Careers in activism or community volunteerism offer students an opportunity to use their communication skills in ways which benefit society, either by working with volunteers, activists, or non-profits. (Other jobs, which are more directly involved in government or social work fall more clearly under other paths.)

Courses in the Communication and Culture specialization would be the most directly beneficial to students interested in pursuing a career in activism or community volunteerism, as they provide students with the skills for understanding how to more effectively communicate with and across cultures and can aid an activist or volunteer in better communicating their aims and needs to members of the community and those outside of it. Courses in Global Communication may also be beneficial to those seeking to work internationally or on global issues, and courses in Rhetorical and Critical/Cultural Studies may help students develop more effective and persuasive communication and enable them to understand the constructed nature of public discourses.

Some examples of careers in activism and community volunteerism include the following:

• Community organizer
• Neighborhood activist
• Non-profit program officer
• Protest organizer
• Volunteer coordinator
• Grant writer/manager

Students hoping to better prepare themselves for a career in activism/community volunteerism are encouraged to take additional coursework in fields such as political science and public policy and may want to seek more specialized courses in fields such as environmental studies, development, education, or international relations depending on how they would like to direct their efforts.

Examples of internships available through the Department of Communication include the following:

• Development/Community specialist for the Salvation Army
• Community Relations Coordinator for the Jubilee Women’s Center
• New Media Internship for the Youth Suicide Prevention Program
• Special Events/Development Intern for the Make-a-Wish Foundation
• Communications Intern for Eastsides Legal Assistance Program

You can search for non-profit internship opportunities here.

Below, we’ve listed several alumni from the Department of Communication with successful careers in the activism/community volunteerism