[bluelime]

Is it worth majoring in communications or journalism?

I enjoy reading and writing a lot, but I never had any journalism-experiences in high school because my school does not have a school newspaper.
I need to find out what I'm majoring first because I'll need to find schools that offer well-rounded curriculum/programs on what I want to major in.

I'm not good with math or (hardcore) science, so for my college major I am looking into communications or journalism. However, I want to know if it is worth majoring in communications or journalism?


All opinions, perspectives, and comments are welcomed!! ^^

Thanks. =)

[joonage]

I want to be a journalists too!

Well sorta. I want to be a sports journalist, but I read it's a tough road.

The average salary for Journalism is $30,000-$40,000 so it's not the best pay however, my Yearbook/Newspaper teacher said that Journalism isn't all about the pay but it's about satisfaction.

No matter how crappy our school paper (which is very crappy), I find satisfaction when I write a successful page.

I'm not sure if it's worth it. The satisfactions will be worth it, but the pay is a little low. However, if you keep persevering, you can get into the big time like New York Times, ESPN, Cosmopolitan etc.

Also prepare by taking some writing course. J-Schools focus on the core of writing and will throw a birrage of writing assignments.

[knickstorm]

ehh depends, print journalsim? tv journalism? i'm a broadcast major, done internships with a couple stations in NYC. From the people i've talked to while i interned it certainly doesnt hurt to major in journalsim but definitley double or minor in english or creative writing, something that'll help you become a writer which is definitely as important, I can get more detailed later, but it's a tough road but if it's what you want to do then give it a shot. Not as glamarous as you think, at least not when you start, but if you make it big then it's high pay, but high pressure as well. When i interned with CBS local in NYC, there was a guy who's sole job was to pour water for the anchors during the show.

[bluelime]

ehh depends, print journalsim? tv journalism? i'm a broadcast major, done internships with a couple stations in NYC. From the people i've talked to while i interned it certainly doesnt hurt to major in journalsim but definitley double or minor in english or creative writing, something that'll help you become a writer which is definitely as important, I can get more detailed later, but it's a tough road but if it's what you want to do then give it a shot. Not as glamarous as you think, at least not when you start, but if you make it big then it's high pay, but high pressure as well. When i interned with CBS local in NYC, there was a guy who's sole job was to pour water for the anchors during the show.

Thanks for the information. ^^
I'm leaning towards tv broadcasting or print journalism.
Are you double majoring? or minoring?

[chibifry]

I had/have the same dilemma as you.

After speaking to many people.. I decided not to major in journalism. Journalism is really fun (well for us it probably is) but it pays nothing. I mean getting a degree in journalism isnt really going to help unless your DEAD SET on being a journalist.

I think I will major in communications. I love the idea of journalism but I want to make money. A lot of business employers look for one particular thing : someone who can communicate well. Of course just because you major in communications doesnt mean you'll communicate well, but it will give you that edge. Also with communications you can go into many fields such as business marketing, advertising, journalism, public speaking, politcs whatever. I know tons of people who regret majoring in journalism because its harder to find a job with that degree. One of the teachers in my school that I interviewed majored in journalism and became a journalist. She got paid so little that she decided to become a teacher. Here in NYC, being a teacher means being paid a VERY low salary.

So yea, unless you become the next Barbara walters or some producer, you're going to be poooor.

[knickstorm]

Thanks for the information. ^^
I'm leaning towards tv broadcasting or print journalism.
Are you double majoring? or minoring?

i'm a dual major. Haha while i'm not as pessimistic as chibifry, if you wanna go into journalism for the money you should think again. If you want to do it because you like to tell stories, etc then i'd say go for it, and if you dont like it then switch up to something else. You dont have to be a huge celebrity journalist to get paid. All the anchors in big markets earn 6 figures if not close to that. As long as you work your way up to a top 50 market you should be getting descent money. When you start you'll be making peanuts but that's just the way it goes. I intern at sportsnet ny this summer, that mets channel that started in march, there's one asian guy who's on air, started off in a kennewick washington, population 60,000. Basically earned nothing, moved up to Tulsa Oklahoma soon after and now in his late 20's he's already made his way to NYC making a nice salary....so is it risky? yea sure but what isnt.

[atalamarche10]

What can you do as a communications major?
Chibifry said that businesses hire you to "communicate" for them?
So is it similar to public relations..??

[bluelime]

I had/have the same dilemma as you.

After speaking to many people.. I decided not to major in journalism. Journalism is really fun (well for us it probably is) but it pays nothing. I mean getting a degree in journalism isnt really going to help unless your DEAD SET on being a journalist.

I think I will major in communications. I love the idea of journalism but I want to make money. A lot of business employers look for one particular thing : someone who can communicate well. Of course just because you major in communications doesnt mean you'll communicate well, but it will give you that edge. Also with communications you can go into many fields such as business marketing, advertising, journalism, public speaking, politcs whatever. I know tons of people who regret majoring in journalism because its harder to find a job with that degree. One of the teachers in my school that I interviewed majored in journalism and became a journalist. She got paid so little that she decided to become a teacher. Here in NYC, being a teacher means being paid a VERY low salary.

So yea, unless you become the next Barbara walters or some producer, you're going to be poooor.

Do you plan to major in mass communications or telecommunications?

[chibifry]

What can you do as a communications major?
Chibifry said that businesses hire you to "communicate" for them?
So is it similar to public relations..??

No, I think you might have misinterpreted what I said.

