Wondering whether you and a journalism degree are meant to be? Whether you have the right personality and strengths to attend IUB and pursue a career afterwards?
The field of journalism is evolving to coincide with the digital landscape, and numerous journalism programs are keeping pace. This willingness and drive to grow, learn, question, adapt, expand and emerge are also important for prospective journalism students and professionals.
Read on to find out other reasons why majoring in journalism might, for you, be a good fit.
1. You are naturally inquisitive. Some people are just naturally curious, and intent on getting to the bottom of things. If you won’t stop pressing until you get the full story, a career in journalism may be right for you. It takes a special kind of person to not only be inquisitive, but also have the ability to get information out of people who don’t want to give it up so easily. If, in addition to this, you are excited by research—the hunt for reputable primary, secondary and tertiary sources in search of the truth—you’ll likely be a successful journalist.
2. You like to travel. While not every journalism position requires, or enables, travel cross-country or overseas, a great deal do. Plus many journalism assignments involve that sense of exploration associated with taking a trip, even if you never board a plane. You will view your hometown and region in a completely new light. You might cover the local theatre scene and find yourself going to a play on a regular basis; or, you might find yourself in city hall or a courtroom covering a weekly beat. Walking through a neighborhood, you’ll begin to notice things you never noticed before because you will always be looking for that next story. If you love excitement, and aren’t afraid to try new things, you’ll likely be a good journalist. The world’s best journalists are people who are brave, unafraid, and greet every new person and culture they encounter with an open mind. If traveling a great deal for work excites you, maybe getting that journalism degree isn’t such a bad idea after all.
3. Telling people’s stories excites you. Do you like finding out what make’s a person tick, and peeling back their layers? Do you like to listen more than talking? Deriving pleasure from getting to the bottom of someone’s story, and retelling it eloquently, is at the heart of fine journalism. So, natural storytellers, think twice before you discount pursuing a career or degree in journalism.
