Philippine E-Journals

DEFINING COMMUNICATION: EXPLORING THE CONSTRUCTS AND DOMINANT CONCEPTS OF AB COMMUNICATION ALUMNI OF LETRAN CALAMBA

Kriszianine A. Capuyan | Trina Alyssa R. Maiquez | Juan Carlo M. Manas

 

Abstract:

This research explored the communication constructs of the ABCOM alumni of Letran Calamba. Specifically, the study 1) identified their communication constructs; 2) determined how the communication context in their program shaped these
constructs; and 3) analyzed how their work experiences and their learned constructs shaped their meaning of communication. Phenomenology and Constructivism were the theoretical underpinnings, and thematic analysis was the method employed in the study. The researchers invited 15 alumni key informants for interview. The research found two major constructs that emerged from the stories of the alumni, namely, that communication is mass media, and communication is spoken. From these arose three different communication contexts that occurred in the ABCOM program in the three different years: Class 2013 had been exposed to Mass Media and all its practices and principles; Class 2012, to field works, technical aspects of communication and film making; and Class 2011 or the pioneering class, to application of interpersonal communication. Four concepts that emerged from the combination of the learning and the work experiences of the ABCOM alumni were multitasking or flexibility, persuasion, ethics, and social competence. These concepts helped them to perform well and to adjust to their present careers. Hence, the alumni were able to contribute their learning to their present careers; the concepts that they used in their past and present jobs were less of the intellectual learning but more on the skills obtained. The researchers recommended that the Colegio provide separate degrees focusing on the fields of Mass Communication, Communication Arts, Multimedia Arts, and others.