<p>My D has been accepted for journalism graduate school at Columbia as well at CUNY--an up and coming program-- with a scholarship. In terms of future job prospects ( yes, I know the field is in trouble these days) is it worth paying many thousands more for the "Ivy League" name and resources? She would love to stay in the NewYork area for her career. We have just paid full tuition for 4 years at another expensive school. My husband is retired and I will be also in the next 5 years.</p>
<p>Are you trying to decide whether to help her with grad school expenses? If so, I think that’s awfully generous of you. </p>
<p>My suggestion would be that Mom and Dad pay whatever costs less: tuition or NYC living expenses. Your D would be responsible for the other. </p>
<p>By the way, NEWSPAPERS are in trouble these days. Journalism, in general, is doing OK. The number of magazines, websites, and TV news shows is expanding. Those employers would hire the candidate with the most/best professional experience. So I’d suggest your D choose the school that offers the most internships or other opportunities. In journalism, a CUNY degree with experience would probably get a job offer before an Ivy degree with no experience.</p>
<p>It is an interesting field to spend money on.</p>
<p>I have a bachelor’s in journalism and I wouldn’t really think a masters is necessary, but I might be wrong. I will be interested in hearing what others have to say.</p>
<p>Back in my day, the contacts you made through internships were more valuable than most classroom instruction.</p>
<p>As an aside, many of my colleagues and associates who have had success in the field, actually didn’t have agrees in journalism, rather in other areas which made them marketable to media outlets (science, law, health care)</p>
<p>My D went to Northwestern, graduating in 2008 from Medill, arguably the best undergrad journalism school. She was offered a paid internship at a magazine for $10/hour in Manhattan (!). She tried to convince me that this was a great thing because 1/3 of her graduating class was taking UNPAID internships. She took it. We helped out (with some conditions). For the last year or so, she has had a real job at a magazine in Manhattan. Not well paying but enough to live in the city.</p>
<p>So, just understand, even at the very best school (Columbia fits that bill), getting a job in journalism is not going to make your child much money. People who eventually do well have clawed there way up (read: very motivated) or are entrepreneurial (a bit tenuous in print journalism these days)</p>
<p>That said, my daughter loves, loves, loves her job and realizes she is sacrificing a better salary for what she loves (in fact she lives with former classmates who were in finance and are making much more money than she. But she is working it out with them and is ok with it.)</p>
<p>Columbia will look better on a resume and probably give access to better internships. But if money is a serious issue, the IVY tuition may not be worth it. A better question is how motivated is your kid? That is what it will take to be successful in the field these days. It is possible but one is gonna have to start at a low rung on the ladder. Be sure your child is aware of this. Getting an MBA or even a law degree may be a way to a higher starting salary. Journalism should be a passion to make a career out of it. It can be done just gonna takes some lumps on the way.</p>
<p>rpg makes a valid point. Future income potential shouldn’t be a big factor in choosing a grad school. Assume from the get-go that all journalists earn middle-class wages, regardless of where the diploma comes from.</p>
<p>Internship/experience means more than any graduate degree when it comes to Journalism. I would not pay for private grad school in Journalism until my child had worked in the field for at least a year. That said, I don’t think you can go wrong with either Columbia or CUNY. CUNY is very “up-and-coming” and will provide access to NYC jobs equally.</p>
<p>Thanks, everyone, my daughter is very motivated and journalism is a passion for her although she is not terribly aggressive/assertive or entrepreneurial. She is willing to work her way up a ladder but does not have sharp elbows and just hopes she can get on a ladder at all. An MBA would not be in her line and I could not persuade her to apply to law schools either. I will pass on your comments to my daughter.</p>
<p>I would ask the CUNY journalism professors where their students work. That will give you a great idea of the possibilities. I would say the higher $$$ school might help with the first job, but in journalism everything will be experience and clips of work.</p>
<p>Wow, tough choice! Congrats to your daughter for her acceptances. Very impressive!</p>
<p>I work for a large magazine company in New York City. We tend to hire Columbia grads. At this point, CUNY’s program is not as well known because it is new. One thing to consider (or not) is that the Columbia program is two semesters, while CUNY’s is three. Basically, journalism is very much a “who you know” field. So Columbia’s prestige and connections would give your daughter a leg up. But the CUNY program is certainly a bargain. I think it’s $13,000 for all three semesters! Some of the instructors used to work at my company, and they’re highly qualified.</p>
<p>As far as the field goes, salaries are dreadful, and opportunities are drying up, sad to say. I don’t know what to tell the young kids who are interested in journalism. I guess they have to follow their passion and be flexible.</p>
<p>Went to Medill. Worked in the field, and still publish a lot, though not an employee, per se.</p>
<p>What I would say to my kid if they wanted to get into journalism? Hope you want to get into TV. </p>
<p>Still, if she wants to get the grad degree in J from Columbia the degree is a valuable one and can be used in many fields…Advertising, research, almost anything, to be honest. I wouldn’t spend my money on a J school less than top 5, though. Just because at least you can use it in something else.</p>
<p>I mean, in ten years I don’t even think there will be much print at all. ymmv</p>
<p>Journalism is a field of ‘who you know’. Columbia’s connections are considerable and, valuable. It’s hard and getting harder to break into the field. </p>
<p>That said, I would urge you to sit her down and tell her to sharpen those elbows. It’s not for shy or retiring types. I think it’s a great investment for careers in writing but, that’s not necessarily the same thing as journalism if that makes sense. </p>
<p>Recognize that the MS program is one which equips a person to be a general-assignment reporter not a specialized one in law, politics, business etc. The emphasis is on mastering the tools of the trade and storytelling. </p>
<p>Which MS focus does she have? I’d say New Media is worth it, newspapers less so - the others somewhere between. </p>
<p>I want to agree with what poetgrl said - it depends on the field and focus but, Berkeley, Columbia, Northwestern, NYU and Mizzou are worth shelling out $$ for. Others, not sure. Is that elitist? Maybe, probably. But, it is an elitist field almost as much so as law. The problem with J-salaries is that its practitioners are largely drawn from folks who see themselves in the public service/public-interest vein while management runs as a business. </p>
<p>Full disclosure: I once declined CSJ balking at its cost and got some field experience. Which convinced me the field was an interest but, not a passion. Still, I feel the need to get a masters eventually and, know that the network would have made my life easier.</p>
<p>With some pluck, a j-grad can make $25k-$50k out of school but, realize this is a lifestyle - not a paycheck. A more interesting life for lesser $ but, it also means being objective and, my soapbox is too big for that </p>
<p>If she’s serious about journalism, Columbia definitely is the place to go. It is revered in journalism circles, the training is excellent, and it attracts lots of recruiters. If one insists on entering journalism at this awful time where jobs are hard to come by, the field is rapidly changing to who knows what, and major media outlets are struggling, it’s important to go to only one of the best programs in the country, and Columbia is definitely regarded as one of the top 3.</p>
<p>I’m a former award-winning journalist, journalism prof, and former recruiter for a Fortune 500 media company. I’ve recruited at Columbia and known graduates and faculty there.</p>