If you’re wondering whether or not journalism is a good major, the answer is yes. This industry offers many opportunities, both in the short term and long term.
A lot of people don’t realize how many different types of jobs there are in the field of journalism, from reporting and writing to editing and producing.
Well, if you are getting ready to choose your college courses and don’t know what to pick yet, or maybe you’re in your senior year of high school with the hopes of going into this field, then yes: journalism is a great major.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the important reason why journalism is a good major and answer other questions surrounding journalism as a career.
What is a Journalism Major?
Journalism is a career that involves collecting, analyzing, and disseminating news and information. It is a profession that deals with reporting and interpreting events, issues, and people.
A journalism major typically studies the ethics of journalism, writing styles, and the format of various types of media such as television, radio, magazines, and newspapers.
Students studying journalism will learn how to gather information, write articles and develop stories, edit text and photos, and communicate their findings to the public.
Journalism majors can find employment in a variety of fields, from newspapers to magazines, television and radio stations, music companies, and Internet sites.
Journalism majors also have the opportunity to explore other career paths within the field such as public relations or advertising.
Reasons Why You Should Major in Journalism
1. Journalism keeps you up-to-date with current events & news
Whether it’s international affairs or local happenings, being an informed citizen is important. Journalism teaches students how to research and report current events in order to keep the public informed.
You’ll gain skills that can help you later in life when you need to find out about something quickly and accurately before making an important decision or taking action.
2. Journalism majors can get so many awesome internships while still in school
If you want to experience it before heading out into the real world, there are plenty of opportunities available within your school’s journalism department or through local news stations.
Most students at least get one internship during their college years that allows them to practice what they learned in class and build their resumes before graduating.
3. You can earn while you learn
Journalism is a great major to consider if you’re looking for a career that will allow you to make money while you learn. This is because there are many different jobs in journalism that pay well, and some of them can be done from anywhere.
You will have the opportunity to work on campus at a variety of student media outlets or even freelance from home and set your own hours.
4. Journalism is an exciting and entertaining profession
Journalists get to write about the most interesting things in the world: the latest news, current events, and human interest stories. They also get to interview people from all walks of life, from celebrities to politicians. This makes journalism a very exciting career choice.
5. Journalists have flexibility in where and how they work
As a Journalist, you have flexibility in where and how you work. You can choose between working as a reporter or editor, or even freelance writing.
The field is changing rapidly with the rise of digital media, so there are more opportunities than ever before for people who want to pursue this career.
6. People who major in journalism tend to have more career opportunities
Journalism majors have many career options available to them after graduation. This is because they are well-rounded professionals who can work in many industries or government agencies throughout their careers.
You could write for a newspaper, magazine, or website; work as an editor, write books or screenplays. You can even produce documentaries or videos, create public relations campaigns for companies or nonprofit organizations, etc.
7. Journalism is a very stable, recession-proof profession
Some people think that the economy affects all jobs equally, but this isn’t true in every case. When the economy is doing well, some industries do better than others and vice versa. W
hen times are tough for businesses, they’ll often lay off some employees or cut back their hours in order to save money until things improve again.
This doesn’t happen as much when it comes to journalism. This is because news reporting is needed no matter what type of economic conditions we’re experiencing at any given time. Therefore, the demand for journalists will always be there.
8. Working in news reporting gives you the ability to research any topic imaginable
If you’re passionate about politics, sports, or business, you can get paid to study those fields. As a journalist working in news reporting, you will have the ability to research any topic imaginable.
Therefore, are you interested in researching interesting topics affecting society either positively or negatively but don’t know where to start? A degree in journalism could be your ticket into this exciting field.
9. You meet interesting people and go places you would never have gone otherwise
Journalism as a major is not just about writing stories, it’s also about going places and doing things that most people will never get to do.
You get to travel, see different cultures and meet new people. And if this wasn’t enough, there are many careers within journalism other than writing like photography, video production, and social media management, to name a few.
10. Journalism encourages creativity which can be used when writing stories or features
As a journalist, you have an important role in society because you help keep people informed about current events and issues affecting them around the world.
This encourages you to use your creativity in writing stories to help others stay informed about what’s happening in their communities as well as across the globe.
Is the Job Outlook for Journalism Majors Good
No doubt when talking about the most popular majors, journalism is one of them. It’s also one of the most competitive.
Journalism majors have to write a lot, but they also get to travel, meet interesting people, and go places they would never have gone otherwise.
The job outlook for journalism majors is good, but not as good as it was 10 years ago. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs for reporters, news analysts, and journalists are expected to grow by about 6% between 2020 and 2030, which is slower than average for all careers.
The BLS predicts that on average, there will be about 54,000 new reporters, journalists, and news analysts jobs available over this period (5,400/year).
There will be a need for the replacement of workers who change jobs or retire from the labor force and this is where these employments will come from.
What Are the Important Skills You Need As a Journalism Major?
Writing
Great journalism majors know how to use proper grammar and punctuation while also developing strong vocabulary skills and using language that’s appropriate for the target audience they’re writing for.
Interviewing
Interviewing is an essential skill for journalists. It’s how you get your story, and it’s how you build relationships with the people who can help you with future stories.
A good journalist will be able to think on her/his feet and ask questions clearly, concisely, and accurately.
Researching
As well as writing stories yourself, you’ll probably have some responsibility for checking the content of other people’s work before it goes out into the world — whether they are valid or not.
You should have good research skills so that you can find facts quickly and accurately.
Reporting
The final part of a journalist’s work is getting it out to the intended audience. Reporting is an essential skill you must have as a journalist.
In fact, the success of your work depends on how you are able to communicate (report) to the public.
Photography
As Journalism majors, it is important you learn about photography techniques for capturing images that make compelling visuals for print or online media outlets.
FAQs
What do you need to become a Journalism Major?
The minimum education level you need to work as a journalism major for most media corporations is a bachelor’s degree in journalism or mass communication.
How long does it take to become a journalism major?
Generally, a bachelor’s degree in journalism takes four (4) years.
How much does a journalist earn?
According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, the average salary of analysts, reporters, and journalists per year as of May 2021 is $48,370.
The lowest 10 percent earned less than $29,210, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $120,590.
Conclusion: Is Journalism Major Worth It?
Journalism is a rewarding field and a good choice if you realize that you don’t want to wait years for your paycheck.
However, in the modern world of journalism, the average journalist is expected to not only be well-versed in the basics of “old” journalism (i.e. reporting and writing) but also in various branches of new media (blogging, podcasting, web editing, viral marketing, etc.)
Whatever path you choose after graduation will depend on what kind of job you want and how much money you want to make.
But since journalism majors are so versatile when it comes to their career opportunities, it shouldn’t be too difficult for you to find something that suits your needs perfectly.
I hope you found this article helpful. You should check out the degree pages of the website. There are helpful articles that will point you to what you can do with whatever degree you choose to pursue.
Thank you for reading.
