communication

Major (BA)

Communication media are reshaping our relationships to the world and each other. Gain the skills to analyze these dynamics and produce powerful communications yourself—skills in high demand in diverse careers.

About the Communication Program

A communication major will prepare you to use your voice effectively in oral, written, visual, and digital media. You’ll choose from a wide range of classes focused on practical skills, including journalism, video production, podcasting, digital marketing and storytelling, and letterpress printing. You’ll also take courses that analyze theories of communication; the historical, political, social, and cultural contexts of media production; and the impact of media on diverse audiences. Our small class sizes will ensure you benefit from one-on-one interactions with professors dedicated to your success.

The communication major offers a choice of three concentrations:

  • Business Communication
  • Political Communication
  • Media & Cultural Studies

With advice from your faculty advisor, you’ll customize your selected concentration to suit your interests and goals. Your coursework will prepare you for an off-campus internship and for your senior capstone experience, which may take the form of a faculty-directed research project, a senior seminar, or a relevant project-based course.

When you graduate, you’ll be ready for just about any career path that requires critical thinking and practical communication skills. Jobs for communication majors can range from political activism to media production to marketing. You’ll also be prepared for graduate studies in communication, business, journalism, film, law, political science, public policy, and more.

Courses You Could Take

Communication, Presence & Public Speaking
Activism in the Digital Age
Digital Storytelling
Sociology of Mass Communication
Marketing Research
Ethical Reasoning in Politics & Public Policy

Beyond the Classroom

Learning isn’t limited to the classroom at Mills. Take a look at some of the opportunities you can have while studying communication.

On-Campus Events and Activiteis
Join a lively community of students and faculty who practice their communication skills in a wide range of contexts, including:
  • The Campanil—Volunteer as a writer or editor with our award-winning, student-run biweekly print newspaper and website. You’ll gain hands-on experience and professional skills relevant to careers in print and web publishing, journalism, and related fields.
  • The Walrus Literary Journal—Submit your creative work to this annual publication featuring writing and art by students, faculty, and Bay Area authors, or join the student team that edits and produces the journal.
  • The Writing Center—Polish your writing skills with help from trained student tutors, or apply to work as a writing tutor at the center.
  • The Lorry I. Lokey School of Business and Public Policy at Mills College—Attend conferences and special events featuring business leaders, policy makers, and activists interested in social entrepreneurship and social change. These events provide opportunities for you to consider the role that communication strategies play in such efforts.
Internships

As a global center for innovation in technology, media, and the arts, the San Francisco Bay Area is home to a wide range of corporations, nonprofit organizations, and public agencies that provide opportunities for communication students to gain work experience. Our career services office can help you identify internship experiences relevant to your goals.

What Can I Do with a Communication Degree from Mills?

Our communication graduates have built successful careers in advertising, broadcasting, film, government, journalism, marketing, nonprofit management, politics, public relations, publishing, and web development. Here are a few examples of positions our alumnae have held:

Executive Director
Berkeley Rental Housing Coalition
Founder and Editor-in-Chief
Hip Mama Magazine
Director, Feature Post Production Technology
Legendary Entertainment
Global Knowledge Leader
Russell Reynolds Associates
Project Manager
The Social Element
Producer
CBS News
Head of Originals
Hulu
Series Producer, Bringing Up Bates
Figure 8 Films
Style Editor
San Francisco Chronicle
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Legislative Affairs
United States Department of the Treasury