#46: A Guide to Majoring in Communications

In this episode, I continue my sporadic series on various college majors students may choose. To discuss the field of Communications, I’ve invited back Dr. Tim Muehlhoff, professor of Communications at Biola University.

In this podcast we discuss:

• How Tim decided to major in Communications
• Career choices Communications majors have
• The two things a college education should provide
• The personal characteristics that will help you flourish in Communications
• How studying Communications has helped his faith
• Mainstream ideas in Communications that are consistent with a Christian worldview
• Mainstream ideas in Communications that are inconsistent with a Christian worldview
• How to engage these ideas constructively
• The emerging “golden era” of Christian communications theorists
• How to discover the direction of a university’s Communications major
• Movements afoot in Communications to be aware of
• The growing influence of digital media, and how Christians can be thoughtful about this opportunity
• Practical advice to keep our family (and friends, churches, businesses) together when we deeply disagree
• The important role of internships for a career in Communications, and the role of professional societies
• His advice to his 18-year-old self considering majoring in Communications
• The importance of being in a community of Christians at college, no matter what your major is

Resources mentioned during our conversation:

• Tim Muehlhoff and Todd Lewis, Authentic Communication: Christian Speech Engaging Culture
• Biola University Communications Department
• Tim Muehlhoff and Sean McDowell, End the Stalemate: Move Past Cancel Culture to Meaningful Conversations
• Sean McDowell’s YouTube channel 
• Tim Muehlhoff and Rick Langer, The Winsome Conviction project and podcast
• Patrick Lencioni, The Ideal Team Player: How to Recognize and Cultivate Three Essential Virtues
• NCA – National Communication Association and RCA – Religious Communication Association
•  Stan Wallace, College Faith podcast series on campus ministries