<p>I am a first semester student at umd, and I am currently undecided. I really enjoy working with media, such as audio and video editing, and love producing film and music. I also enjoy writing, both creatively and academically. Right now I am considering either a major in journalism with a specialization in broadcast news, or a major in communications with a focus in public relations.</p>
<p>I do not necessarily want to become a journalist, and I would not like to be an anchor man or television reporter or anything like that. I would, however, be happy working with more of the technical side of video production, (writing, directing, producing, or editing). As I mentioned before, I enjoy working with producing media, such as video, and I am wondering if the broadcast journalism path would offer a good background in this. My reasoning for this major would be that it would provide me with experience in technical writing (which I could apply to many different fields), as well as experience in producing media, which might help me get into that business.</p>
<p>However, I'm not sure if the broadcast journalism major is not too specific, and not appropriate for my particular interests and career goals. Would something such as communications be a better choice of major? I'm worried that I won't be able to apply the journalism major to other careers as well as I think. The public relations track offers a similar courseload in technical writing and news reporting as does journalism, but without the media background. I'm still not completely clear on what communications actually is, and if it would help me at all.</p>
<p>I came across your post. Now you mention that you enjoy audio and video editing. " I really enjoy working with media, such as audio and video editing, and love producing film and music. I also enjoy writing, both creatively and academically." You might want to major in broadcast journalism at UMD. I know some former students who have graduated from the Philip Merrill College of Journalism last year and that are not interested in having a career in journalism. They are working behind the scenes as an audio editor, producer, or production assistant. Merrill College prepares students for that, if they do not want go into the journalism field. </p>
<p>However, the communication major does not prepare students for technical writing and it is mostly based on human communications such as public relations, media studies, social influence and communication studies. The courses that the major has does not reflect what you are looking for. You are correct that the public relations track offers COMM 231 and 232, which a news writing course in public relations and it is somewhat similar to JOUR 201 and 202, but it is geared towards a different audience. </p>
<p>You could try majoring in Broadcast News and minoring in creative writing. I do not know if this will help you. I suggest that you contact both the Department of Communications and the Philip Merrill College of Journalism as well as your adviser in the College of Letters and Sciences to discuss your interests. </p>
<p>Here are more information about the Department of Communications (Overview, Admission Requirements, and Course Offerings):</p>
<p>I suggest that you contact Josh Madden who an adviser for the journalism program. Call him at (301)-405 8814 or email him at <a href=“mailto:jmadden@jmail.umd.edu”>jmadden@jmail.umd.edu</a><a href=“if%20the%20email%20address%20does%20not%20work,%20email%20him%20at%20%5Bemail%5Djmadden@umd.edu%5B/email%5D%20.”>/email</a></p>
<p>I hope this helps you and if you have any questions please let me know.</p>