On Monday nights, laughter and conversations drift from the 14th floor of the Cathedral of Learning, where students gather for Pitt’s Communication Club meetings. Through its meetings, guest speakers, and professional development activities, the goal of Comm Club is to help students explore their interests and discover how their degree will benefit them in different careers.
The club’s main goal is to build a stronger network within the Department of Communication while also welcoming students from other majors who are interested in communication. For a discipline that spans everything from public relations to research and political communication, finding a community of people with similar interests can make a difference.
Since its relaunch in 2025, Comm Club has worked to bridge the gap between Media and Professional Communication (MPC) in the College of General Studies and Communication: Rhetoric and Communication (COMMRC) students. Board members recognized that all communication students needed more opportunities to connect outside the classroom, as students do not always know what they want to pursue after graduation.
“We really want people to walk away understanding that being in a broad field can be a strength,” President Liz Langer explained. Langer and other officers wanted to challenge the misconception that communication is limited to creating social media content or designing advertisements. The club aims to help students identify their skills, explore real-world careers, and take initiative to pursue opportunities that apply what they learn in class.
For Junior COMMRC Major Jenna Horwitch, the club provides an opportunity to meet other students with similar interests. “It can be hard in classes to connect with other communications students,” Horwitch said, “[at comm club] I’ve been able to connect on a deeper level with others.” She particularly enjoys working with others to brainstorm brand ideas and explore marketing, creating a network and experiences she believes will help lay a strong foundation for her future job.
Professional development is another important part of the club’s mission. Members have opportunities to learn about career paths, connect with professionals, and explore their interests outside the classroom.
Mollie Young, the club’s business manager, also emphasized the importance of exploring the different paths available to communication students. She explained that the club wants to move beyond social media and introduce members to research and other areas of study within the communications field.
The club has introduced students to professionals working in different industries, exposing them to potential careers in areas such as sports, government, and law. Other activities include resume events with alumni, marketing workshops, and opportunities to develop branding ideas.
Board members want to create a welcoming and empowering space for students across Pitt who are interested in media, marketing, and other areas of communication, regardless of their academic background. Comm Club also collaborates with other Pitt organizations, including American Marketing Association (AMA) at Pitt and Cherry Bomb Literary Magazine. Others may be interested in media as a hobby or have minors and certificates that complement their communication studies. By bringing these students together, the club hopes to build connections across academic disciplines.
Although the club can connect members with professionals and expose them to potential career paths, students must take the initiative to develop those relationships and pursue opportunities. Young described the club as a starting point for students looking to discover their interests and develop their skills.
“We are a medium for people to find themselves those skills,” Young said. “We are the people you go through to get that person’s information.”
As the club continues to grow, its board hopes to reach a wider audience and expand its professional development opportunities.
For students who are still figuring out what they want to do with their degree, Comm Club offers a place to start. By bringing together students with different interests and experiences, the organization hopes to show that communication is not limited to one career path or one type of student.
Click here to learn about more Comm Club events and opportunities!
Written by Hannah Treanor for COMMRC Connect