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Journalism as a career?

tcaporaletcaporale Posts: 1,577
edited May 2010 in All Encompassing Trip
I'm a freshman in college, and pretty soon I'm going to be a sophomore.

I'm currently majoring in journalism, but all I hear recently about the field is how opportunities are shrinking. Is it a good idea, in these times, to pursue journalism as a career?
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • Digital TwilightDigital Twilight Posts: 5,642
    it's a good idea to pursue a career you are passionate about and love.

    Jobs in this field are always VERY competitive. If your just looking for any old job then consider another field otherwise give it a go. Just keep in mind it can take years of rejection and taking odd jobs.

    Good luck
  • musicismylife78musicismylife78 Posts: 6,116
    i majored in sociology. another one of those majors that people always stare at you about and say "so what are you gonna do with THAT?" I majored in sociology essentially because of the political part of it. finding a job in social work, teaching or counseling has been hard, as most of said places are all non profit and more geared towards volunteering rather than employment.

    i have had a hard 3 years since graduation, i had a job in a grocery store obviously something not related to my field of study. i quit that and have had zero luck trying to find something that was more my style.

    reguardless, i have no regrets about either majoring in sociology, a field that isnt about making big bucks, or quitting my job.

    ultimately, the question is, does journalism make you happy. and if the answer is yes, or maybe, i would go for it.

    my sense of who i am and what i need to do, is not nor will it ever be derived from what other people are doing. i am not other people, i am me. and if my heart tells me to do something, i do it. period. those who are scared to do something are really wasting their lives,

    in short, the question is, are you only into getting a major because you want financial stability, or because you want to do something with your life and chase a dream. if its the former, journalism may not be right for you if its the latter, go for it!
  • iamsam_pjiamsam_pj Posts: 300
    i think that you should go for it! but maybe think of adding a minor to your degree to help expand your job options after college. my best friend was a journalism major, spent college working at our paper, and was then able to get a couple of jobs at small local papers. it was definitely a competitive field, and she did feel as though she didn't have room to grow. but...she now works in public relations and is still able to utilize her degree and do what she loves. many companies need people to help to put together press releases and newsletters...you can still use your journalism skills in a different way.
  • Digital TwilightDigital Twilight Posts: 5,642
    Can someone explain what a major and a minor is? We don't have that in the UK, I can make an educated guess to be honest but i just wanna be clear.
  • orig_long redorig_long red Posts: 2,029
    Absolutely go for it. But be sure to intern at a newspaper; that experience is invaluable.

    I majored in journalism in college ... graduated this past fall ... during my last semester, I took on an internship at Queens newspaper without really thinking i had a real shot at a paying job in the industry. To my surprise, when the internship ended, they offered me a full time position as a reporter.

    There are jobs in journalism. You just have to be good enough for someone to think you are capable of working in the industry. The pay isn't good, I'm not gonna lie ... even experienced journalists are paid less than some janitors ... but if you love to write and you love excitement and unpredictability in work, then do it ... you'll get by on the meager wages.

    Intern at a newspaper the first chance you get ... and while interning, say yes to every assignment they give you.
    Jam out with your clam out.
  • tcaporaletcaporale Posts: 1,577
    Thanks for the advice, guys.

    I know that you should do what you like to do, but I'm still apprehensive about my opportunities after college. I know I'm sticking with it at least through next semester, so I'll be able to make sure if it's something I truly want to do.

    @ Digital Twilight: Your major determines what you will concentrate on in your studies. It prepares you to go on to work in the same field after college. If you have a minor in a particular subject it means that you are proficient enough to possibly go on to do something in that respective field after college, but without taking on the workload of majoring in the subject.
  • PearlOfAGirlPearlOfAGirl Posts: 15,993
    When you're doing something that you love for a job, it doesn't really feel like work... ;)

    Good Luck! :thumbup: I wish you all the best... :D

    Wish you were here...
    ♥~RIP Dad
  • xavier mcdanielxavier mcdaniel Somewhere in NYC Posts: 9,321
    long red wrote:
    Absolutely go for it. But be sure to intern at a newspaper; that experience is invaluable.

