Communications
The Social Media Management emphasis combines creative communication with strategic thinking. Students learn how to develop compelling content, build digital strategies, understand audiences and use analytics to evaluate the effectiveness of communication.
Students in the Social Media Management emphasis learn to approach digital communication as both a creative practice and a strategic discipline. They develop the ability to create effective content for diverse audiences and platforms while considering the purpose, audience, message, and context of each communication.
Students learn how to develop and implement digital communication strategies. Through coursework in strategic content creation and social media and digital strategy, they explore how organizations can use digital platforms to build relationships, strengthen their presence, and communicate consistently across channels.
Students also develop the ability to use digital media analytics to evaluate communication effectiveness. Rather than relying solely on intuition, students learn to examine audience behavior and digital performance to make informed communication decisions and adapt strategies.
Throughout the emphasis, students consider the ethical, cultural, and social implications of digital communication. They learn to think critically about media messages, audiences, representation, and the responsibilities that come with communicating in highly connected digital environments.
The Media and Communication major gives students a broad foundation in communication, media, and digital production before allowing them to focus their studies through an emphasis. All students complete courses in media and communication, digital media production, speech composition, applied communication, business communication, and intercultural or Indigenous media and digital culture. This foundation helps students understand both the practical skills and critical perspectives necessary for effective communication.
Students who choose the Social Media Management emphasis build on that foundation through courses in Strategic Content Creation, Social Media and Digital Strategy, and Digital Media Analytics. An internship in Social Media Management gives students an opportunity to apply what they have learned in a professional environment, gain experience working with real audiences and communication goals, and begin developing a professional portfolio.
The need for professionals who can communicate effectively across digital platforms extends across industries. Social Media Management graduates can pursue careers in advertising, digital marketing, public relations, corporate communication, nonprofit organizations, health communication, political campaigns, and other fields where organizations rely on digital communication to connect with their audiences.
Whether managing an organization’s social presence, developing a digital campaign, creating strategic content, or analyzing audience engagement, graduates can apply their communication skills in a wide range of professional settings.
Potential career paths include:
Students complete an internship in Social Media Management as part of the emphasis. Internships provide an opportunity to apply classroom learning to professional communication challenges while gaining experience with content development, digital strategy, audience engagement, and analytics.
Students can use their internship experience to develop professional relationships, strengthen their portfolios, explore career interests, and better understand the expectations of communication professionals.
Students interested in Social Media Management can build a portfolio throughout their time at Jewell by developing campaigns, digital content, communication strategies, and analytics-based projects. Coursework and internship experiences can provide tangible examples of their ability to create content, communicate strategically, work with digital tools, and evaluate results.
The emphasis can also complement interests in business, marketing, public relations, journalism, nonprofit leadership, health communication, and political communication. Students may choose to pair Media and Communication with another area of study to develop an interdisciplinary skill set tailored to their career goals.
