5 answers
Nada
Student
3
Questions
Asked
750 views
Any good ideas for what to mojor or minor with journalism? It's my dream to study it but I want to have have something to fall back on.
I'm not really good at math or sciences but I would like to be able to find something that is somehow interlinked with english or journalism so I can maybe use both of them together to help me get a job since i've heard its hard to find one. Thanks in advance and any ideas are appreciated. #career #journalism #english #university #college #job
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5 answers
Emily Tucker
Digital Asset Librarian
3
Answers
Irvine, California
Updated
Emily’s Answer
Hi Nada,
I'd look into a degree in communications. It has skills you will use in many industries. My degree was in public relations, but I know depending on where you study there are options to focus in journalism or to do a minor in English. I loved communications, I enjoy working with people to an extent. Most people think it just means having to do a lot of public speaking, but while that at times can be true the degree itself is flexible. There are several concentrations, I believe typically ones working with media, public relations/ strategic communications, and journalism is typically another option. I'd look into your local collages options and do some digging to see what could be an option for you.
The one other thing I leave you with as you search is the best advice a mentor gave me in college, "learn as many "soft" skills as you can".
That meant yes, learning and excelling in the course material but additionally finding skills and situations that allowed me to show I could navigate a myriad of different experiences. This has helped me tremendously since I graduated. (Look here for a general overview- https://www.thebalancecareers.com/what-are-soft-skills-2060852)
I interned with my college as their first Public Relations Intern for their PR team on campus, I restarted PRSSA on campus (which is a widely known group in the industry, and the stepping stone to PRSA), I was able to organize a huge event where I designed the promotional material and decor (using my love for photography, and the things I learned in classes I took for fun like photoshop, illustrator, and video editing), and I ran a PR campaign with 40 students under my direction. I've owned my own photography business for 10 years, and worked for others in a studio environment. I wouldn't have been able to do any that had I not searched out and practiced my soft skills.
Lastly, I made it a personal challenge to be the best I could be in every situation. If I could get extra credit, I did it. If there was something that I thought would help me stand out in assignments, but might take a bit more work, I gave up sleep and made it happen.
You can do anything Nada, you got this!
I'd look into a degree in communications. It has skills you will use in many industries. My degree was in public relations, but I know depending on where you study there are options to focus in journalism or to do a minor in English. I loved communications, I enjoy working with people to an extent. Most people think it just means having to do a lot of public speaking, but while that at times can be true the degree itself is flexible. There are several concentrations, I believe typically ones working with media, public relations/ strategic communications, and journalism is typically another option. I'd look into your local collages options and do some digging to see what could be an option for you.
The one other thing I leave you with as you search is the best advice a mentor gave me in college, "learn as many "soft" skills as you can".
That meant yes, learning and excelling in the course material but additionally finding skills and situations that allowed me to show I could navigate a myriad of different experiences. This has helped me tremendously since I graduated. (Look here for a general overview- https://www.thebalancecareers.com/what-are-soft-skills-2060852)
I interned with my college as their first Public Relations Intern for their PR team on campus, I restarted PRSSA on campus (which is a widely known group in the industry, and the stepping stone to PRSA), I was able to organize a huge event where I designed the promotional material and decor (using my love for photography, and the things I learned in classes I took for fun like photoshop, illustrator, and video editing), and I ran a PR campaign with 40 students under my direction. I've owned my own photography business for 10 years, and worked for others in a studio environment. I wouldn't have been able to do any that had I not searched out and practiced my soft skills.
Lastly, I made it a personal challenge to be the best I could be in every situation. If I could get extra credit, I did it. If there was something that I thought would help me stand out in assignments, but might take a bit more work, I gave up sleep and made it happen.
You can do anything Nada, you got this!
