Information for Journalism Majors
So You Want to Work in Public Relations and Advertising?
You Can With A Journalism Degree from UMass.
Kerry L. O’Grady ‘06
First, some important information:
1. Journalism majors who wish to pursue a career in public relations and/or advertising should NOT consider switching to the Communication major. Communication is a more theory oriented major and will not fully prepare students wishing to go into P.R. or advertising. To be in P.R. or advertising, a student must be specifically trained in writing and the interview process. You gain these skills and many others through a degree in Journalism.
2. The most preconceived notion about the Journalism major is that all you do is “write,” and for people who want P.R. and advertising, the conception is “I shouldn’t be a Journalism major because I don’t want to be a writer.” First, P.R. and advertising are writing professions, just in a different way. You need to be able to write in a concise and clear manner and MUST be able to present yourself well on paper and in person. (This is where all that interviewing you get in the Journalism major comes in handy.)
So, you are a Journalism major who wants a career in P.R. or advertising; what do you do?
Choose your CLASSES Carefully
All journalism majors have to take Journalism 300, an advanced writing course, two of the five “menu” courses, and four elective courses, for a total of at least 26 credits. If you are planning a career in P.R. or advertising, you should be looking at the following sample schedules:
1. Newswriting and Reporting (300) Required
2. Journalism and Law (312) Menu.
3. Media Criticism (345) Menu.
4. Press and the Third World (310) Elective
5. Journalism Ethics Elective
6. The Advanced Writing requirement. Choose a course that is focused on writing about people or about society. Try to avoid choosing an advanced writing course specifically geared toward newspaper or magazine reporting.
Journ 393N, Writing Broadcast Narratives, is a good choice because you learn to write FOR people in this course. Broadcast writing is great for sharpening communication and public speaking skills. It also teaches you how to write concisely.
7. A Communication Course Elective
Choose a course from the Communication Department that focuses on communication theory, advertising, or P.R. that is applicable to your Journalism degree
8. A “New” or an Online Journalism Course Elective
Journalism at times will offer new and exciting courses, many of which are offered only once and never return or are specialized to various aspects of journalism. Other courses are available in the online program through Continuing Education. Choose one that is interesting to you and will be most helpful to your future endeavors.
(Total: 26 credits)
This is, of course, a sample schedule for concentrating in P.R. and/or advertising. Focus on courses relating to the theory of people, or learning about the way journalism works. The key here is simple: Any course relating to the study of people, technology, pop culture, or courses about the study OF journalism and specific aspects of journalism are good. Stick with courses like these, and you will be well on your way to a career in these fields.
Choose Your MINOR Carefully:
As a Journalism major, you are required to take 26 credits to finish the major, which gives ample time to concentrate on your minor, a requirement for your Journalism degree. In P.R. and advertising, your focus is people: you need to understand how to interact with them and relate to them, and understand what they are thinking, and what they want to hear from someone like you. Therefore, your minor should focus on these elements. With many other majors, minors can be used to satisfy personal interest. In the case of journalism, it is important to make your minor an asset to what you want to do in the future.
Here are some great “minor” choices for Journalism majors wishing to pursue P.R. and advertising:
- English
- Psychology
- Political Science
- Sociology
- Women’s Studies
- Any foreign language
- Information technology
- Middle Eastern Studies
- African American Studies
- Economics
- Judaic Studies
- Linguistics
Internships!
The most important element of the Journalism major other than your courses is an internship, especially if you want to work in P.R. or advertising. Go online to explore various internship options. There IS SO MUCH OPPORTUNITY for people interested in public relations and advertising to get a great internship. Any experience is great experience and ultimately, a company would love to see that you worked at an advertising agency or a radio or television station. It shows that you truly want to get your foot in the door in your field. There are also great resources on campus! Ask WMUA or The Collegian if they are hiring. They have great ways for you to get started in your career. Don’t let them pass you by!
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FAQs
Is Journalism the best major for me if I’m interested in public relations?
We think so. A recent graduate of Journalism who now has a successful career in public relations wrote a guide to Journalism for students interested in advertising and public relations.
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