As a journalism major, I have heard the same stereotypes over and over again. I am disappointed in the myths and lines that surround us future journalists.
"Journalism is dying."
Really, society? I hear this line so frequently I couldn't help but lead off with this common misconception of journalism. As long as events are happening in the world and someone is sharing the stories, journalism will never die. News is evolving, but it is definitely not dead. In fact, with a world now filled with social media and the ability to share information with a mass audience, reliable reporters and skills have never been more important.
"You won't make much money."
There's more to journalism than just how much money we make. We have a responsibility to society to produce reliable content. To me, that’s more important than a paycheck.
"You won’t find a job after college."
This one goes along with the money stereotype. No, we don’t have a job lined up from our junior year internship. However, there is more to journalism than just writing for a newspaper. You can be a social media reporter, digital content producer or a broadcaster. To my fellow journalism majors, don’t stress about finding a job because we will.
“Do you do any work in college?”
This stereotype reaches out to pretty much all communication majors. But, many journalism majors take a full course load, participate in an internship and write for a student or online publication. Sure, we aren't slaving away in a chemistry lab or buried up to our neck in English books, but that doesn't mean we don't have our own mountains to climb. Most other majors would gawk at the idea of writing a couple of thousand words a week, but for a journalism major it is just a normal week. We don't just sit in class and talk about what's going on in the world.
To my fellow journalism majors, stay intense, never forget about your deadlines, and stay on the hunt for the next big story. Stay addicted to checking your email and Twitter, and do not hesitate to correct everyone's grammar.