    I majored in journalism in college ... graduated this past fall ... during my last semester, I took on an internship at Queens newspaper without really thinking i had a real shot at a paying job in the industry. To my surprise, when the internship ended, they offered me a full time position as a reporter.

    There are jobs in journalism. You just have to be good enough for someone to think you are capable of working in the industry. The pay isn't good, I'm not gonna lie ... even experienced journalists are paid less than some janitors ... but if you love to write and you love excitement and unpredictability in work, then do it ... you'll get by on the meager wages.

    Intern at a newspaper the first chance you get ... and while interning, say yes to every assignment they give you.


    which paper in queens? I read the three free weeklies (Tribune, Courier and Chronicle) on a weekly basis and also work in the newspaper industry.
    Reading 2004
    Albany 2006 Camden 2006 E. Rutherford 2, 2006 Inglewood 2006,
    Chicago 2007
    Camden 2008 MSG 2008 MSG 2008 Hartford 2008.
    Seattle 2009 Seattle 2009 Philadelphia 2009,Philadelphia 2009 Philadelphia 2009
    Hartford 2010 MSG 2010 MSG 2010
    Toronto 2011,Toronto 2011
    Wrigley Field 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Philadelphia 2, 2013
    Philadelphia 1, 2016 Philadelphia 2 2016 New York 2016 New York 2016 Fenway 1, 2016
    Fenway 2, 2018
    MSG 2022
    St. Paul, 1, St. Paul 2 2023
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    Philadelphia 2024
    "I play good, hard-nosed basketball.
    Things happen in the game. Nothing you
    can do. I don't go and say,
    "I'm gonna beat this guy up."
  • mca47mca47 Posts: 13,301
    Not to be a Debbie-Downer, but here goes...

    I had tons of friends in college who were journalism majors. I'm pretty sure less than 10% of them actually work in journalism once graduated.

    It's ridiculously competitive, and sadly it's an every changing and in many ways (sadly) a "dying" profession.

    Seeing what my friends went through, and if you really want to stick with it...

    Get as much experience as you possibly can. College newspaper, news channel, internships, whore yourself out if you have to...because once you get your diploma you are going to battling at least 100 other people for any open position.
  • xavier mcdanielxavier mcdaniel Somewhere in NYC Posts: 9,321
    mca47 wrote:
    Not to be a Debbie-Downer, but here goes...

    I had tons of friends in college who were journalism majors. I'm pretty sure less than 10% of them actually work in journalism once graduated.

    It's ridiculously competitive, and sadly it's an every changing and in many ways (sadly) a "dying" profession.

    Seeing what my friends went through, and if you really want to stick with it...

    Get as much experience as you possibly can. College newspaper, news channel, internships, whore yourself out if you have to...because once you get your diploma you are going to battling at least 100 other people for any open position.

    In a lot of cases, you'll need to do something else and do it as a side job, unless you work for a really big outlet.
    Reading 2004
    Albany 2006 Camden 2006 E. Rutherford 2, 2006 Inglewood 2006,
    Chicago 2007
    Camden 2008 MSG 2008 MSG 2008 Hartford 2008.
    Seattle 2009 Seattle 2009 Philadelphia 2009,Philadelphia 2009 Philadelphia 2009
    Hartford 2010 MSG 2010 MSG 2010
    Toronto 2011,Toronto 2011
    Wrigley Field 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Philadelphia 2, 2013
    Philadelphia 1, 2016 Philadelphia 2 2016 New York 2016 New York 2016 Fenway 1, 2016
    Fenway 2, 2018
    MSG 2022
    St. Paul, 1, St. Paul 2 2023
    MSG 2024, MSG 2024
    Philadelphia 2024
    "I play good, hard-nosed basketball.
    Things happen in the game. Nothing you
    can do. I don't go and say,
    "I'm gonna beat this guy up."
  • orig_long redorig_long red Posts: 2,029
    xavier mcdaniel wrote:
    which paper in queens? I read the three free weeklies (Tribune, Courier and Chronicle) on a weekly basis and also work in the newspaper industry.

