What does Journalism as a career mean to a student?

Looking for a career in Journalism?

Are you dreaming of working as a reporter, editor or writer for magazines, newspapers and other media? In a Journalism program, students learn to gather, process and deliver all kinds of information and news, from celebrity gossip to the hard-hitting issues of the day. A diploma in Journalism might prepare you for a career as a news correspondent, columnist or freelance writer. Read more here!
What is a Diploma in Journalism?


Journalists strive to make all news, from politics and sports to fashion or medicine, available to the public. In a Journalism degree program, you'll learn research methods, interviewing techniques, different writing styles, ethics and the history of journalism, all to prepare you for a challenging and rewarding career as a journalist or related worker. Most aspiring journalists can find employment with only a bachelor's degree, but many institutions of higher learning offer master's or even Ph.D. degrees. With the research, fact-checking and writing skills you'll learn in a Journalism degree program, you might be ready to work as a news correspondent, a columnist or a freelance writer.

News Correspondent

Correspondents for written media gather news through a variety of means, from interviews to library research, for reporting while stationed in different U.S. or foreign cities. These workers typically have extensive reporting experience behind them, and are only promoted to the title of correspondent after proving their abilities and reliability in obtaining the best sources and the most accurate information. Correspondents typically are employed by large metropolitan newspapers and news magazines and might be stationed in such places as Paris, Tokyo or the Middle East. This profession may see slower growth than many others in the coming years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS),www.bls.gov, as newspapers and other printed media lose readers to the Internet. The median annual salary for reporters of all kinds was $31,320 in 2004.

Columnist

Newspaper and magazine writers who write regular columns in which they comment on or interpret news are called columnists. These writers might have a certain focus in their columns, such as national or local politics, travel or humor, and often develop dedicated readerships from which they may receive feedback, letters and ideas for columns. Like correspondents, columnists will probably see slower job growth than most other professionals through 2014, mostly due to the instability of the newspaper industry (BLS). Most workers in this field made between $22,000 and $48,000 in 2004.

Freelance Writer

Graduates of Journalism degree programs can use their writing, research and storytelling capabilities to work for different newspapers, magazines, journals and even web sites as freelance writers. Freelance writers typically either are contacted for an assignment or choose to pursue a particular story, which they then must market to potential publishers. Freelance writers enjoy a great deal of professional freedom, but often must spend as much or more time searching for buyers for their work as they do writing. Freelancers also need to have a high tolerance for financial instability if they decide to pursue the occupation full-time, or be prepared to hold down other employment in order to finance their writing. Writers of all kinds experience strong competition for jobs, according to the BLS, because many people are attracted to the business. The median salary for writers in book, periodical and newspaper publishing was $37,010 in 2004.

Read more http://education-portal.com/articles/Career_Information_for_a_Degree_in_Journalism.html



What is Photojournalism?
Photojournalism is the use of photography in order to tell a journalistic story. Undergraduate programs in photojournalism, most often in direct conjunction with the journalism department, are available at many U.S. colleges.

How to Select a Photojournalism School?
Students looking to pursue an undergraduate degree in photojournalism may want to consider the workshop opportunities offered by prospective colleges. Some schools offer intensive, week-long workshop programs directly through the university while others simply recommend nationally recognized programs. Similarly, some schools offer highly competitive photojournalism programs that students must apply to and be accepted by. Other schools offer less competitive, less demanding programs.

All public and private institutions offering degree programs in photojournalism teach the fundamentals of the trade and allow students access to the basic necessities of photography, such as computer labs and dark rooms. However, some schools place more emphasis than others on more specific areas of knowledge, such as distinct cameras and lenses, black and white photography, Photoshop and Apple color management. Some schools may place less intensive focus on the worlds of photography and journalism in order to spend more time on the fields of advertising and public relations.

While internships are not directly controlled or assigned by the university, they may become a factor when choosing a photojournalism school. Students may want to investigate the kinds of ties and connections prospective university professors have with local businesses and newspapers that offer internships of interest. It is generally recommended that students do not wait until graduation to pursue internships, so the student's university will have at least some effect in that area.

Students may also want to consider location when selecting schools. As a photojournalism student taking hundreds of pictures for assignments and projects, the surroundings and settings of the university may become just as important as the schools itself. Schools in major cities like New York or Boston will offer different visual opportunities than schools in Missouri or Indiana.

Program Overviews

Bachelor's Degree in Photojournalism
Undergraduate courses in photojournalism are typically designed for students with no camera experience and start at the very basics of the field. Classes include basic photography, news writing and reporting, photojournalism, photo editing and digital fundamentals. As classes progress, students will learn how to effectively communicate newsworthy stories through the visual medium of photography. Upon completion of a bachelor's degree program in photojournalism, students will leave with complete, advised portfolios of work.

Related articles to Schools with a Photojournalism Major: How to Choose?

