<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>