Web content manager 9. Most 21-year-olds don’t know yet. You don’t need a master’s degree to do it, and you won’t do it well until you haul yourself out of school and into a working newsroom. But then again, note that the decision to go back to school happens after you’ve already worked in the field for some time.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'careerigniter_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_4',109,'0','0'])); If you are inquisitive and have what is known in the journalism parlance as the “nose for news” then you can consider a career as a journalist. I would have hated most of that stuff when I was 21! With a master’s in journalism, you could lead a news or media organization from an editorial or executive role. For what? Editorial assistant 3. If you are a journalism major or a writer, don’t feel like you are “selling out” or heading to the “dark side” by accepting an online marketing job. Gain a theoretical and practical grounding in issues such as civics, governance, citizenship, the impact of new technologies, social media and new practices, including data journalism. Ask a few real live editors what they look for when they want to hire a new, entry-level person. But not journalism. It is not, in fact, about how to be a journalist. Publishing copy-editor/proofreader 8. Courses you took: No one cares. A bachelor’s degree will allow you to perform entry–level writing, copyediting, or analysis jobs in journalism. Inside the university, we see a student groupthink: “I must go to school for two more years after I get my bachelor’s degree, so I can get my master’s degree right away.”. You may also want to pursue an advanced degree in the field later on if you aspire for a higher position in a media organization and a master’s degree will make your application more competitive. Freelance writers, for example, can make as much as two dollars a word doing stories for national magazines, or as little $50 per story for an online site. However, it is important for you to do the proper research. The executive editor, or Editor-In-Chief, has a high level of responsibility within the news production team. You have to go out there and do the job. The program, which enables students to learn the same skills taught in the data journalism master’s program, is around $15,000 for 12 weeks. Depending on the kind of media outfit you are applying for, the employer may ask for a demo reel or a portfolio of articles to showcase your abilities. You won't need a specific journalism degree to be accepted onto a journalism Masters course, but you'll still need to demonstrate: And master’s-level coursework will help you learn how to do just that. Journalism is learned on the job, and if you’re not prepared to go out and do it after four years in undergrad, maybe you should just give up on it — and go to law school instead. I've been thinking about going back to school to obtain a degree in journalism, however I can't decide if a master's is necessary for my line of work. Public relations officer 6. As a result, the BLS doesn’t have reliable data for individual jobs in journalism, but the three charts below illustrate what salaries look like across the profession. Journalism is not rocket science. I know your mom and dad are pressuring you to go to grad school immediately after undergrad. In political campaigns, there is a strong need for good operations management. And they make pretty poor students too, because they HATE their classes. They usually put a premium on applicants who have interned at various media organizations and thus have a clear understanding of what the job entails. And guess what? Students often need to submit proof of a bachelor's degree in journalism or a related subject such as English, official transcripts, and letters of recommendation. NO ONE CARES out there in the world. Science writer 7. Home / Career Finder / Should I Get A Master’s Degree In Journalism? So if you are a fresh graduate who has just finished your bachelor’s degree and are deciding on whether to proceed with further studies or find a job, the latter would be the better option. Advertising copywriter 2. © 2020 CareerIgniter.com. Jobs directly related to your degree include: 1. Broadcast journalist 2. But this time, they’re wrong. A master’s degree in journalism helps you develop skills necessary to pursue careers as reporters, editors, or producers. But everything’s totally different when you’re 30 — my whole approach to school was different. And yes, my undergrad was print journalism.). The program duration is usually 1 to 2 years of full-time study. Working as a journalist is a popular job choice; be aware what experience and qualifications you need so you can beat the competition. A Master's of Journalism degree can involve study in a multitude of types of reporting, including Broadcast, Business, Science & Technology, and Digital Media journalism. If you have a particular area of journalism in mind after you graduate, for example if you want to become a political journalist, then you might also want to consider taking a joint degree – in this case Journalism and Politics. Masters in journalism Due to the competitive nature of the industry, employers may look favourably on candidates with a Masters in journalism. It takes a while to discover what you like in journalism. They might think they know, but give them five years and then ask them. Your GPA. There are many Universities which offer courses in Journalism and Mass Communication, but there are lesser universities which offer an MA program purely in Journalism. No one in any newsroom anywhere will EVER ask you what your grades were. Many would argue that you'd be better served by studying French language and culture while picking up the necessary journalism skills along the way. What’s not on the list? Journalism also requires further formal training after university. It’s often said that Columbia and Northwestern (which houses the Medill School of Journalism) have the best programs, but dozens of schools across the country offer graduate degrees in journalism, many of which are very well-respected. Print journalism– news and advice articles and columns usually printed in newspapers and magazines Photojournalism– news portrayed in powerful, intense photographs Broadcast journalism– news and advice giv… 1. If you do decide journalism school is right for you, there are a number of programs you can enter. You want to be a journalist or work in media production Journalism is not rocket science. I took six credits in computer animation, learned about guerrilla documentary video, studied human-computer interface design, and read British media studies scholars and French deconstructionists. That is, the kind of master’s program that is really a lot like the undergrad journalism programs. If they had, they would be hearing what I just told you: No one in a newsroom will value your master’s degree, and what’s more, there is no reward at all for having it. Is it enough to just get another bachelor's? Most people starting journalism careers are graduates but there are a few apprenticeships available too. At the higher level, MA/MSc journalism specializations include Broadcast, News, Magazine, International Journalism and Computational and Data Journalism. But if your undergrad is already in journalism, let me wise you up about grad school. Grad school programs in journalism and mass communication come in two flavors: the traditional scholarly program and the professional program. Masters in Journalism One major advantage of studying a master’s in journalism is that it’s not necessary to study journalism at the undergraduate level. Press sub-editor 7. If your undergrad is journalism, this is utter madness. Unless you DON’T want to be a journalist. Like medicine. For example, after you have worked in journalism for five or 10 years, you might actually know what you what to study next — maybe political science, sociology, criminology, database design, public health, international policy, or another subject area that would make you a better journalist in a specialization. Many reporters are entering the field with master's degrees, either in journalism or a specialized area of interest. When you are officially employed with a media organization, however, your “nose for news,” resourcefulness in finding your sources and skill in framing your report are all going to be developed further. 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