·Photojournalism: How to Become a Photojournalist?
Photojournalism is the documentation of events or people, or anything really. It means capturing things on film, whether it's the change of light on an object or the latest developments in a military conflict. To make a living as a photojournalist, however, you need some technical and industry savvy training. This article offers information on both.

·Photojournalist: Job Outlook for the Photojournalism Career? Field
Ah, photography. The snap of the shutter, the winding of the film, the job competition... Despite the fact that photojournalism is nobody's ticket to riches, enough people are attracted by the creative lifestyle, unique challenges and freedom of a career in photojournalism to make job opportunities scarce. But don't be discouraged; there's still a place for talented individuals with a strong work ethic, good training, and the will to succeed. Learn more about career prospects in photojournalism here.

http://education-portal.com/articles/Schools_with_a_Photojournalism_Major_How_to_Choose.html

Why are internships important?

Internships for college students

There are many internship opportunities available for college students and a wide variety of resources available for the best places to find them. One of the best places to begin to searching for internships is with the Career Services Office at DU Placements. Career counselors can offer college students a variety of tips on places to find internships, especially if students are looking to work in a specific location or career field.
Since relevant work experience is one of the key qualifications companies look for when comparing candidates for a job or internship, completing several internships during college greatly increases the chances of being selected for a job after graduation. Even though college students learn the knowledge required for succeeding in a specific career through their college courses and curriculum, internships are one of the best ways to develop the required skills necessary to gain the experience required to be successful in the field.


Importance of internships

The importance for internships has grown over time as the competition has grown for good jobs. Most employers prefer students who have done atleast 2 internships during their college. This gives them the comfort that the students understand the culture and importance of work life.

In our survey conducted over 1000 companies, 85% said that they would prefer students with internships than other wise.

Divya

How to look for the right Internship?

Internships are many - find the one that suits you

Internships come in all shapes, forms and sizes. Some are paid and some are unpaid. Some last for a summer while others continue through the school year. Some internships are local, but others offer employment abroad. Internships are a stepping stone for a final placement.

Many people think internships are for MBA college students, but opportunities for graduate students exist as well. A graduate internship can open the doors to the working world, showing you what it's like to have a boss, attend meetings, and meet deadlines. Internships also introduce you to experienced people who can help guide you toward a career.

Real Deal: Environmental Organization

It was the end of his 12th class in high school, and Rahul needed something to do for the summer. He also wanted to earn a little money, so he visited his school career counselor for advice. The counselor suggested an internship with a local nonprofit environmental organization. Rahul had never worked in an office before, but he decided to try it. Today, he is still interning with the organization as a senior in high school. He even helped a friend get hired.

How to Start Your Search

How do you find the right internship for you? Start by answering these questions:

• What interests you? Do you like photography? Flying? Computers?
• What kind of internship do you seek? Do you want to work during the summer or the school year? Do you need to earn money or could you work for free?
• What you want out of an internship? If you're interested in the legal field, your search should start with law firms, not banana farms.

Use a Variety of Resources

Many resources exist for finding internships. Employers often advertise internship positions through schools. Ask your high school counselor or career coordinator about these opportunities. You might also find out about internships through a school club. And don't forget family and friends. You may want to know more about the accounting field, and your friend's accountant mom might welcome your help.

If there's a specific company or organization you'd like to work for, don't be afraid to inquire directly. Even if they've never had an intern, you might be able to convince them they need one by being clear about how you could help.

The Internet also provides a wealth of resources. Helpful sites include:

• www.duplacements.com
• www.internshipprograms.com
• www.internabroad.com
• www.idealist.org allows you to search for internships at nonprofits such as environmental groups
• www.volunteerinternational.org lists volunteer opportunities abroad.

Real Deal: Local Newspaper

Preeti wasn't sure she wanted to be a journalist. She liked writing for her high school newspaper, and the field seemed exciting, but she didn't know much about it. To help make up her mind, Preeti landed an internship at the local newspaper through her high school business club. Her job was to help out in the office, but she also convinced the editor to let her do some reporting.

To her surprise, the editor gave her an assignment right away: report on Friday's high school football game. Preeti wasn't really interested in football, so she spent the game interviewing parents of players. When she typed up her story, she realized she didn't even know the final score! That taught her to make sure she got all the facts, and during her junior and senior years, Preeti covered everything from rodeos to a local burglary.

As an intern in the office, she processed subscription checks, wrote classified ads, and worked in the pressroom stuffing advertising inserts into newspapers. She learned every aspect of the newspaper business and decided to major in journalism in college.

Evaluate Opportunities

To make sure you get the most out of your internship, ask lots of questions. Find out exactly what your duties will be, and who will help teach you the skills you want to learn. You can even ask to speak to previous interns about their experiences. All this preparation will ensure the internship you land is right for you.

Rahul thinks every student should try interning. "Go outside your boundaries, outside your neighborhood, do something you've never done before," he says. He also recommends building relationships with those who can teach new skills. "Find someone to learn from," says Rahul. That way, no matter what you do, your internship will be worthwhile.