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School of Communication

The School of Communication explores, innovates, and advances the arts and sciences of communication within its five departments by embracing a spirit of “serious play.” Our rigorous curricula, leading-edge research, collaborations with industry leaders, global engagement, focus on entrepreneurship, and emphasis of advocacy and justice work has produced a robust alumni network notable for its achievements, diversity, and engagement.

Career Outcomes

School of Communication alumni pursue a wide range of careers.

Learn more about career pathways for students who graduate from the School of Communication.

Meet a Recent Graduate

Explore the paths of a young alumnus beginning their career.

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Selina Fillinger (’16) is a playwright working on Broadway

Theatre major Selina Fillinger  wrote the comedy POTUS, which opened on Broadway in April 2022. Directed by Susan Stroman and starring Vanessa Williams, Rachel Dratch, and Lea Delaria, the play earned three Tony Award nominations. Selina is among the youngest playwrights to have a show on Broadway and a past Agnes Nixon Playwriting Festival winner. She currently writes for the third season of Apple TV’s The Morning Show and is developing a feature for Chernin/Netflix. 

Internship Experiences

Northwestern students have supplemented their educational experiences with hands on practicums and internships. Explore some of the recent internship placements for School of Communication students.

Student Stories: iHeart Media Internship Program

The School of Communication's partnership with Chicago-based media company iHeart Media gives students hands-on media industry experience through paid summer internships.

Students in this program, which was piloted in summer 2023, worked closely with professionals who trained and encouraged them in their craft. The iHeartMedia Chicago team's program touched every sector of the media conglomerate and gave students the opportunity to work on projects that would translate to in-person or on-air events.

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I appreciated the experience because it’s an opportunity you don’t get in school. Even beyond the work I did, just meeting the people and seeing how they operate was fulfilling.”

Robert Dorsey, radio/television/film and psychology majors ('22)

Read more about the partnership in Dialogue Magazine.

Graduate and Professional Degrees

School of Communication students spend their undergraduate years discovering, exploring, and experimenting with their passions and talents. Often, they want an even deeper dive, and their rigorous Northwestern education is just the gateway to that next journey.

20%
of SOC graduates enroll in graduate or professional school in the year after they graduate

Recent Graduate and Professional School Placements

  • Berklee College of Music
  • Columbia University
  • Harvard Law School
  • London Contemporary Dance School
  • Manhattan School of Music
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • Sciences Po Paris
  • Stanford University
  • University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
  • University of Southern California

Meet a Fellowship Winner

Tanisha Tekriwal (’23) is writing a novel in Greece

In 2023, Tanisha Tekriwal was awarded a Anatolia College Postgraduate Fellowship. They will spend the next year working in Greece through the fellowship. The Radio/Television/Film and Creative Writing major is a writer and filmmaker interested in stories of language, family, gender, class, and empire. Writing for “AUR,” a novel-in-progress about a translator, and she hopes that the beautiful landscapes of Greece can further inspire her writing.

Tanisha Tekriwal

Keep Exploring

See how the school prepares its students for success.

Career Guidance from EPICS

The Office of External Programs, Internships, and Career Services (EPICS) connects School of Communication students with industry leaders through engaging programming and events. EPICS also offers individualized, one-on-one career coaching.

Dialogue Magazine

Learn more about the career pathways School of Communication alumni in Dialogue magazine. The magazine, which is published twice annually for alumni and friends of the School of Communication, also covers current SOC students and faculty.