<p>I know I want a career in television writing/producing or something similar. I really like the structure of small liberal arts colleges, and Barnard has been a dream school of mine for a while. But I’m concerned that I may do better at a school with a communications program to get where I need to go. I know that if I go to Barnard I want to major in something like political science, because I’m interested in it and because I want to be able to look for jobs in other fields if it doesn’t work out in the entertainment industry. My question is: does Barnard have classes I can take that will prepare me for this field? I looked at the film program, but saw that there wasn’t a minor option. Will I be able to take classes that focus on screenwriting and media? And most importantly: will graduating from Barnard make it harder to compete with people who went to schools like NYU or UNC and received communications degrees? </p>
<p>My daughter graduated from Barnard with a poli sci degree and works in broadcast media… but it wasn’t planned and she’s on the administrative end of things. Her first job out of college was more closely tied to her major. When she was looking for job #2, she was applying mostly for things along the same lines but saw a job listing seeking an administrative assistant at Well-Known-NYC-Production with Mr. Famous Personality. So she applied on a lark, figuring the job interview was an opportunity to meet Mr. Famous Personality. Kind of a surprise when she was offered the job - but she opted to take it, even though it was actually a cut in pay from her previous job. She was already thinking of grad school at the time, so it seemed like something interesting to do on the way. </p>
<p>That being said, she got a production credit on a major project earlier this year-- and she’s working in a capacity where she’s making all sorts of contacts if she wanted to shift to a more creative function. A year ago she worked extensively with a film crew and had a walk-on part in an indie film that wanted Mr. Famous Personality for a cameo role. She certainly has a very close view of the process involved. If you want to get in touch with Mr. Famous Personality you’ve pretty much got to go through her – and because D. is very sociable and personable, she gets to know the various people they work with pretty well. She’s been promoted and given several pay raises— so I think she would be in a better position to get involved in different aspects than some star-struck kid graduating with the right degree but no connections or experience. The entertainment industry is notoriously hard to get into. </p>
<p>As far as I can tell, the producers where my daughter works mostly have undergraduate degrees in English or literature. I didn’t find any with a degree in something career-related like journalism, though I can’t find educational history on many. (I’m figuring that the ones who have bios posted online that don’t list colleges either don’t have degrees, or have degrees that that they don’t feel are brag-worthy). </p>
<p>That being said, I’d suggest that you cast a wider net and apply to a range of colleges, including LAC’s like Barnard and colleges with majors more clearly focused on your career goals.</p>
<p>But be sure you understand what a “communications” major is about – my son has a work history that includes communications, but that’s more focused on p.r. and media relations,not media production. In other words, my son spent a lot of time writing press releases. Check this web site – > <a href=“Careers for a Communications Major”>http://collegelife.about.com/od/CollegeMajors/a/Careers-For-A-Communications-Major.htm</a> – is that what you want to do? </p>
<p>While my d. was at Barnard she worked for Barnard radio (WBAR) and took a course at Columbia in documentary film making. It didn’t occur to her at the time that either activity was in any way career-related. </p>
<p>That’s really helpful, thank you! I guess I realized you’re right, that sometimes experience and connections can matter more than the exact degree you got in terms of job opportunities. To answer your question about communications - my state’s flagship university has a bachelor’s degree in Mass Media Arts where you can concentrate on television/film production or screenwriting; another large school I’m interested in has Radio/Television. So I’m not looking at schools that only have traditional communications/journalism majors. I guess it would be a good idea to apply to some big and small schools and then decide once I’ve been accepted/rejected into all of them. </p>
<p>Gracie, by all means, definitely apply to the state flagship program – as well as the Radio/Television program. And Barnard. And any other colleges that look good to you. You might look at Media & Screen Studies at Northeastern as well, because the co-op program will help build the experience and connections that might be the difference between looking at a paying job vs. an internship when you graduate. </p>
<p>Things will change. You have a year of learning and growth ahead of you and your perspective as to what you want from your education is going to evolve between the start of your senior year and April. My daughter is the most level headed and forward-thinking person I have ever known, but even she changed her goals for graduate school between the time she applied during the fall at age 24, and spring when the acceptances rolled in. </p>
<p>You could also find that money is a determining factor. Maybe some programs are going to be affordable, and others will require you to take on a lot of debt. </p>
<p>Also, once you are accepted you can take a closer look at what each program requires in terms of coursework along the way. You may find that a degree that looks appealing in theory is not so attractive to you when you look at your likely schedule of coursework over the coming years. Obviously a LAC is more flexible than a career-focused program. </p>
<p>I have heard about that program at Northeastern! It sounds really good. And you’re absolutely right about things changing - a year ago I wanted to work in the hospitality industry, and then I got my first job in customer service and realized that is not what I want to do at all! I think I will try to apply to a wide range of schools. Thank you for your insight! </p>
<p>D2 was in film studies at Barnard and is now in film graduate school. Two very different experiences. The LAC education is great preparation and more importantly very broadening. It gives you the ideas, the “what”, that you might use in your art. The film school teaches technique, “the how.”</p>