Upon hearing that many journalism students are throwing in the towel in light of a shaky job market and low pay, I began to sit back and analyze why I’m still a journalism major. I like money just as much as the next person, yet I’m still here. I am one of those people that needs stability but yet I’m a journalism major.
I came up with a list of the top 7 reasons I’m still a journalism major, why I’m not giving up and why if you’re still in college (or just starting out), you shouldn’t either:
1. I will get paid to learn new things. With every article I write, I am exploring something I didn’t previously know, meeting people I wouldn’t have met otherwise and encountering circumstances I would have never known existed. Sure, the pay isn’t great but at least my life won’t be boring.
2. Because it’s up to us. We all know journalism is undergoing some monumental changes as it embraces the online world more and more. However, the future of journalism and where it’s going is largely going to be left up to us — college journalism students. Think of how major that responsibility is. Think of how inspiring that is. It’s up to us to help make journalism web savvy in way that our elders can’t even imagine.
3. You’ll have the opportunity to learn what makes us human more than any other profession. You’ll be there in some of the most important moments of people’s lives. Weddings, funerals, births, etc. You will be interviewing people on some of the best and worst days of their lives and will learn things about how people live and think in ways others can only imagine.
4. Because who doesn’t like to hold people accountable? If you’re doing your job right, you’ll be there to help investigate and stand up for the little guy. Corruption downtown? You’re on top of it. Politician not following through on promises? You’re calling him out on it.
5. You will get to meet some trying awesome, influential people. OK, this one is a little self-serving but let’s face it, you WILL get to meet a few of the people you see on TV or read about in the news and that being said you get to ask them all the things everybody else is wondering.
6. You’ll know some things before everyone else. OK, this one is ALSO self-serving, but you will hear of things before they become part of the public record.
7. It’s only just begun. I don’t prescribe to the theory that journalism is dead or dying (self-preservation, maybe?). It’s changing form and the opportunity exists for it to be better than ever.
You’ve touched on it in places, but more succinctly:
To save democracy.
That’s why I can’t leave.
Liked your post. I just started my first “real” journalism job post graduation, and it touches on a lot of why I’m still in the business. Yes, the pay is low, but this is an exciting time to be part of journalism. Someone has to help shape its future right? This should be an exciting time.
You’ve nailed it on every point, especially #2 and #7. Journalism is not dying, it’s changing. It always has, but now that is happening faster than ever. Web-savvy journalists will have a head start when the next demand cycle starts. I am 46 years old and have been a professional journalist for almost 20 years. I try to keep up with everything digital and 2.0 as much as I can, but it’s harder when you’ve grown up in an analog world, work 40 hours+ a week and have a family to feed. Anybody who is 25 or 20 years old, a digital native and aspiring to a journalist – go grab your chance. It’s out there.
P.S. I’ve stumbled upon this blog for the first time (thx to @suzanneyada) and I will hit the ”subscribe” button right now.
Emily – Nice one. I may sound like just another frantic journalist in denial, but I don’t think journalism is a sinking ship; I think it’s going through some rough waters, and whether or not you’re still hanging on when we come out the other side is all up to you. Happy sailing!
Hello there. I agree with all your points – they are what inspires me too.
I also just love to write. Always have done!
Here in the UK it is scary times for me as a student journalist – every other newspaper seems to be shrinking away.
Anyway – I hope all student journalists make it. I have started a blog just so I can say ‘I blog’ – http://jstj.wordpress.com/…it charts my journey through my journalism training – check it out. I’ll try and add you to my blog roll, if I can just work out how!
Just recently found your blog, then I got behind in my Google Reader and am just reading this now. Great list.
I think numbers 1 and 3 really hit it from a personal perspective. I’d add: Almost every time you talk to someone, you’re talking about something they’re very passionate about. Every day you get to bask in that reflection, and it keeps you passionate about something yourself.
Great post. I think you should be a traveling journalistic motivational speaker for the journos who are being affected emotionally by these tough times. Don’t give up!
I am a proud journalism major and I agree that 1 and 3 are equally up there. Less than 3 weeks into one of my first internships in the field, I found myself knowing more than I ever wanted to know about subjects I would never dream of exploring. I always love reading your thoughts and this posts definitely hits a little home.
Good post, Emily.
I can honestly say it’s not even crossed my mind to throw in the towel. I’m half way through a BA in Journalism at University of Sunderland and, for the first in a long time, have a passion and a purpose.
Nothing in this industry is boring and I’m only still learning. I’m so excited about the way journalism is going, online proliferation in the coming years and decades can only serve democracy well. Transparency is fast becoming the order of the day and those to hold account know that.
And…there’s that detail about being part of the only Constitutionally protected private business in the country, a business that every once in a while has to save democracy. I know that a lot of your friends are making more money doing stuff like marketing imitation hairballs for ceramic cats, but imagine how they will try to explain that, from their deathbed, to their grandchildren.
Добавлю в избранное, написано не плохо
Неплохая подборка в блоге, хорошо сделано, автору спс.
Хотел посоветоваться с уважаемой публикой! Меня интересует все статьи данной направленности. Есть у кого?
Изучая данный материал, наткнулся на интересную особенность. Далеко не все оценивают статью. Почему?
Предлагаю обсудить полученную выше информацию если хотите обменяемся почтой
Thank you for this. I am majoring in journalism and I am so tired of the apprehensive looks I get from people when I tell them my major, or worse, when they outright tell me that I should change my major. With the constant need for information people seem to have now, the idea that journalism is “dying” is so far-fetched. It’s just going through a transition because of new technologies available. I refuse to give up on journalism, even if it will be an uphill battle. I am from the eastern region of Tennessee, near the Appalachian Mountains. I am so good at climbing hills.