Maggie Lile, features editor

Messages are everywhere. Whether you are aware of it or not, every single interaction you experience is either sending or receiving a message; an Instagram post, ignoring a text, making eye contact with your roommate, showing up late to class, laughing at someone’s joke, the stickers on your water bottle, the sign in your neighbors yard or the way you smile and nod when your friend is talking to you — they are all messages being shown off to the world. The system of how these messages and other kinds of information are broadcasted is called communication. With the overwhelming amount of messages we unknowingly send and receive each day, it makes sense that the messages can become messy, unclear and misunderstood. That is why studying and learning how to use communication competently is key.

Augsburg Professor Kristen Chamberlain has a lot to teach us all about the art of communication. With her role in Augsburg’s Communications, Film and New Media department (CFN) since 2007, her roots in this community run deep. Starting off with a Bachelors of Science in Communications from North Dakota State University (NDSU), her love for communications pushed her to pursue her PhD in communications just three days after graduating. “I started teaching communication classes for my department my second year as a grad student and knew I loved it right away,” she stated in an interview with the Echo.

But, teaching communications wasn’t always her plan. “When I started my undergraduate degree at NDSU, I thought I wanted to be a broadcast journalist,” she said. Throughout her journalism classes, she realized it wasn’t the path for her. “…I realized that I didn’t have the personality for investigative journalism. However, I loved all my communication classes and was learning so much,” Chamberlain fondly recalled. “Communication is a really practical field of study. After day one in class, what you learn can literally improve your life.” 

From a career perspective, a degree in communications can certainly take you anywhere. “I know someone who worked at Nintendo after finishing their Master’s Degree in communication. I know people who work in public relations and in marketing, as well as people who have gone on to work for non-profits. I’ve also known people who have gone into politics,” Chamberlain said, highlighting some of the unique paths people have ended up on after studying communications. Again, messages are everywhere. Businesses and organizations are always trying to get their message across in countless different ways, making communications an ever-growing field that will be necessary across the job market for the foreseeable future. 

Alternately, from an individual perspective, studying communications can also improve almost every aspect of your personal life. Chamberlain explained that “Communication has impacted every aspect of my life outside of school. It has definitely strengthened my relationships. Communication is [the] fundamental process of developing and maintaining relationships. I am a better partner, parent and friend because of my knowledge of communication.” Honing your communication skills can lead you down the road to success — professionally and personally.  

The Communications, Film and New Media Department has created an exceptionally welcoming environment for both staff and students. “I could not imagine being a part of a better department,” Chamberlain expressed. Featuring experts on political campaign communications, argumentation, interpersonal and family communication, journalism, marketing, documentary film and much more, the CFN can cater to every student’s interests and help them build their communication toolbox.