About the survey

Two classes were selected in which at least half the students were Speech Communication majors (Sp Cm 412, Spring 2004 and Sp Cm 322, Fall 2005), and the surveys distributed. Fifteen were returned completed, which means that roughly 50% of students majoring in Speech Communication in 2004-5 participated. The survey asked students to give a brief account of their college career, and to explain how and why they had chosen their major. A series of open-ended questions also asked students to articulate their own sense of their learning in the program; these results are discussed in the Outcomes Report

Results

Reasons for entry

We asked students: "At the time you entered,why did you choose Speech Comm? What did you think it offered you?" In their responses, the following main themes emerged. The Speech Communication major is:

relevant

present in 11 responses (73%). These students selected Speech Communication at least in part because they saw it as contributing to their future careers. Some students mentioned specific career plans, including ministry, law and journalism. Others recognized the general importance of communication for businesses of all types. And a final group of students admitted that their future career plans were vague, and valued Speech Communication precisely because it could prepare them well for almost anything. Some examples:

• "I chose it because I want to be involved in business & communication with clients is a necessity in order to maintain profits and to build relationships with repeat business."
• "I wasn't exactly sure of the career path I wanted to pursue so I chose Sp Cm because it would provide me with skill for virtually any future job."

appealing

present in 7 responses (47%). These students selected Speech Communication at least in part because they had either enjoyed prior Speech classes, or enjoyed the activity of speaking. For example:

• "I chose Speech Comm because I had taken several classes in this major already and liked the things that I was learning."
• "It was the first time I'd really enjoyed my classes and what I got out of them. I was taking 212 and 305 and really liked them."
• "I enjoy speaking in public."

flexible

present in 4 responses (27%). These students selected Speech Communication because they would be able to complete it:

• "I felt it was a major that I could realistically work toward a college degree in."
• "I knew I could graduate sooner with it as my major. Being from out of state, graduating soon is important to me for obvious reasons."

fit

present in 4 responses (27%). These students selected Speech Communication because it complemented their other LAS majors: Political Science, Spanish, Journalism, Psychology.

Close up

One student reported having transferred in to Speech Communication his/her Senior year, after having "officially declared" two majors (pre-med open option and BLS), and having pursued a total of six "in mind/classes." His/her reasons for signing up included several of the above themes;

• "I enjoyed 212 and did well, so I wanted to explore it more. Also, I needed to find something that I could do and still get out in a reasonable amount of time—as my scholarships end. I also wanted something that was broad (as I am extremely indecisive and will probably change careers a few times) and felt comm. would be good at that.