From the moment you start ordering your university prospectuses, you’re asked by so many people “why that degree?” I was criticised for my decision to study journalism. Journalism is seen as a “doss” subject. A year into my three-year degree, I can officially defend journalism degrees as they are hard work.
I’d like to see people learning shorthand, going out into a big city at the age of 18 to find a story and report on it. Journalism is an amazing degree and I couldn’t be any more pleased with my decision. Every journalism degree is different, some focus more on broadcast, others print and some are specifically tailored to something like sports or travel.
Growing up
Since a very young age, I’d been on and off with what I wanted to do with my life, one year it would be nursing, the next I’d be dead set on journalism. It wasn’t until part way through AS that I really delved deep into the reading behind journalism. I was a huge fan of writing, I loved English Literature but I knew I wouldn’t be happy studying it for three-years, then having to spend my life around it. Journalism to me seemed like an excellent opportunity to work within the news, write and find the real me.
I was so set on studying journalism at university, I tried to get as much experience as I could and I fell in love with the course at the University of Sheffield. Their ABB standards were pretty make or break for me. I didn’t do terrible at AS but I was pushed back a lot as teachers would tell me there was no way I’d get an offer, let alone achieve the grades to get in.
I’m not sure if you’ve been in a similar position, but that was the most heartbreaking conversation of my life. For the very first time I felt useless and never leaving staying in my bedroom and locking the whole world out seemed like the only thing I could bring myself to do. At the time I absolutely hated my teachers for what they had said, but two years on, I’m so grateful. If they had not have made me feel so down, I probably wouldn’t be studying at my dream university and course. I wanted to prove everyone wrong and show that I was capable of achieving the same as everyone else.
Why Journalism?
I love how different every day is. One day you’re sat in a Public Admin lecture, then the next day you’re out reporting on sheep running around the city centre. It’s a lot of work, you have to be prepared for early mornings. It makes a journalism degree worth it though, it does prepare you for the real world. There’s no point sitting in lectures from nine to five every day when you really want to be out there, reporting on things and being a part of the community.
If anyone is thinking of going into journalism, please don’t look past a journalism degree. It saves you so much money! Forget about when people tell you to study English at undergraduate level then to study journalism at masters or go to a training centre. That way, you’re paying even more. Journalism degree all the way, you’ll thank yourself for it once you graduate and have your dream job.
What do you think? Why did you choose your specific degree? Have your say in the comments section below.
