Journalism: a dying art?
Editorial Board
Issue date: 9/2/09 Section: Opinion
Journalism jobs are dwindling as the years pass by, but that is no reason not to major in journalism.
The nice part about Western's journalism program is that there are three areas in which you can specialize : news-editorial, public relations or advertising.
Majoring in journalism does not mean you are going to be writing for a newspaper or magazine. Having three areas of study allows a student to choose a direction to a potential future job. Journalism is a major in which you can acquire jobs in many different fields, not just writing. The advertising industry will always have job openings as long as there are products to be sold.
The field of journalism allows a person to develop different skills used in everyday life. Skills in writing, speaking, investigating, working with deadlines and people, organization and communication will help students land a job.
Although these skills seem average as if most people should have them, in reality some are quite unique. Having a characteristic or skill better than another is sometimes the deciding factor in landing a job. What is important to remember is majoring in an area of study is one thing, but having the skills to do the job is another.
A large scare many students witnessed in 2008 dealt with the Chicago Tribune laying off many of their employees and filing for bankruptcy. Although the job market for journalists is low, this does not mean students should stop going into the field. With the economy being in the shape it is today, many college graduates are struggling to get jobs regardless of major.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate in the United States during August 2008 was 6.1 percent, and Western's enrollment rate for journalism majors dropped from 132 students in 2007 to 104 students in 2008.
Situations like these may be happening around the world, and what is important to remember is that the unemployment rate has been increasing, as the times have been changing. There is no knowing when our economy will turn around.
Choosing majors because of the amount of jobs is always something a college student is going to look into. In today's economy that would be a smart way to decide a major, however, the skills learned from a journalism major will help any college graduate land a job.
The nice part about Western's journalism program is that there are three areas in which you can specialize : news-editorial, public relations or advertising.
Majoring in journalism does not mean you are going to be writing for a newspaper or magazine. Having three areas of study allows a student to choose a direction to a potential future job. Journalism is a major in which you can acquire jobs in many different fields, not just writing. The advertising industry will always have job openings as long as there are products to be sold.
The field of journalism allows a person to develop different skills used in everyday life. Skills in writing, speaking, investigating, working with deadlines and people, organization and communication will help students land a job.
Although these skills seem average as if most people should have them, in reality some are quite unique. Having a characteristic or skill better than another is sometimes the deciding factor in landing a job. What is important to remember is majoring in an area of study is one thing, but having the skills to do the job is another.
A large scare many students witnessed in 2008 dealt with the Chicago Tribune laying off many of their employees and filing for bankruptcy. Although the job market for journalists is low, this does not mean students should stop going into the field. With the economy being in the shape it is today, many college graduates are struggling to get jobs regardless of major.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate in the United States during August 2008 was 6.1 percent, and Western's enrollment rate for journalism majors dropped from 132 students in 2007 to 104 students in 2008.
Situations like these may be happening around the world, and what is important to remember is that the unemployment rate has been increasing, as the times have been changing. There is no knowing when our economy will turn around.
Choosing majors because of the amount of jobs is always something a college student is going to look into. In today's economy that would be a smart way to decide a major, however, the skills learned from a journalism major will help any college graduate land a job.
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