Communications/Journalism degree vs English Degree

[Anonymous]

My dc is interested in journalism/broadcast journalism. Is it better to major in communications/journalism or a more broad degree like English and perhaps double major in something else? I know some schools do not have communication/journalism departments because they have a different philosophy. I know some people will say major in a STEM field, but while my dc is excellent in math not at all interested. I know they will have to be flexible if they go down this path and look for any career that requires good writing skills. My dc doesn't really understand why you would go to school and major in English. Any thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Journalists have all kinds of degrees. Look at various people's educational backgrounds on magazines and newspapers...it's all over the place. Lots of English and Comparative lit, various social sciences, the occasional hard science or econ major, etc. I think if that's what she really wants to do, getting internship experience and writing for her college's paper (especially if it is a highly regarded college paper) to make connections is going to be more important than what her degree is in.

[Anonymous]

I've been told that major outlets do not want to hire people with journalism degrees, they want people who have studied something. It can be anything as long as its substantive. Communications is a weak degree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My dc is interested in journalism/broadcast journalism. Is it better to major in communications/journalism or a more broad degree like English and perhaps double major in something else? I know some schools do not have communication/journalism departments because they have a different philosophy. I know some people will say major in a STEM field, but while my dc is excellent in math not at all interested. I know they will have to be flexible if they go down this path and look for any career that requires good writing skills. My dc doesn't really understand why you would go to school and major in English. Any thoughts?

My young cousin is hoping to find a similar program out of state. Young cousin has studied French for 10 years and interested in communications also and is really hoping to find this program at a college out of state. I think it's a great program.

http://www.american.edu/soc/interdisciplinary/degrees/BA-FLCM.cfm

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My dc is interested in journalism/broadcast journalism. Is it better to major in communications/journalism or a more broad degree like English and perhaps double major in something else? I know some schools do not have communication/journalism departments because they have a different philosophy. I know some people will say major in a STEM field, but while my dc is excellent in math not at all interested. I know they will have to be flexible if they go down this path and look for any career that requires good writing skills. My dc doesn't really understand why you would go to school and major in English. Any thoughts?

My young cousin is hoping to find a similar program out of state. Young cousin has studied French for 10 years and interested in communications also and is really hoping to find this program at a college out of state. I think it's a great program.

http://www.american.edu/soc/interdisciplinary/degrees/BA-FLCM.cfm

PP again. Here's a summer communications program at American you might be interested in for DC. You can board or commute.

http://www.american.edu/soc/discover/

[Anonymous]

OP here. That does look like an interesting program. I don't understand why people think Communication degrees are weak. I look on line at schools like Tufts, BU, BC, American, Cornell, Penn, and they all seem to have interesting communication/mass media departments. If these programs are weak, why do the schools have them? I appreciate the input because when you are looking online, these programs all seem like good spring boards for a career but I don't want to pay money for college and have employers snub the degree. I appreciate the different perspectives before my dc goes to college. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Does your child understand that these are highly competitive fields?

Broadcast journalism requires model good looks, is that his or her case?

Actual journalism is a dying field.

I would recommend neither to a young person.

[Anonymous]

As someone with a communications degree, let me recommend a business degree instead. Particularly marketing. Lots of overlap in required skills, but far more marketable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does your child understand that these are highly competitive fields?

Broadcast journalism requires model good looks, is that his or her case?

Actual journalism is a dying field.

I would recommend neither to a young person.

Not everyone in Broadcast Journalism works in front of the camera.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. That does look like an interesting program. I don't understand why people think Communication degrees are weak. I look on line at schools like Tufts, BU, BC, American, Cornell, Penn, and they all seem to have interesting communication/mass media departments. If these programs are weak, why do the schools have them? I appreciate the input because when you are looking online, these programs all seem like good spring boards for a career but I don't want to pay money for college and have employers snub the degree. I appreciate the different perspectives before my dc goes to college. Thanks!

If DC goes into journalism or broadcasting, try and get internships. It's competitive but the schools require internships so they are responsible for placement. And remember to look at all venues like Voice of America, Discovery Channel, etc. Research off the beaten path.

No need to discourage DC from their passion but do have a strong minor to fall back on just in case.

[Anonymous]

Just an FYI, but the police departments aren't looking for people with criminal justice degrees they would prefer ones with business management, accounting etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just an FYI, but the police departments aren't looking for people with criminal justice degrees they would prefer ones with business management, accounting etc.

Huh? Why?

And how many police officers actually have college degrees?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does your child understand that these are highly competitive fields?

Broadcast journalism requires model good looks, is that his or her case?

Actual journalism is a dying field.

I would recommend neither to a young person.

Not everyone in Broadcast Journalism works in front of the camera.

And not everyone who works in front of a camera has model good looks.

However, I do agree that journalism is a dying field.

[Anonymous]

Both DH and I graduated with Broadcast Journalism majors and joke that we would never let our child major in it. DH now works in a different field and while I still work in TV it's not a job I needed a Journalism major to get.

If your DC wants to work in TV the most important thing is work experience so he/she should intern as much as possible. If DC wants to be a writer then English isn't a bad major.

PP made a good point about having another speciality for these types of jobs. If DC has another passion (language, business, government, etc) suggest he/she majors in that then supplements with internships.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just an FYI, but the police departments aren't looking for people with criminal justice degrees they would prefer ones with business management, accounting etc.

Huh? Why?

And how many police officers actually have college degrees?

In DC you need 60 credits, not a degree but some course work.