<p>So, I came to Mizzou for the journalism school (because it's amazing), however, I am not sure I want to major in journalism any more (I love writing columns/opinion writing, but not so much news... and you can't really get a job out of college/an internship as a columnist/opinion writer). So, I kind of want to change to Poli Sci, plus, I could see myself being like a communications director for a campaign or something. But, I am still unsure. Maybe I want to stick with journalism? I am already taking the introductory journalism class which helps you to choose if you want to do journalism or not, but the class is pretty much a joke (everyone says it is). I am taking another journalism class next semester. </p>
<p>I could just change my major eventually, to poli sci lets say.... however, the political science school at mizzou isn't any good, and sense I am from Virginia, I see no reason to stay at Mizzou and pay out of state tuition, when i could go to UVA, Virginia Tech, etc. or a school near DC that has a better political science program for cheaper/convenience of being close to home. </p>
<p>Not to mention, I haven't met any people that I would consider very good friends. </p>
<p>I would love to be a columnist. I guess I just don't know if I want to earn my stripes for who knows how long as a reporter to become a columnist.</p>
<p>Are you a freshman? You can stick it out for the year and then decide (maybe go ahead and apply to a few Virginia schools just in case). A lot can change in the first year and you're likely to have much more clarity by, I would say, the middle of your second semester.</p>
<p>Most people wind up changing majors in college, and more than once. So picking a school based exclusively on that is never a good idea. If that was your reason for going to Mizzou, and you feel you'd be a better fit elsewhere, then consider transferring. But make sure that your reasons are more than just a shift in choice of major and proximity to home.</p>
<p>yea, the only difference was I really, really thought journalism was my thing (I've alraedy have two jobs in the field and did numerous workshops). </p>
<p>Other than a major change, saving money, and proximity to home, I guess I also would like to move back home because i haven't made many friends here, but also, the DC area is great for political jobs.</p>
<p>Haha, you drank the j-school kool-aid? If you wanna be a communications director, sticking through the j-school would probably be a good idea.</p>
<p>I'm doing a double major in journalism and political science. I've only had the intro polisci class that is required of all freshmans so far, but the professor (Horner) is pretty kick ass, and the polisci majors upperclassmen really seem to enjoy the program.</p>
<p>And yes, J1010 is a joke. What is even more of a joke is having to pay money for a computer to grade your paper.</p>
<p>Take intro to government next semester and your next journalism course. Intro courses can be very broad/basic. I wouldn't base your choice off one intro course. I know the feeling you have right now - you chose the journalism school with high expectations and the first course is lackluster, and you are questioning your situation. But trust me, it takes time. </p>
<p>How do you feel about the university in general? If you do not like the overall experience, I can definitely understand heading back to Virginia. But if only the journalism part is in question, give it some time. You will take courses that might steer you into another field. Also, if you do decided on a different major, say poli sci you could do a journalism minor. You don't need a journalism degree to become a column writer, but it surely won't hurt, espcially if you want to write someday.</p>
<p>I realize this is quite late, but I figured I’d offer my advice anyway, having been there myself.</p>
<p>Some things I would like to address off the bat:
First things first: J1010 sucks, but its VERY basic. When you are in your upper level j-classes, you will be begging for a “joke” class! Yes, it takes a while and a lot of patience to get into your sequence, but they do that to weed out people that aren’t serious, as well as to give you a good foundation for very challenging classes. Trust me, the J-School will live up to your expectations of a rigorous program if you give it a chance, so don’t doubt that for a second!
Sticking with journalism, particularly a journalism degree from Mizzou, is a great foot in the door to a career in op ed writing, as well as a career in communications direction. Even if you don’t intend to do news, it is a very valuable degree to have for either of your potential career goals.
On the flip side, it is definitely not the ONLY foot in the door. Poli sci is also a good way to go, but the fact of the matter is, you can’t walk out of college with a poli sci degree and think you’ll land a job or even a good internship right away. Obviously every degree needs to be augmented, but this is especially true for poli sci. You need to prove you have some practical skills, which you can learn through an internship, OR the route I suggest - double majoring, or majoring in journalism with a minor in poli sci. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
If you change your major, you’re right, transferring would make sense for financial and practical reasons. To be honest, this is part of why I stuck the J-school out - I realized switching would mean transferring. But transferring will not be easier by any means socially, so I would NOT transfer just because you don’t have many friends at Mizzou. It is even harder to make friends as a transfer student, not to mention adjust to a whole new university. Transferring is opening a whole new can of worms, so you have to be sure you think its worth it to ditch journalism altogether.</p>
<p>Having said all that, I suggest you stick out journalism. It’s a valuable degree and I think you will enjoy it more once you give it time. Not to mention, for me and others I know, there’s a lot of satisfaction in knowing you DID IT - you survived a top program. That has been a lot of my motivation. Don’t give up just yet. I would definitely recommend pursuing a Poli Sci double major or at least minor. If you want to go into something related to Poli Sci, you really need to augment with a more practical discipline as I said, especially in this economy. Journalism obviously makes sense for you. I would begin investigating the Strat Comm department, too - that sequence is more aligned with being working on a campaign, and I’ve heard its one of the easier sequences. My boyfriend is Poli Sci/Strat Comm and really enjoys it - you can PM me for faculty rec’s from him if you’d like.</p>
<p>I know what its like to get discouraged, but keep your chin up Most of your fellow j-schoolers are, too, even if they don’t show it!</p>
<p>This happens a lot. Some of my friends are in the pre-vet program at my school with me, but two of them have decided they just don’t want to do it anymore. They’re both transferring, though one is staying for fall semester since the hard pre-vet prereq classes wrecked her GPA.</p>
<p>If you’re not passionate about journalism anymore, you won’t be happy if you continue in that major. I’d suggest transferring.</p>
Most of your fellow j-schoolers are, too, even if they don’t show it!</p>