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Major Related Resources School of Journalism Resources School of Journalism | Description of MajorThe journalism major is chosen by students interested in careers in a range of media: newspapers, magazines, broadcasting, photojournalism, graphic communication, public relations, advertising, online work. The major also includes courses for those who plan to teach high school journalism.Skills & Knowledge Developed in this Field of StudyJournalism classes provide a mix of practical skills and the study of issues in the field. The golas of the curriculum include: 1) to help students develop skills in thinking and judgment and in gathering, organizing and presenting information on paper, online and on the air, 2) to graduate students with both visual and verbal literacy and the flexibility to respond to changing media environments, and 3) to promote the professional values of truth, accuracy and fairness. The major consists of a core set of courses complemented by electives. Students may choose to focus on a particular area of media study (i.e., magazines or broadcasting) or they may generalize by taking courses in several areas.Minors and Second Majors that Expand Career Options with this MajorBusiness, English, fine arts, history, political science, psychology, public and environmental affairs, sociology, Spanish and other foreign languages.Career OptionsCareers Specific to the Bachelor's DegreeAdvertising account executive, advertising creative positions, magazine copy editor, magazine staff writer, editorial assistant, television reporter, television producer, television assignment desk, television video photographer, television anchor, television writer/researcher, wire service reporter/editor, graphic designer, art director, photo-journalist, on-line journalist, web designer/webmaster, radio reporter, radio producer, manager of a variety of media organizations or businesses, newspaper reporter, newspaper copy editor, newspaper editor.Other Career Possibilities with a Bachelor's DegreeBusiness marketing representative, secondary level teacher.Careers that Normally Require a Graduate DegreeAs a rule, careers related to journalism do not require a graduate degree. However, journalism is often an undergraduate degree chosen by students planning to attend law school and other graduate programs.Employment OpportunitiesJob OutlookJournalism related jobs are available on an as-needed basis and while competition is always intense, alumni do well in finding positions after graduation. The Journalism Placement Office provides resources and information to assist students with job searches because media organizations do not recruit heavily on campus.Salary InformationSalaries very widely, based on such factors as size of the company and the geographic location. A starting salary at a small newspaper may be $25,000 to $30,000, while at a metropolitan newspaper it could be $32,000 to $38,000. An average starting salary in an advertising or public relations agency could be from $28,000 to $32,000. Starting salaries at television stations are among the lowest. It is not uncommon to start as low as $20,000.Potential Career GrowthSome people prefer to spend their careers in creative positions such as writers or editors, while others progress into media management or perhaps start their own venture. Thus, career growth varies widely based on interests, talent, creativity, and initiative.Placement Statistics for IU Graduates with this MajorThe School of Journalism conducts an annual survey of alumni, from which they usually get a 35 percent response rate. Of those who respond, typically less than 2 percent are unemployed. Some examples of places where 2002-2003 alumni are employed are: WDRV-FM, Chicago; WSB-TV, Atlanta; WTHI-TV, Terre Haute, Ind.; The Houston Chronicle; The Washington Post; The Indianapolis Star; Ketchum Public Relations, Chicago; Bacon's Information Public Relations, Chciago; The Oprah Magazine, New York City; Harper's Bazaar, New York City.High School PreparationIn additon to meeting the general admissions for Indiana University, it is recommended that students take a wide selection of academic courses. It is also recommended to take writing courses, as well as mathematics and foreign language all four years.Special OpportunitiesWe offer five scholarships to entering freshmen. The deadline to apply is early February of the senior year in high school. The deadline for our other scholarships for sophomores, juniors and seniors is early January each year for the following year. Scholarship applications are on our web, www.journalism.indiana.edu. For more schoalrship information, (812) 855-9248.Noted AlumniMary Beth Anderson, Associate Producer/Location Manager, Trading Spaces, Banyan Productions/TLC, PhiladelphiaTracy Baldwin, Manager, Burson-Marsteller Public Relations, Chicago Mike Barz, Sports Anchor, WGN-TV, Chicago Susan Conner, Executive Vice-President, Lumina Foundation for Education, Carmel, IN Chandra Czape, Deputy Articles Editor, Ladies Home Journal, New York, NY, and founder and president, ED2010.com Rick Dawson, Anchor and Reporter, WISH-TV, Indianapolis Michel DuCille, Picture Editor, Washington Post, and Pulitzer Prize winner, 1986, 1988 Tim Franklin, Executive Editor, Baltimore Sun Julie Haddon, Director, Consumer Promotions, eBay, San Jose, CA Linda B. Jackson, Assistant News Director, WISE33 TV, Ft. Wayne, IN Lisa Lenoir, Fashion Editor, Chicago Sun-Times Brett Levy, Pagination Editor, Los Angeles Times Jo'el Rouse, Writer-Reporter, Sports Illustrated On Campus magazine, New York, NY Matt Roush, Senior TV Critic, TV Guide, New York, NY Howard Riefs, Vice President, Fleishman-Hillard Public Relations, Chicago Paul Tash, Editor and President, St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
