While online forums question its value, industry experts and educators say a communication degree remains relevant in today’s digital world.
“You do not need a degree to work in the communication field – just connections,” a Redditor wrote in a popular thread on “r/findapath.”
It can be said that online forums are filled with harsh opinions on communication degrees.
Many users argue that a person’s experience is more needed than a degree for jobs in communication fields, and even some people dismiss the entire field as a “waste of time.”
Are these perspectives valid or not?
For Kin Ching Wong, 50, a lecturer and program convenor at PSB Academy who has spent more than a decade teaching media and communication modules, these views miss the point.
“A good communication programme trains students to understand media literacy, audience segmentation, and data-driven content strategies,” he explained.
In fact, as misinformation and digital fatigue increase, strong communicators are in higher demand than ever.
The Foundit Insights Tracker reported that hiring for marketing and communication roles went up by 44 per cent last year, highlighting how companies are putting more focus on content and communications.
“Yes, experience is important too, but it really depends on how far you want to go. Management-level roles often require a degree, and in my experience, graduates with formal training are often better at strategically thinking about campaigns and seeing the bigger picture,” he said.
Still, Mr Kin does not disagree with the argument which is success in the industry often depends on who you know and how much real-world experience you have.
“Yes, internships and networking matter. But the degree gives you the framework and ethical grounding that internships often don’t,” he added.
At PSB Academy, communication students are trained in areas like digital media production, strategic communication, news media, and journalism, with a strong focus on storytelling with various platforms such as podcasts, media law, and crisis communication.
The school also partners with globally recognized universities that specialize in communication, such as Coventry University and the University of Newcastle, Australia (UON), to provide international academic standards and perspectives to the students.
UON students in PSB Academy’s Main Wing studio, producing a podcast for ClassLiving’s “Her Courage Leaders Summit 2025” event as part of their creative project for a real-world client. Photo credit: Soe Wathan
In today’s world, where every brand speaks to the public and one small mistake can go viral, communication professionals are no longer seen as just “nice to have.” They are essential.
“Without strong communicators, even the best technologies and policies can fail to connect with people,” Mr Kin highlighted.
So, is a communication degree useless?
Only if you underestimate the power of words, strategy, and audience impact.
References
foundit. (2024, October 28). Education Sector and Marketing & Communications Roles Lead Singapore’s Job Market Recovery. ACN News Wire. https://www.acnnewswire.com/press-release/english/93528/education-sector-and-marketing-%26-communications-roles-lead-singapore%27s-job-market-recovery?
Damian, T. (2024b, November 4). Communications majors: You are not a joke. PR Week. https://www.prweek.com/article/1893235/communications-majors-not-joke#:~:text=Whether%20on%20TV%2C%20in%20movies,relevant%3B%20they’re%20essential.
Koay A. (2023, March 28). Are private degree grads losing out in S'pore's job market? Mothership. https://mothership.sg/2023/03/private-degree-graduates-singapore/