Throw out whatever you thought you knew about the dorky high schoolers carrying around copies of the high school newspaper, yelling, "Extra! Extra! Read all about it!" In case you haven't noticed, Journalism majors are pretty cool. Yeah, we can be pretty dorky, but in all the best ways possible. Seriously, if you aren't besties with a J-schooler by now, you're really missing out!
1. At least one of you will be up to date on current events.
That feeling when you realize how painfully unaware of the world you've been all this time is actually eye-opening. We sometimes like to talk a bit about what's new in the news -- no, not because we want to remind you how much of an uninformed millennial you are for not reading the news; we genuinely hope to have a brief discussion about it.
2. We always have ample sheets of paper and writing utensils.
Note-taking, duh! Need to grab a blank piece of paper before class? We gotchu. We wouldn't be caught without a notebook full of pages and multiple pens and pencils because we know that running out of ink during the most crucial moments gives new definition to the word struggle.
3. You'll read more.
Chances are, your journalist BFF is already writing for some type of campus publication, which means you have to read all their work. Reading never hurt anyone, plus we appreciate your support!
4. We won't edit all your papers for you.
Instead, we'll tell you how to fix the mistakes you've made so you actually learn. How does that old saying go? Give a college student a fish, they'll eat for a day; teach them how to fish, they'll eat for the rest of the semester?
5. You'll question everything you read.
We've been trained to make sure that what we read and see online and in other places is accurate and provides the best information. We don't take half-assed stories for the whole truth, and you might learn to do the same.
6. You'll have someone who's good with a camera.
Of course, not all journalism majors enjoy photography, but we do learn how to use camera equipment. Great for when you want to pose for pictures or snap your new cover photo for Facebook!
7. You'll always know exactly what gift to get us for birthdays.
You're almost always safe with a journal (we need a stash of notebooks especially for interviewing sources for stories). Magazines are perfect gifts for our inner Miranda Priestly.
8. You have someone who's fearless.
Who else is going to approach strangers on campus to ask them questions for a story? Yep, no matter how painfully shy we might be, we tell ourselves to suck it up and just do it, which is exactly what we might tell you if you're ever unsure if you should do something! Needless to say, we're pretty hardcore. Can you keep up?
