Journalism is a great field to work in. However, not every journalism program is right for every student. In fact, some programs don’t prepare students for anything. In order to get the most from your education you need to choose a program with all the right elements. Here are a few tips for how to choose the right journalism program.
Consider the Field You Want to Pursue
The first thing you need to know is what field you want to work in. This is important because it allows you to choose a program and school that offers everything you’ll need to succeed. For example, if you want to go into television, you would want a program that offered courses that used cameras and dealt with on the scene reporting.
Seek Out Programs with Experienced Professors
There are journalism programs that are taught by professors with masters degrees in journalism and communications. While these professors can certainly offer instruction on writing great content, they often lack experience in the real world. Instead, you want to seek out programs taught by professors with first-hand experience. While the professors may not have masters degrees or even degrees in journalism, their experience far outweighs the education of the other professors. These professors have worked in radio, TV and many are still active in the field. Best of all, these professors have connections with local media outlets, which may be of use to students after completing the program.
Choose Programs That Teach the Latest Methods
Radio, newspapers and television still offer great journalism, but these sources of information are beginning to fizzle. Online journalism is one of the fastest growing forms of information for the masses. In fact, more people get the latest headlines from the internet than newspapers. This has actually caused a steep decline in newspaper journalism jobs due to the fact that advertizes are now spending most of their money on internet based ads. That’s why you must find a program that focuses on the latest forms of media. Without proper education in these fields, you may find yourself looking for work for a long, long time.
Opt for Programs with Hands on Assignments
It’s not enough to read textbooks and listen to lectures. A good journalism program will give students hands on assignments to complete. This may mean covering a local topic of interest or seeking out a story on your own. Regardless of how the assignments are given, it’s imperative to get outside the classroom so that you can get the best education. More importantly, these hands on assignments should allow you access to the latest equipment to complete your work.
Journalism programs vary from school to school, but finding the right program is essential for success. This means finding a school that matches your desired field, seeking out programs taught by experienced professors, choosing programs that teach the latest methods and opting for programs with hands on assignments. The right program can mean the difference between being able to succeed straight out of school or feeling lost after the program is complete.
About the Author: Giovanna Dawe is an aspiring journalist who is looking to relocate to Texas to continue her education. She is searching for cheap San Antonio apartments near her college campus and will be interning at a local news agency in the fall.
