I am currently a college sophomore at American University (in washington, dc). I came here intending to major in journalism but now I’m not quite as sure if that is what I want to do. Another interest I have is like branding/image for entitities (as opposed to individuals.) I am interested in the like promoting, online marketing, branding, planning, part of Public Relations. I am looking into PR but from what I read online it seems more like about crisis management and like fighting negative press and all that. Is there like job titles under PR that deal more with like helping with a companys website, its brand, promoting them with social media campaigns, writing its communications, managing its online presence, etc more so than like being the Katrina Pearson for Donald Trump? Haha thanks for any responses
I suggest you take classes in Marketing and Journalism, and settle on the one where you enjoy and excel in the classes, rather than based on potential career. I would also look at internship listings for jobs that lead to what you think would be an interesting career and see what majors they seek (and same advice, try classes in those majors).
I know you feel pressured to decide quickly. so look up those job listings, and take classes in one or more majors relevant, this spring. You may feel pressured to decide now, but in most colleges it’s OK to decide in next semester.
Also keep in mind, people tend to put too much emphasis on major. Lots of people end up working in a field
not that closely related to their major. Internships are more important to try out the field, and to make some connections.
I’d like to that, but with the requirements of either major, I have very little wiggle room to explore classes/majors without pushing my graduation back a semester and I can barely afford 4 years of college as is haha
Agree, you are talking about marketing and advertising - I work in that field. But you are in luck! We hire journalism majors. The writers are key to developing the story around the brand. My advice would be to keep with journalism and try to get an internship at an ad agency. Also, work with your colleges website, radio station, newspaper, whatever.
Public relations doesn’t have to be about crisis management - most PR outfits try to take a proactive approach to craft a positive image for a company or organization before they run into problems. But yes, it sounds like what you really want is marketing.
And blevine is right - your major won’t really matter as much as you think it will. Lots of people in marketing didn’t major in it in college.