<p>After reading some CC threads about journalism a while ago, I noticed that most people look down on this career because it's difficult to make yourself stand out from the hoards of other journalists.
I also read that it's not advised to take journalism as a undergraduate major, just like "pre-law" isn't advised for those who want to study law. Is this so?
Is English a better choice?
What are the qualities that every journalist needs?
Are there people who should stay away from this career?
How much does the prestigiousness of the school matter?
Are connections more important?</p>
<p>Sorry for this bombardment of questions, but I'm really interested in journalism!</p>
<p>What's the difference between majoring in journalism or majoring in communications?
It depends on the school. Sometimes, there can be very little difference. Generally, however, a major in communication tends to focus more on the theories behind how people and societies communicate, rather than on "hands on" skills such as writing, interviewing, and editing. It is important to take a close look at the classes offered and the focus of the program when looking at a commmunications major. Some communications programs are focused more on preparing students to do graduate level work in communications theory than they are on preparing students to find jobs as journalists. Finally, keep in mind that it is not absolutely necessary to major in either journalism or communicatons if you want to work in journalism. Other majors - when combined with work in campus media or journalism-related internships - can also be a foundation for a career in journalism.</p>
<p>When looking at any journalism or communications program, there are a few important questions to ask to help you evaluate the program's quality and how well it will prepare you to find a job after graduation:</p>
<p>[ul][<em>]Is the curriculum emphasis on actual "real world" journalism skills or on communications theory (i.e., "mass communications")
[</em>]What percentage of the faculty has "real world" experience, i.e., they've actually been journalists or in communications? (You want a program where a higher percentage have experience and working knowledge, not just theoretical knowledge)
[<em>]What opportunities are there to work in on campus media? (At some schools, getting a reporter or editor position at the student newspaper or radio station can be very competitive)
[</em>]How up to date is the equipment in the program? (Esp. important if you are interested in broadcast journalism) Are the facilities adequate for the number of majors? (If you never get into use the facilities because they're tied up for grad students, they won't help you)
[<em>]How many opportunities are there for internships? How many students actually do internships? Is it realistic to combine an internship with the level of academic effort required? How do you get internships?
[</em>]What size are the classes? How much writing and editing do you actually do in the classes? How good are the professors at giving you feedback about your writing and editing?
[li]What is the career placement office like? Does the journalism program have its own career placement/advising program or do you go through the school's "general" career office? Where did last year's graduates end up working immediately after graduation? Where do alumni work?[/ul]</p>[/li]
<p>So, how do you track down good schools for journalism? Start by looking over the 140 colleges and universities that have programs accredited by The</a> Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications. </p>
<p>I promised a list of what I consider the best undergraduate journalism programs in the country. Here it is, in no particular order: University of Missouri-Columbia, Syracuse University, Northwestern University, University of Southern California, Boston University, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, New York University, University of Oregon, Indiana University, U of Maryland-College Park, Ithaca College, Emerson College, Washington and Lee University, U of Wisconsin-Madison, Pepperdine University, the University of South Dakota, the University of Georgia, the University of Florida, and the University of Texas-Austin. Other excellent journalism and communications programs include: Susquehanna University, Muhlenberg College, Loyola Marymount, Santa Clara University, Loyola University (Maryland), Simmons College, San Diego State University, Temple, American University, the University of Pennsylvania, Creighton University, Marquette University, Villanova University, and Ohio University.
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[quote]
As a former journalist and editor who hired reporters, I want to echo something Carolyn wrote deep into her story. You don't have to major in journalism to be a good reporter. In fact, I thought it sometimes was a detriment. I'll explain below.</p>
<p>A journalism minor or part-time work on a campus paper, radio or TV station while majoring in something else such as business, urban planning, government, etc. may provide a much better preparation to be a working journalist. I hired j-school grads who had the story formula down pat, but they had no perspective. They wrote formula stories that lacked depth. Over time I came to prefer people who had work experience in another field but also had a talent for writing. In my experience, they generally were better reporters. </p>
<p>So my advice differs slightly. I think you may be better off finding a school where you can minor in journalism while getting an education in another field that prepares you to know and understand how business, government, politics, etc. actually works. That way you'll know what is real news and not just pablum.
[/quote]
In regards to the second quote, I've been told that certain schools require a set number of courses outside journalism.</p>