<p>Hey guys!</p>
<p>All right…here’s the deal. I am OBSESSED with Penn and desperate to go there, but my major is communications. I’ve done research on the program at Penn and it seems too esoteric for what I’m looking for. I want to go into journalism or TV production…and the course listing just doesn’t look like I’d learn what I’d need to. </p>
<p>But I…LOVE…THIS…SCHOOL. And this comm thing is really bringing me down. </p>
<p>Can anyone shed some light on my dilemma? Did people with my career goals feel prepared for the job market after the comm program at Penn??</p>
<p>Honestly, the communications program at Penn is something of a punchline. Annenberg is a fantastic communications school at the graduate level, but the undergrad program leaves a lot to be desired.</p>
<p>What about Syracuse or Northwestern? </p>
<p>Don't go to a school that doesn't offer anything remotely close to waht you want to study. There are schools out there equally as great as Penn that offer communications!</p>
<p>so penn's undergrad communications isn't all that great after all? i want to go to penn and was planning on being a comm major.</p>
<p>While the program is theoretical, don't let that throw you. There are still plenty of journalistic opportunities available through campus...The Daily Pennsylvanian, Magazines, and internships are everywhere. If you want an opportunity to be a journalist or involved in the media, you have to jump on opportunities.</p>
<p>I was accepted into top journalism programs (both Syracuse and UNC-Chapel Hill) but turned them down for three reasons: Philadelphia, my comfort level at Penn, and because one never knows if they might not end up liking their intended major and have to switch. By going to Penn, if I find out that journalism/communication is not for me, I still have other great programs to choose from and will still walk away with a Penn degree. </p>
<p>Think wisely before you choose a school primarily for a certain program. This is not business or engineering, but the very unstable field of journalism. I hope that no matter what school you choose, I hope the program is not the number one reason and that your overall comfort level with the school or the strength of the overall academics of a particular school is.</p>
<p>I have a question- to the kids badmouthing penn's Comm program- are you comm majors? Have you ever taken a comm class and actually attempted to learn something from it?</p>
<p>Citygal- if you are looking for a really hands on practical major in a comm. field, Penn might not be the place for you- but that doesn't mean that major is a joke. You can get plenty of hands on experience in ECs like the Daily Pennsylvanian, 34th St, First Call, etc- as well as in other Comm fields with the radio stations (there's a student run one and an independent one), the TV station. Further, Penn's pretty good at finding internship opportunities for kids. One of my good friends (an English majors) was working at Maxim this summer & she had a blast & learned a lot. IMHO, you are probably best off learning by experience/internships in a lot of these fields, as doing so introduces you to people- and if there's one thing about the media businesses, it's that there is a lot of annoying nepotism & favoritism. </p>
<p>So yeah- Penn's comm major is not hands on, but it gives you a great research background and insight into the workings of most media firms. If you are hardset on a hands on major, you'd probably hate it. There are times when <em>I</em> hate it & wish I was somewhere with a music management or promotions major. But that has more to do with my own insecurities. :)</p>
<p>so muppetcoat, you're a comm major.</p>
<p>i didn't know that you were a comm major muppetcoat. What do you plan on doing with your degree?</p>
<p>How is Turow's intro class...what should I expect?</p>
<p>What do you think of the comm program overall?</p>
<p>Sorry, I'm just anxious.</p>
<p>My thoughts on the comm program: it's a nice theoretical program where you can really gain some insights on how the various media businesses are run & what regulations & research there is on media effects. The classes will really help you learn to do research, and how to create/present an argument. There's not a lot of hands-on experience, but there's ample places for that outside of class. You will have kids in some classes, particularly the intros, who are there to fullfill requirements because they expect it to be an easy A. Consider them your allies in helping you to the top of the curve. I really recommend Intro to PoliComm, Children & Media, & anything taught by Kathrine Sender.</p>
<p>My future goal is to own the nicest cardboard box in my alley.
I want to go into music promotion, preferably at a small label. I do a lot of volunteer work for Vanguard records, but I'd like to remain in or around Philly after I graduate, so it's a bit of an interesting job search.</p>
<p>As for Turow... do you know what the word "nebbish" means? The two intro classes were definitely my least favorites of the comm classes I've taken.</p>
<p>muppetcoat, did u choose penn because of the comm program?</p>
<p>No, I chose Penn because when I stepped on campus I felt home. :)</p>
<p>Penn was the school that had pretty much everything I wanted- not-southern city school with a campus, laid back but ubiquitous band, a theater community I could get involved in without being a major, & a strong academic environment that wasn't cut-throat. Also, I've always had a penchant for being the "underdog," so I like Penn's Inferiority complex. :)</p>
<p>theater community u can get involved in w/o being a major? perfect!!!</p>