Why Be A Communication Major?

If you've always dreamed of being the face behind the television news, Simpson can give you what it takes to get there. I'm Tim Mapes, a Redding native and 1999 Simpson grad, living my dream as an anchor for KRCR-TV in Redding.

Had it not been for Simpson, I may not have gotten into the media because I had no clue that's what I wanted to do. I decided on the communication major because it was broad. In one of my classes, we took a tour of Channel 7, and while we were there, head anchor Gary Gunter said they had internships. I thought it would be kind of cool to get three credits to intern for six months.

Then timing was on my side - a producer quit when my internship was wrapping up, and I started doing the news. I was promoted from weekend reporter to weekday reporter, then to weekend anchor, and finally to my current post as co-anchor of the 5:30 pm and 11 p.m. weekday news programs. I'm under contract with KRCR - the highest-rated news station in town , and I hope to move up into a bigger market in this "super competitive" industry.

Even if TV isn't for you, a communication degree prepares you for countless types of careers - from sales to law to journalism - so it's a great choice for people who aren't entirely sure what career path to take. Take it from me, pursue a communication degree!