No matter what path we choose as we leave Colorado Mesa University (CMU), there is no doubt that we want to be as prepared as possible for whatever comes next. Whether you are looking toward grad school applications or simply building up your resume after you graduate, getting a piece of your academic writing published is an amazing step in preparing for whatever the future holds.  

And while there are amazing opportunities for publication throughout every academic discipline, I want to highlight some of the best openings that students studying languages and mass communication might take in order to build up their portfolio.  

The Undergraduate Journal of Contemporary Issues and Media, published by the University of Utah is an amazing opportunity for mass communication students. The university advertises its journal as focused on the “issues that are relevant across global contexts, though some may be uniquely identified and experienced by individuals and groups.”  In short, it would be a wonderful place for students interested in global experiences to publish the works they have done that tackle themes and issues present internationally. 

However, it’s important to note that the application for the 2022 issue of this journal has recently closed, so this opportunity will be limited to students continuing to look for publication opportunities throughout this upcoming year. It’s a well-known and respected place to have your work published, but students interested in the University of Utah’s journal will have to play the long game if they are interested. 

If the work you do is more focused on the study of “theoretical literary discourse, international trends in literature, and comparisons of national literature,” then the Comparative Literature Undergraduate Journal, as published by the University of California, Berkeley, (UC Berkeley) might be an excellent place to seek publication.

While it is enticing to publish with such a well-established university, I believe that it would be a competitive and highly coveted spot if you were able to get into one of them. UC Berkeley won’t accept any plain articles, so be ready to prove your literary merit when submitting a piece! 

All of this being said, it would be impossible for me to list all the amazing opportunities undergraduates have for publication. If you are interested in finding a journal that specifically fits the type of work you specialize in as a student, the University of Notre Dame’s Flatley Center for Undergraduate Scholarly Engagement would be a wonderful place to start.

The University of Notre Dame created a vast collection of different journals and publications in which students can submit their work. What makes this collection of opportunities so fantastic for students is that it isn’t limited to students of language or mass communication; the University of Notre Dame’s collection highlights multiple opportunities for social sciences, humanities and S.T.E.M. students.  

So, no matter what track you are hoping to take after you get your diploma, getting your work published can be a fantastic stepping stone into helping you secure the path you choose.

And while the journals I highlighted primarily come from esteemed universities throughout the states, I want to close by saying that getting published in and of itself is an amazing feat! Don’t get caught up in the prestige of the journal you submit to; rather, do writing and research on your own passions and get published wherever and whenever possible!