Opinion: Communication graduates have the human skills the world needs most

A new SEEK study of New Zealand employers’ needs has confirmed what many already know – communication skills top the list of what employers want most. This includes teamwork, relationship–building, empathy and critical thinking – abilities that have dominated global employer wishlists for over a decade in reports from IBM, LinkedIn and the World Economic Forum.

Employers are clear about why. They can teach technical know–how – software, media platforms, data systems – but they can’t easily teach the skills that make people effective collaborators and leaders. As Hays Managing Director Shane Little recently noted, “These skills are anything but soft – they’re essential.”

That focus on human capability is exactly what a communication degree develops. At Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University, our research into communication graduates shows that studying how people connect, influence and build meaning isn’t just career–boosting – it’s life–changing.

Our 2025 survey of Bachelor of Communication alumni found that 97 per cent had been employed since graduation, and 85 per cent were working full–time. Nearly half were earning more than $100,000 annually. Yet when asked about what they valued most from their studies, the responses went far beyond employment.

Graduates described how communication training helped them become stronger critical thinkers, problem solvers and innovators. Three–quarters reported improved ability to analyse complex issues, question assumptions, and evaluate information – exactly the kind of reasoning that drives good decisions in any workplace. Almost half said their degree strengthened their ethical reflection and moral reasoning, helping them navigate social, cultural and professional challenges with integrity.

Many also spoke about the impact on their personal lives. They felt more confident communicating across cultures and contexts, better able to listen, empathise and adapt. They described becoming better parents, mentors, advocates and volunteers. In short, studying communication didn’t just prepare them for a job – it helped them understand people, purpose and connection.

These outcomes matter more than ever. As artificial intelligence takes on technical tasks, human creativity and emotional intelligence are becoming our greatest competitive advantage. Employers know this, which is why communication graduates stand out. They bring not only clarity and professionalism, but the ability to inspire, mediate and motivate – qualities that build strong teams and healthy communities.

Despite this, disciplines that foster these abilities are under increasing pressure. Curriculum reforms risk sidelining creative and humanities subjects, treating them as ‘add–ons’ rather than essential to innovation and social cohesion. But our evidence shows that communication education is foundational to both economic and cultural wellbeing.

When we neglect the human side of learning, we risk producing graduates who can use technology but struggle to connect meaningfully with others. When we invest in communication, we create graduates who can lead, collaborate and adapt in a world that needs those qualities more than ever.

As one graduate put it:

“Studying a Bachelor of Communication changed my life and opened me up to notice how the world works – from gatekeepers in the media through to politics. I no longer feel focused only on my own problems but on those around me and abroad. I know we have the power to change the world.”

That’s the power of communication – and why studying it isn’t just about learning how to speak or write. It’s about learning how to think, connect and create change.

Dr Elspeth Tilley is a Professor in Creative Communication in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.