Employers generally have same requirements for jobs. One of those requirements is to communicate well. Under the communications major, you can learn many things. The journalism major and communications major is actually quite different.

For example, at NYU :

Communication Studies in The Steinhardt School of Education is a broad program covering a range of communications topics. Students specialize in one of three areas: Mass Media and Communication, Speech and Interpersonal Communication, or Graphic Communication. Students can study journalism, public speaking, marketing, advertising, public relations, and a number of other areas, and participate in internships in a variety of fields.

The Journalism Department in the College of Arts and offers a major in Journalism, specifically General Assignment and Investigative Reporting with concentrations in writing and reporting, either print/online or broadcast, and media analysis and criticism. The program aims to equip its students with the expertise and experience to develop ideas and see them through to publication. In the process, they gain mastery in styles and formats from daily newswriting to narrative nonfiction, spot news to documentary.

bluelime - Just communications. Or Business. Or East Asian Studies. I haven't exactly decided yet.

[bluelime]

No, I think you might have misinterpreted what I said.

Employers generally have same requirements for jobs. One of those requirements is to communicate well. Under the communications major, you can learn many things. The journalism major and communications major is actually quite different.

For example, at NYU :

Communication Studies in The Steinhardt School of Education is a broad program covering a range of communications topics. Students specialize in one of three areas: Mass Media and Communication, Speech and Interpersonal Communication, or Graphic Communication. Students can study journalism, public speaking, marketing, advertising, public relations, and a number of other areas, and participate in internships in a variety of fields.

The Journalism Department in the College of Arts and offers a major in Journalism, specifically General Assignment and Investigative Reporting with concentrations in writing and reporting, either print/online or broadcast, and media analysis and criticism. The program aims to equip its students with the expertise and experience to develop ideas and see them through to publication. In the process, they gain mastery in styles and formats from daily newswriting to narrative nonfiction, spot news to documentary.

bluelime - Just communications. Or Business. Or East Asian Studies. I haven't exactly decided yet.

Are you studying in NYU Steinhardt or NYU CAS?
Can students switch from cas to steinhard after their first or second year in NYU?
(Because I know students usually can't transfer from CAS to Stern School of Business after their first or second year in NYU.)

[chibifry]

Are you studying in NYU Steinhardt or NYU CAS?
Can students switch from cas to steinhard after their first or second year in NYU?
(Because I know students usually can't transfer from CAS to Stern School of Business after their first or second year in NYU.)

Im not in NYU but I do know a lot about it because its my top choice.
You can transfer but its extremely hard.. almost impossible. Supposedly only the VERY top students can transfer. So basically I suppose its safe to assume that you can't.

I am still deciding whether to apply to CAS or Steinhardt. How about you? ^^

[Sky's Crying]

I'm interning right now at a magazine for the university of communications and marketing in the city i live in. You don't necessarily need to major in journalism in order to become a journalist...all it takes is a little initiative and some talent for writing and you could do some freelance work in the future.

Communications is a huuugeee range of subjects, as someone said above. Finding a job in the field however, is all about connections. My boss/mentor, who is the editor in chief for the magazine, said that she got a job immediately out of college for the OC register. BUT--the main reason was because she had some connections. So you'll want to do a lot of interning and networking while you can.

I was considering communications as my major as well, but all of my friends who are already in college keep telling me that it's the major someone chooses when they don't know what they want to do. And yes, now I don't know what I want to do. Law, perhaps.

[litoxshortaii]

Are you studying in NYU Steinhardt or NYU CAS?
Can students switch from cas to steinhard after their first or second year in NYU?
(Because I know students usually can't transfer from CAS to Stern School of Business after their first or second year in NYU.)

stern is known to be veryy hard to transfer into since it's the best (which makes it the most competitive) school at NYU. however, i dont think there's a problem with transfering to the other schools.. i actually think it might be easy to transfer to the other schools besides stern (correct me if im wrong) because CAS is pretty big compared to the other schools.

btw, ur posts really helped me chibifry. i was considering majoring in journalism or communications (along with some other unrelated majors) but im rethinking the journalism part now. i still have no idea what im gonna choose as a major but im an incoming senior so i still have some time.. meh, this whole college/career/REST OF UR LIFE thing is so

[knickstorm]

stern is known to be veryy hard to transfer into since it's the best (which makes it the most competitive) school at NYU. however, i dont think there's a problem with transfering to the other schools.. i actually think it might be easy to transfer to the other schools besides stern (correct me if im wrong) because CAS is pretty big compared to the other schools.

btw, ur posts really helped me chibifry. i was considering majoring in journalism or communications (along with some other unrelated majors) but im rethinking the journalism part now. i still have no idea what im gonna choose as a major but im an incoming senior so i still have some time.. meh, this whole college/career/REST OF UR LIFE thing is so

rethinking journalism!?!??!?! haha jk, but whatever it is you should like it. ANd plus college is so much more fun than hs, you'll see.

[bluelime]

Im not in NYU but I do know a lot about it because its my top choice.
You can transfer but its extremely hard.. almost impossible. Supposedly only the VERY top students can transfer. So basically I suppose its safe to assume that you can't.

I am still deciding whether to apply to CAS or Steinhardt. How about you? ^^

I'm most likely applying to CAS. ^^

[aRtzy*faRtzy]

I have friends in both. Depends exactly what you want to do in communications. But my friends in journalism have it down. One of my friends recently got an internship for E! channel. And another writes for 3 papers. Which do you like better?