Thank you! This helped so much
Nada
Gloria Ortiz
Instructional Designer
845
Answers
Irving, Texas
Updated
Gloria’s Answer
Hi Nada,
I started my college career with a major in journalism. I did not become a journalist. I am a writer in a different way, by using my communication skills to be both an instructor and then an instructional designer. In my mind, you could turn her attention to Education in some way, either secondary education or in the business world.
Gloria
I started my college career with a major in journalism. I did not become a journalist. I am a writer in a different way, by using my communication skills to be both an instructor and then an instructional designer. In my mind, you could turn her attention to Education in some way, either secondary education or in the business world.
Gloria
Grace Wood
Copywriter/Coordinator
1
Answer
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Grace’s Answer
Hi Nada! I think Emily gave a solid response so I will keep this short just to offer more options when you enter college. While I personally stayed within the creative fields (English major, journalism minor), I know that having a particular skill outside of journalism can make you a stronger candidate for both journalism positions and other jobs.
I started out as an intern at a startup incubator (an organization that gathers resources to support up and coming business owners). Although I don't have a business degree, just being there showed me that having an angle is valuable to journalism as a whole. With a business degree, you could more easily find jobs in that sector and have a leg up on your peers if you cover a local business beat. Another option could be education-- not only does this offer you a career path as a teacher/mentor/etc, but several local papers cover educational topics and send journalists to PTA meetings, etc. That brings me to final suggestion, Political Science. While this is a bit more nebulous than you might want, poli sci could help create connections with valuable future sources and even get you a few internships with local political campaigns. There is some math involved, but a lot of it has to do with statistics and probability, which are fantastic skills to have as a journalist. Plus, a more intimate understanding of politics (which can be quite convoluted) gives you an edge when it comes to covering those news-breaking stories.
I hope this helps and good luck at school!
I started out as an intern at a startup incubator (an organization that gathers resources to support up and coming business owners). Although I don't have a business degree, just being there showed me that having an angle is valuable to journalism as a whole. With a business degree, you could more easily find jobs in that sector and have a leg up on your peers if you cover a local business beat. Another option could be education-- not only does this offer you a career path as a teacher/mentor/etc, but several local papers cover educational topics and send journalists to PTA meetings, etc. That brings me to final suggestion, Political Science. While this is a bit more nebulous than you might want, poli sci could help create connections with valuable future sources and even get you a few internships with local political campaigns. There is some math involved, but a lot of it has to do with statistics and probability, which are fantastic skills to have as a journalist. Plus, a more intimate understanding of politics (which can be quite convoluted) gives you an edge when it comes to covering those news-breaking stories.
I hope this helps and good luck at school!
Thank you so much I will be sure to look into all of these!
Nada
Rebecca Tang
Banking
1816
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
I am glad to hear that you are interested in Journalism. If you are interested in Journalism, why don't you simply taking Journalism or Media as your major. There are universities offering these courses.
On the other hand, you could choose English Literature, Translation, Media (if they university offers Journalism course) as your minor.
You may explore which universities offering these courses and their ranking. The universities would provide the course details. Also, some of them may offer information session. You can take the opportunity to find out more details and speak to the professors (if there is opportunity). You could then shortlist a few universities that you would like to enrol. Hence, you can find out the entry criteria.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
On the other hand, you could choose English Literature, Translation, Media (if they university offers Journalism course) as your minor.
You may explore which universities offering these courses and their ranking. The universities would provide the course details. Also, some of them may offer information session. You can take the opportunity to find out more details and speak to the professors (if there is opportunity). You could then shortlist a few universities that you would like to enrol. Hence, you can find out the entry criteria.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Brian P. D. Hannon
Journalist / Former College English and History Teacher
38
Answers
Bangkok, Thailand
Updated
Brian P. D.’s Answer
Until you have decided what specific areas you want to cover as a journalist, the best thing to do is to take an array of courses that provide a broad education in all the subjects you find interesting. Politics, business, education, arts and culture, science, technology, and the judicial system are all topics that would benefit from entry-level classes. If you are interested in covering politics, for instance, take classes in government. If you want to report on business, take classes in math, economics, and basic business practices. If you want to specialize in coverage of the environment, take classes in biology, chemistry and geology.