    I'm part of team Courier.
    Jam out with your clam out.
  • Ledbetterman10Ledbetterman10 Posts: 16,935
    My degree is in Journalism....and I now work in Human Services.
    2000: Camden 1, 2003: Philly, State College, Camden 1, MSG 2, Hershey, 2004: Reading, 2005: Philly, 2006: Camden 1, 2, East Rutherford 1, 2007: Lollapalooza, 2008: Camden 1, Washington D.C., MSG 1, 2, 2009: Philly 1, 2, 3, 4, 2010: Bristol, MSG 2, 2011: PJ20 1, 2, 2012: Made In America, 2013: Brooklyn 2, Philly 2, 2014: Denver, 2015: Global Citizen Festival, 2016: Philly 2, Fenway 1, 2018: Fenway 1, 2, 2021: Sea. Hear. Now. 2022: Camden, 2024: Philly 2

    Pearl Jam bootlegs:
    http://wegotshit.blogspot.com
  • xavier mcdanielxavier mcdaniel Somewhere in NYC Posts: 9,321
    long red wrote:
    xavier mcdaniel wrote:
    which paper in queens? I read the three free weeklies (Tribune, Courier and Chronicle) on a weekly basis and also work in the newspaper industry.

    I'm part of team Courier.


    cool, how do you like it?
    Reading 2004
    Albany 2006 Camden 2006 E. Rutherford 2, 2006 Inglewood 2006,
    Chicago 2007
    Camden 2008 MSG 2008 MSG 2008 Hartford 2008.
    Seattle 2009 Seattle 2009 Philadelphia 2009,Philadelphia 2009 Philadelphia 2009
    Hartford 2010 MSG 2010 MSG 2010
    Toronto 2011,Toronto 2011
    Wrigley Field 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Philadelphia 2, 2013
    Philadelphia 1, 2016 Philadelphia 2 2016 New York 2016 New York 2016 Fenway 1, 2016
    Fenway 2, 2018
    MSG 2022
    St. Paul, 1, St. Paul 2 2023
    MSG 2024, MSG 2024
    Philadelphia 2024
    "I play good, hard-nosed basketball.
    Things happen in the game. Nothing you
    can do. I don't go and say,
    "I'm gonna beat this guy up."
  • orig_long redorig_long red Posts: 2,029
    xavier mcdaniel wrote:
    long red wrote:
    xavier mcdaniel wrote:
    which paper in queens? I read the three free weeklies (Tribune, Courier and Chronicle) on a weekly basis and also work in the newspaper industry.

    I'm part of team Courier.


    cool, how do you like it?

    it's great when it's sports, dining reviews and actual reporting. it's frustrating when it's advertorial type crap. But you gotta do what's necessary to keep your job.
    Jam out with your clam out.
  • tcaporaletcaporale Posts: 1,577
    Yeah, I really enjoy writing, but I'm not sure if it's a smart career path to take. Next semester I'm taking a course devoted to news writing, so I'll see how that goes. I don't have a minor yet but if I did it would either be communications or economics. It might sound shallow but I would like some kind of career where I'm not struggling financially. Ideally I'd be writing something about music - whether that be news, reviews, live reports, what have you... but I also have to be realistic.
  • Thoughts_ArriveThoughts_Arrive Melbourne, Australia Posts: 15,165
    My degree is in Marketing but I couldn't get into that field, very hard, they all want experience.
    Adelaide 17/11/2009, Melbourne 20/11/2009, Sydney 22/11/2009, Melbourne (Big Day Out Festival) 24/01/2014
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