Support the CollegeCollege of Arts & Science & University Studies
Academic Advising
What Can I Do With a Major in Journalism?
Journalism involves both the study of the ways news organizations chronicle the events of the day and the practice of preparing news stories for a wide array of media platforms. Students who major in journalism at Miami take courses that provide both a conceptual framework for evaluating the quality of news coverage and a practical, hands-on understanding of what it takes to create that coverage for news organizations. Required cover the history of journalism, media criticism, media law and ethics, information-gathering, writing for a variety of media, and hands-on experience in print, audio, video and online media. Electives such as international reporting, media law and literary journalism, offer students opportunities to delve more deeply into areas that hold the most interest for them.
Interests
Those who major in journalism generally have a strong interest in news and its important role in our democratic society. Most also enjoy writing or working with audio, video, photography and/or web pages to share information in compelling ways that enhance our understanding of the world around us.
Competencies
- Communication
- Verbal/nonverbal
Writing for different media
Speaking
Interviewing
Listening
Informing/explaining
Influencing/persuading
Sizing up situations
Working with a variety of technology formats - Detailing/Organizing
- Working as part of a team
Working independently
Working under deadline
Making decisions - Researching/Analyzing
- Observing people/data/things
Fact-checking
Attending to accuracy and accountability
Analyzing and synthesizing information from multiple, sometimes contradictory sources
Evaluating ideas and structures
Planning
Organizing
Problem solving
Defining
Ability to reserve judgment while seeking truth - Creativity
- Generating story ideas
Designing projects
Adapting ideas
Adapting to needs of diverse publics
Opportunities - Careers
- News Organizations
- Writer
Newscaster
Multimedia journalist
Copy editor
Graphic artist
Graphic designer
Blogger
Photojournalist
Videographer/video journalist
Video editor
Newspaper editor
Website editor
News director
Sports director
Television news producer
Television news director
Floor manager
Educational television producer
Assignment editor
Critic
Technical writer
Columnist
News analyst
Copyright specialist
Print coordinator
Historian
Biographer
Literary agent
Booking agent
Traffic manager - Education
- Reporter
Educational writer
Teacher/professor
Student newspaper adviser - Government/Law
- Lawyer
Lobbyist
Mediator
Administrative assistant
Press secretary
Public information officer - Human Relations
- Community affairs administrator
Program coordinator
Public relations representative - Business/Industry
- Research analyst
Assistant buyer
Consultant
Sales representative
Business manager
Information specialist
Account coordinator
Customer service representative
Claims investigator
Advertising assistant
Management trainee
Marketing associate
Reservation agent
Employee relations staff
Personnel
Note: Some of the listed career options may require additional education and/or training beyond the bachelor's degree.
Opportunities - Graduate/Professional School
Students who major in journalism may go on to do graduate study or professional schooling in law, communication, education or other related fields.
Opportunities - Experiential
Most journalism majors work for student media organizations and complete internships at professional media organizations both during the school year and during summer breaks.
Sources of Additional Information
- Journalism Program (260 Bachelor Hall, 529-9303)
- * Curriculum Requirements
* Career Opportunities - Career Services (200 Hoyt Hall, 529-3831)
- * Career Resource Center
* Career Counseling
* Career Assistance Center
* Computerized Career Development Program
* Dictionary of Occupational Titles
* Occupational Outlook Handbook - Arts and Science Academic Advising (146 Upham Hall, 529-3031)
- * Miami Plan & College of Arts and Science Requirements
- * Course Selection
* Career Decision Making
Developed by the College of Arts and Science Advising Office and the academic departmental offices with adaptations from Liberal Arts and Sciences - Skills - Career Opportunities, Career Planning and Placement Office, University of Michigan.