Obviously, any sort of computer course will be extremely helpful now and in the future. This is not only helpful for reporting about technology, but simply for the purpose of understanding how to share stories in a society that is becoming increasingly reliant on computers and mobile technology for exchanging information. In addition to social media, learn how to work with content management and internet publishing platforms such as WordPress and GoogleDocs, as well as graphic design, web design, page layout, and digital video, audio and photography programs and apps including Adobe Photoshop and InDesign, GIMP, and all the standard Microsoft Office programs including Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Excel. Many software tutorials are posted as videos online at YouTube and other sources that can be located with a quick Google search, and there are numerous lists of helpful software for journalists that can be found online.
Be sure to study history, which is as wide open as journalism in terms of focusing on anything you may want to cover as a reporter. History courses will help you understand why the world is the way it is now and how it became that way. You cannot fully share and explain stories about current events with your readers, listeners, or viewers unless you understand the background of your stories and how those situations and events came to be. This could mean studying the history of different time periods – ancient, early modern, or modern history – as well as the history of different geographic regions, from the history of the United States, Europe or the Middle East right down to the history of your own city or town. Studying the history of social and protest movements and figures, such as the Suffragette and Civil Rights movements and Ghandi’s nonviolent protests, will provide a better understanding of modern advocacy and civil disobedience groups such as Black Lives Matter, Occupy Wall Street, and MeToo.
In a related area, courses that teach the basics of philosophy, including ethics, would be helpful in understanding the norms of a civil society and therefore provide a good foundation for responsible journalism.
Also, studying a language – any language that is not your own native language – will be an asset to you in future journalism jobs. The more people you can communicate with and understand, the more stories you can report.
Finally, learn how to type properly and not just peck at the keyboard with one or two fingers. The typing class I took in high school was one of the most valuable courses I ever had and still benefits my daily work as a journalist.
Obviously, any sort of computer course will be extremely helpful now and in the future. This is not only helpful for reporting about technology, but simply for the purpose of understanding how to share stories in a society that is becoming increasingly reliant on computers and mobile technology for exchanging information. In addition to social media, learn how to work with content management and internet publishing platforms such as WordPress and GoogleDocs, as well as graphic design, web design, page layout, and digital video, audio and photography programs and apps including Adobe Photoshop and InDesign, GIMP, and all the standard Microsoft Office programs including Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Excel. Many software tutorials are posted as videos online at YouTube and other sources that can be located with a quick Google search, and there are numerous lists of helpful software for journalists that can be found online.
Be sure to study history, which is as wide open as journalism in terms of focusing on anything you may want to cover as a reporter. History courses will help you understand why the world is the way it is now and how it became that way. You cannot fully share and explain stories about current events with your readers, listeners, or viewers unless you understand the background of your stories and how those situations and events came to be. This could mean studying the history of different time periods – ancient, early modern, or modern history – as well as the history of different geographic regions, from the history of the United States, Europe or the Middle East right down to the history of your own city or town. Studying the history of social and protest movements and figures, such as the Suffragette and Civil Rights movements and Ghandi’s nonviolent protests, will provide a better understanding of modern advocacy and civil disobedience groups such as Black Lives Matter, Occupy Wall Street, and MeToo.
In a related area, courses that teach the basics of philosophy, including ethics, would be helpful in understanding the norms of a civil society and therefore provide a good foundation for responsible journalism.
Also, studying a language – any language that is not your own native language – will be an asset to you in future journalism jobs. The more people you can communicate with and understand, the more stories you can report.
Finally, learn how to type properly and not just peck at the keyboard with one or two fingers. The typing class I took in high school was one of the most valuable courses I ever had and still benefits my daily work as a journalist.