8 Career Options in Journalism and Mass Communication

Journalism and Mass Communication is one of the fastest-growing industries, offering abundant job opportunities, wide exposure, better networking, valuable job roles, and much more. However, despite the advancements in technology and industry trends, many people remain unaware of the power and potential that a career in journalism or mass communication holds.

It extends beyond the realms of being a news reporter or a TV anchor. Did you know that with a journalism and mass communication degree, you can also build a successful career as a Radio Jockey? This industry thrives on creativity and logical reasoning, which explains the allure and impact media houses can have. If you’re a 2023 graduate or someone planning to study journalism, it’s wise to consider the job role that offers both high pay and fame. Nevertheless, to make an informed choice, it’s essential to understand each job role and its scope clearly. So, let’s delve into it.

News Anchor

Can you guess how much top Indian news anchors earn each year? It's approximately Rs 3-4 crore. Yes, this “seemingly less lucrative” job offers substantial compensation to news anchors. It's a significant achievement, and why not? After all, they become the face of an entire media house. Now, the question arises: How can students reach such heights in their media careers? The first step is to obtain a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.

Being a news anchor requires a range of skills, including teamwork, communication, verbal and written proficiency, and even a touch of humour. Yes, that's the secret behind these anchors going viral — they entertain while delivering the facts. Hence, a Bachelor's Degree alone may not suffice. It’s best to enrol in a Master's program as well. However, if you wish to kickstart your career before pursuing a Master's, you can begin as a reporter or writer. This approach will enable you to compete with most of your peers since you'll have both on-field experience and a degree.

Radio Jockey

Gone are the days when radio stations hired people with a good voice and the gift of the gab as radio jockeys. The market has changed and has become very competitive. You need to give your recruiters something extra to hire you. The best thing you can give them is creativity. Being a Radio Jockey is not easy, you need to find creativity in everything you see and hear. And no, it cannot be scripted. This is something you learn by constant practice. Generally, a Bachelor’s Degree is enough, but you need to build your skillset and participate in events before you go for an interview.

Public Relations Professionals

Public Relations Professionals manage the communication and image of a company or organisation. They play a vital role in shaping the brand image and reputation through effective communication strategies. The job requires strong speaking skills, as PR professionals often engage in direct conversations with clients and the public and frequently attend various events to represent their organisation.

Photojournalist

If you are passionate about clicking pictures and your pictures speak louder than words, you may be a perfect fit for the role of a photojournalist. Your work will include providing visual information for news reports. It entails capturing impactful and newsworthy images that effectively communicate the essence of a story. It is a fascinating profession that combines the art of photography with journalistic storytelling.

Broadcast Manager

This is the best job title in a Journalism career so far! Starting from script writing to video shooting, this job will expose you to every form of media where you can provide compelling content. Imagine, not a single day at work when you are bored! Apart from this, with a degree in Journalism, you can avail any job opportunities in your journalism career. These days, many digital marketing companies also demand journalism graduates.The other three most popular job roles are event managers, social media executives, and advertising managers. All these jobs are well-paid and popular. Most importantly, they all need journalistic skill sets. However, securing great jobs require an excellent education, and the quality of education can vary among different universities. Therefore, it is important that you carefully select the university that aligns with your specific needs and career goals.

Preparing for Journalism Career with Shoolini

Shoolini University, ranked No. 1 Private University in India by THE World University Rankings 2023 and QS World University Rankings 2024, has achieved this distinction by consistently prioritising and maintaining high standards across all courses and curricula. The School of Media and Mass Communications at Shoolini is widely recognised for its focus on theory-based knowledge and real-life training on campus.

Courses Offered by School of Media & Communications

• BA Journalism and Mass Communication
• BCA Gaming and Graphics
• MA Journalism & Mass Communication
• MBA in Communications Management
• MBA in Communications Management
• PhD Journalism
• PhD Mass Communication
• PhD Public Relations

Here’s what you will learn during the Journalism and Mass Communication courses:

• Current Affairs and General Knowledge
• Introduction to Reporting
• Fundamentals of Journalism
• Introduction to IT Tools
• Practical aspects of Electronic media
• Radio Journalism & Production
• Media Ethics and Laws
• TV Journalism & Communication
• Event Management of Public Relations

Moreover, Shoolini University offers early exposure to students through podcasts and newsletters, allowing them to build strong portfolios from the outset of their academic journey. Furthermore, the university emphasises the importance of connections and provides opportunities for students to engage with the professional world through events like meet-and-greet sessions with influencers and media personalities. Shoolini has a proactive Placement Cell that helps students find rewarding jobs in renowned media houses and PR companies.

Pursuing a Journalism or Mass Communication Degree at Shoolini University is an energetic and enriching experience, with students engaging deeply with their mentors through debate sessions, mock interviews, and other interactive activities. The university also offers internship programs at prestigious media houses like NDTV, Times of India, Hindustan Times. Additionally, the university organises a special skill development training program called SPRINT, where students receive training for interviews.

Final Statement

So, will your Journalism career take you to great heights of success and glory? Yes, you can achieve your aspirations with a top-ranked university like Shoolini and proper mentorship. Just focus on real-life training, internships, and networking, and one day you will be the face of a media house too.

 

Note: The views expressed in this article are of Shoolini University and do not reflect/represent those of Shiksha