After Graduation

Communication majors enjoy a robust and agile skill set. Being equipped to think critically and make decisions ethically, and having a strong understanding of research and analysis, means you can walk into many jobs or graduate school programs a step above the competition.

Our graduates go on to careers in diverse fields. Many go on to attend graduate school. If you graduated with a major or minor in communication, please get in touch with us. We'd love to hear from you!

Visit Hope鈥檚 alumni page for information on resources and services

ALUMNI TESTIMONIALS

Brian Lynn 鈥�13, Director of Branded Sales, Hudsonville Creamery
鈥淭he educational value of a 91自拍论坛 degree is not in the books you read, the notes from lectures or the tests you take. The value is in the extensive network of alumni around the globe that have a passion for helping you succeed in your career. The value is in the quality and caliber of leaders teaching your classes,鈥� Brian says.

Brian says that the communication department exposed him to professors that were more than just academics.

鈥淭hese men and women are practitioners of their content, and many of the projects assigned to us were taken directly from their real-world experiences as business owners, executives, consultants, etc.,鈥� he says.

Brian explains that exposure to complex real-world problems and the expectation to deliver detailed, professional solutions in an undergraduate environment, coupled with the detailed constructive feedback from professors, helped him differentiate himself early in his career.

Victoria Leigh Claus 鈥�11, Director of Human Resources, Sound Tech Inc.
After graduating 91自拍论坛, Victoria received her master鈥檚 in human resource development from Texas A&M University. Because the majority of the master鈥檚 program focused on training and development in the workplace, much of her time was spent in front of the class, providing mock training sessions and educating others while also educating herself. Additionally, she has published her research and was selected to present two conference papers at the Academy of Human Resource Development.

Today, as an HR director, she must clearly and effectively communicate with internal associates, conduct meetings, orientation programs, training programs, etc., and gain support and buy-in from the parties involved.

鈥淭he degree in communication from 91自拍论坛 was a valuable asset providing me the foundational knowledge and resources I needed to excel in my advanced education and career,鈥� Victoria says. 鈥淎dditionally, my choice of a degree in communication allowed for a wide range of job opportunities and educational advancements and will allow changes in the future, should I choose.鈥�

Chris Lewis 鈥�09, Founder and Owner, Innovative Written Solutions
As the sole owner of Innovative Written Solutions, a freelance writing and editing services company, Chris' daily responsibilities go beyond content development and editorial projects. He manages all aspects of his business 鈥� accounting, marketing, interpersonal communication, persuasion 鈥� every day.

鈥淚 thank the communication department for helping instill these skill sets,鈥� Chris says.

Chris says courses like Global Communication and Presidential Rhetoric, overseeing the department newsletter and participating in collaborative, student-faculty research taught him to communicate to a wide-ranging audience with confidence and cohesiveness.

Chris participated in six internships, including one in Chicago and another in Orlando.

鈥淭hese experiences ultimately taught me how to write about any topic 鈥� quickly, efficiently and assuredly,鈥� he says.

Since graduating, Chris has written for over 60 companies and publications in more than a dozen industries.

鈥淚 know 鈥� beyond the shadow of a doubt 鈥� that I would not have had the confidence to pursue such a comprehensive variety of projects without the assistance I received from 91自拍论坛's communication department,鈥� Chris says.

COMMUNICATION ALUMNI "10 Under 10" AWARD WINNERS

2021 鈥� Natalie Brown 鈥�17, writer, speaker and founder of 4:14 Ministries
2020 鈥� Amy Fisher 鈥�10 Weibley, owner and founder of AW Designs LLC
2019 鈥� Allison Garza 鈥�10 Wicker, international relief and development consultant
2018 鈥� Jonas Lawson 鈥�13, addressable account executive at The Walt Disney Company
2018 鈥� Quinn Nystrom 鈥�08, speaker, author and diabetes advocate

EMPLOYERS OF RECENT GRADUATES

White House Office of Media Affairs
Google
Gentex Corporation
Newsweek
WZZM-TV 13
Disher Design and Development
DTE Energy
Herman Miller
91自拍论坛
Judson Group
Murdoch Marketing
Stryker Corporation
Teach for America
Tulsa 66ers
United Way
West Michigan Office Interiors

JOB TITLES OF RECENT GRADUATES

Communications Director
IT Recruiter
Project Planner 鈥� Product Development
Social Media Director
Teacher
Marketing Associate
Multimedia Journalist
Campaign Coordinator
Human Resources Analyst
Sales and Marketing Analyst
Senior News Producer
Theatre Manager
Web Designer
Online Marketing Specialist
Intranet Developer
Business Development Specialist

GRADUATE SCHOOLS OF RECENT GRADUATES

Ball State University
Bowling Green University
Michigan State University
Northwestern School of Journalism
The Ohio State University
St. Mary鈥檚 University
Syracuse University
Temple University
Texas A&M
University of Illinois
University of Iowa Law School
University of Michigan
University of Notre Dame
Wayne State University Law School
Western Michigan University

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS FOR COMMUNICATION PROFESSIONALS

American Association of Advertising Agencies
American Communication Association
American Press Institute
Association for Women in Communications
Broadcast Education Association
Federal Communications Commission
National Association of Broadcasters
National Communication Association
National Speakers Association
Public Relations Society of America
Radio-Television News Directors Association
Toastmasters International
West Michigan Film & Video Alliance