Let me, the average college student, tell you what you already know. College is effing hard. It isn't easy work.
Then there is a major that stands out as one of the hardest, journalism.
Why is journalism hard? I'm glad you asked. Here I am to tell you six reasons why journalism is hard:
1. Associated Press style (AP style)
Imagine yourself back in elementary school learning how to write. Now fast forward to college to where professors tell you to write in a different style than what you learned back when you were just a kid. Confusing as all get out, isn't it?
2. Lots and lots of writing
Lots and lots of writing is done in journalism classes because written words are the basis of journalism.
From research papers and reporting assignments to newspaper articles and VO/SOTs (Voiceover/Sound On Tape) you will be writing, you pretty much spend a lot of time behind the screen of a laptop or a computer. It's a given.
3. Lots and lots of interviews
For all the news stories you do in the student newspaper and in your journalism classes, you must also conduct a lot of interviews to get quotes for your stories.
The kicker? Finding time to do those interviews while simultaneously taking five or more classes and working one or multiple part-time or full-time jobs is really difficult.
4. If you are an introvert, the existential dread that you aren't succeeding in journalism
I'm here to tell you, as a self-proclaimed introvert, you can succeed in journalism.
There are jobs in journalism where socialization is minimal such as coding web pages or doing public relations somewhere.
The professors tell you if you're not good at talking to people, you should probably switch majors and get out of journalism. This is the 21st century, where working in journalism is easier than ever!
5. The scathing criticism given to you and others by journalism professors
Let me tell you, journalism professors here can be absolutely ruthless sometimes when they give you criticism.
I had a broadcast journalism professor one time tell me "You need to seriously consider if journalism is the right major for you." Instant gut punch.
That same professor told me my story ideas sucked. I also have a friend who said that another professor told her "she was irritating and she should not email them again." #rude
6. Failing, failing, failing
Let me make one thing clear. You will fail at some point in your journalism student career. It's inevitable.
You get a name wrong. A fact wrong. Your punctuation and grammar are wrong. You have spotty VO/SOTs or bad packages (mainly broadcast journalism).
It happens and in order to keep surviving, you have to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and try, try, again. Perseverance is key to succeeding in not only journalism, but life as well.
However, let me tell you some benefits to being a journalism major as well:
1. The pride of having your name in a byline of a published article
I can't accurately describe the euphoria you feel when you see your name in a byline. It's a great feeling that makes you feel really happy and prideful.
When you repeatedly get published, the euphoria decreases, but you still feel pride over your article.
2. The ability to be in a career that is responsible for changing people's lives and to hear their stories
Whether you are interviewing a student or an elderly lady down the street, when your story gets published, other people see the stories they are telling, which could help them make their lives better.
3. The ability to be in a career you absolutely love
Some journalism jobs out there in society can actually be a little fun. From being a producer of a television news station to being a general assignment reporter for the local paper, you sometimes get to go to places you've never been to.
You also get to do things no one else does. There are people who absolutely hate their jobs. Honestly, journalism jobs are not those kind of jobs.
