From a broad perspective, careers in research and analysis revolve around asking questions and finding answers to those questions. Within the field of communication, these questions often focus on human communication, behavior, and opinion formation, and their relationship with societal factors such as culture, socioeconomic status and other demographics, politics, and the mass media.

Depending on a student’s area of focus, they can benefit from classes across the department’s degree concentrations, including: Communication and Culture, Communication Technology and Society, Global Communication, Political Communication, Rhetoric and Critical/Cultural Studies, and Social Interaction.

This career path offers a number of jobs. Some examples include the following:

• College lecturer/professor
• Pollster
• Research Director
• Research project manager
• Data/Intelligence Analyst

Students interested in research are encouraged to work with a faculty member or a graduate student on their research (COM 499) or seek advice from them on their own research (COM 498). This independent or collaborative research work will help students to think critically about research and analysis.

A full list of internships available through the department can be accessed here.

For examples of jobs available in this field, see the below list of distinguished alumni who have successful careers in this field.