My decision to be a journalism major was a fast one. I didn't really know what I wanted to do with it, and I didn't even really know if I would like it. I knew I liked National Geographic and the idea of writing for a magazine, but that's about it. I was a scared freshman getting into something that was way over my head. How was I supposed to know what I wanted to do with the rest of my life? Journalism sounds cool, right? We'll stick with that for now. Little did I know, it would soon become one of my passions that I could not fathom living without. I soon realized I liked the business side of journalism more than the writing side, and while it's slightly different I still take all the same journalism classes as the kids who want to write for newspapers and become broadcasters. We all know the struggles and the long nights of typing it brings, so here are just some of the things we have come to know as true.
1. I do not want to write for a newspaper.
I do not want to write for a newspaper. Some people might, but not everyone does. Newspapers may be a dying field, but journalism is not. Journalism is alive and well. So don't ask me what it's like to be going into a dying field either. Because I'm not. Newspapers aren't for everyone, and they definitely aren't for me.
2. I do not want to become a broadcaster.
Just the same as I said with newspapers. Not everyone who goes into journalism wants to be a broadcaster. Don't get me wrong, that would be extremely cool and is a well respected profession, but it's not for everyone. Also, there are only so many broadcasters in the world. There are so many more professions within the journalism field.
3. We don't all like writing in general.
I am on the business side of journalism. I like writing, but not enough to make it into a career. It's fun and it's a great way to get your foot in the door, but it's not for everyone. It is good to test the water though. Writing for a publication taught me I didn't want to write for a living.
4. AP style is a pain.
That huge spiral book is the backbone of my existence. I don't know what I would be doing without it. But, at the same I despise it with every bone in my body.
5. No, I cannot edit your paper.
I'm a journalism major not an English major. I know about as much grammar as you do. Maybe a little more. But not by much. I still hate grammar. Professors edit papers, journalists write papers.
6. Journalism is more than writing.
There is a whole side of journalism that no one really knows about, and it's fabulous. I want to manage social media and go into public relations, but no one ever thinks you can go into that with a journalism degree. You can do so much more with a journalism degree than journalism. It's like Mary Poppins' magic bag!
7. We all have favorite publications.
I would prefer to read the Huffington Post over the New York Times. That's just how it is. I like the way their articles are formatted, and I like their writers more. Everyone has their favorites, and it's fun to compare articles from different publications.
8. I live in the journalism building.
Schoonover is my second home. Everything I could ever possibly need is in that building. My advisor, all of my classes, there is even a vending machine for rations. The chairs are super comfortable, so I could hang there for hours.
9. Covering events is my homework, and it's awesome.
One of the unexpected perks of being a journalism major is that I get to cover sporting events, concerts, even foreign affairs speakers. Some are more fun than others, but it still blows my mind that I get to cover events for homework. Not to hate on the science and math majors (I can't deal with numbers for my life), but journalism is where it is at.
10. Journalism is a lot more than typing up a story.
If we are writing or doing something completely different, journalism is much more than typing up a story. We put thought and feeling into our work. And we love it when people notice. But that's besides the point. We put a lot into our work, and we love every second of it.
