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Description
When I got to Marquette, my classes were everything I wanted them to be and more. The only problem, and one that I was never expecting to encounter, was how others viewed my major. Why was there a stigma associated with pursuing a Communications degree at Marquette University? This research documents my journey with this question. I first detail the essential need for this research. In this section, I will explain how my research fills a gap within the larger academic discussion. From there, I will explain the various methods I utilized to conduct this study from a mixed-method, qualitative approach. After will be the bulk of my research which is the findings section. In this, I find that the perceptions regarding Communications majors could more accurately be described as misperceptions. According to my research, there is in fact no evidence that Communications majors have less to do or are less prepared to entered the workforce. Nor is there any evidence that one’s major is the determining factor when securing a job post-graduation. After discussing these findings, I will move on to my proposal for change, which focuses on changing the existing stigma through the creation of a panel series. I will conclude with my thoughts on the potential and importance of this research, moving beyond the student-body at Marquette.
Publication Date
Spring 2017
Keywords
College, university, postsecondary education, College major, academic degree, major, degree, Choice in major, major choice, Employment, job opportunities, Stigma, shame, judgment, Perception, misperception. College of Communications, communications, comm, Marquette University, Marquette