<p>DS is considering going into journalism (possibly photojournalism) as an eventual career. Recognizing that no major is offered per se, does anyone have an opinion on what Mac has to offer as a foundation for such a career?</p>
<p>Check out Mac's HMCS major (Humanities, Media and Cultural Studies). She could do that as a major with a focus on media or could just do the Media Studies minor in the department. My daughter tells me that there is a new professor in that department with special interest in new media. There is a News Writing and Reporting class each semester taught by 2 current or former Minn Star Trib reporters. She could supplement her Macalester studies with a course or two of her interest at nearby University of St Thomas (which I think does have a photojournalism class--it does have a true journalism major), as both schools are part of the Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities consortium (ACTC). A Mac student can take 1 class per semester at an ACTC school for no additional charge. Other good alternative majors at Mac for a background in journalism would be English, Linguistics, International Studies, Economics or Political Science, coupled with the Media Studies minor. (Although Mac has a great Studio Art department, they do not offer Photography--it has to be taken at one of the other schools.)
It's easy to write articles for the Mac Weekly or to become more involved on its Editorial Staff. Minneapolis/St Paul area is home to many authors and some book publishers that have internships; internships are also available at local papers. My daughter had a paid internship the summer after her freshman year at Mac with a Minnesota newspaper.</p>
<p>Masquemom. thanks for all the great ideas!</p>
<p>Two Macalester friends of mine have each had an over 30 year successful journalism career. Neither majored in journalism. What they did learn at Macalester - was how to write well, how to analyze issues and an openness and curiousity for a wide-range of topics. .</p>