3 answers
Tyler
Student
Mansfield, Texas
2
Questions
Updated
836 views
I am thinking about going in to media, what should I major in?
I am considering going into media for my major but I dont know what to major in..what my job might be...What jobs could I make good money at with a media major. I live in Texas so I am not sure what media jobs would be available for me. I am a freshman in college, started just a few days ago. I really like making and editing videos and stuff like that. #media
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3 answers
Stefania (Mandrin) Revelli, CCSP, CPRW
Editor/Marketing Professional/Career Coach
54
Answers
Skippack, Pennsylvania
Updated
Stefania’s Answer
Hi Tyler!
Media covers A LOT of ground these days, some usual suspects (production, editing as you state), journalism and publications, social media, online content and even animation. But it also comprises unusual and surprising spaces too. For instance, I spent years in broadcast media research, surprisingly an advertising division (someone has to help negotiate the costs of television advertisements with the networks who are running the ads). Media is vast and broad and if your college doesn't have a media-specific entity that you can look into to scope out coursework, etc, I would say your best bet would be Communications. Communications is a large umbrella and often in tandem with media type coursework.
As far as the type of work you'd like to do, this will require a bit of research and self-reflection on your part. Think about a few things such as: What are some of your natural skill sets? Are you good at detail spotting? Writing? Presenting? Teaching? Editing? You like spending time reading the news? Do you like making or editing videos? What is it about the idea of "media" or what elements are exciting and are making you lean that way? And if you could do anything, what would you WANT to do? That will change maybe greatly over the course of the next four years, and it's OK not to know now, but give yourself the chance to start dreaming big and getting a bit of clarity on not the JOBS you like to do or are good at, but the SKILLS of any job that you are good at.
I'd also start doing some online research on different types of media careers. Read articles, get informed. Later on in your college career, try and get involved in internships or even volunteering your time or some job shadowing if you see something interesting -- to get a feel for what a job might actually feel like.
I'd start there. You'll eventually start recognizing what types of environments are suited to you and which are not. Check back if you need more help or if you don't feel I've helped answer your question!
Best of luck to you!
Stefania
Media covers A LOT of ground these days, some usual suspects (production, editing as you state), journalism and publications, social media, online content and even animation. But it also comprises unusual and surprising spaces too. For instance, I spent years in broadcast media research, surprisingly an advertising division (someone has to help negotiate the costs of television advertisements with the networks who are running the ads). Media is vast and broad and if your college doesn't have a media-specific entity that you can look into to scope out coursework, etc, I would say your best bet would be Communications. Communications is a large umbrella and often in tandem with media type coursework.
As far as the type of work you'd like to do, this will require a bit of research and self-reflection on your part. Think about a few things such as: What are some of your natural skill sets? Are you good at detail spotting? Writing? Presenting? Teaching? Editing? You like spending time reading the news? Do you like making or editing videos? What is it about the idea of "media" or what elements are exciting and are making you lean that way? And if you could do anything, what would you WANT to do? That will change maybe greatly over the course of the next four years, and it's OK not to know now, but give yourself the chance to start dreaming big and getting a bit of clarity on not the JOBS you like to do or are good at, but the SKILLS of any job that you are good at.
I'd also start doing some online research on different types of media careers. Read articles, get informed. Later on in your college career, try and get involved in internships or even volunteering your time or some job shadowing if you see something interesting -- to get a feel for what a job might actually feel like.
I'd start there. You'll eventually start recognizing what types of environments are suited to you and which are not. Check back if you need more help or if you don't feel I've helped answer your question!
Best of luck to you!
Stefania
Denis Budniewski
Marketing and Advertising
9
Answers
Morristown, New Jersey
Updated
Denis’s Answer
Hi Tyler, As others have said, media is a broad area and there are tons of opportunities from production to buying to selling to content creation. Research the various area and try to determine what facets you like and or don't like to narrow things down. If you're interested in areas that require technical skills (like production), you'll need to pursue courses/training in those areas. But if it's more general, then any major in college will work. College is meant to teach you how to learn and in my opinion, what you major in isn't necessarily as important. Good luck!
Christina Berthaud
Global History Teacher
8
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Christina’s Answer
AMAZING!
Media is great! You have got to be tenacious and a go getter too, it can get competitive sometimes! You can major in mass communications to start and take some electives in a few diff media fields like broadcast, advertising, public relations, production etc. Trying a few things can really help you narrow down what specifically you may want to REALLY get into. There is so much you can do with media. Try some internships or apprenticeships if possible (maybe during the summer). Try to reach out to media outlets you're interested in and see if they will allow you to shadow in a department for a day to see a day in the life. I feel some of the best ways to figure out what you like or want to do is to see it in action.
Media is great! You have got to be tenacious and a go getter too, it can get competitive sometimes! You can major in mass communications to start and take some electives in a few diff media fields like broadcast, advertising, public relations, production etc. Trying a few things can really help you narrow down what specifically you may want to REALLY get into. There is so much you can do with media. Try some internships or apprenticeships if possible (maybe during the summer). Try to reach out to media outlets you're interested in and see if they will allow you to shadow in a department for a day to see a day in the life. I feel some of the best ways to figure out what you like or want to do is to see it in action.