With my first semester of Communications classes under my belt, and the summer classes soon ending, I have learned so much about the journalism industry. Completing classes such as Law and Ethics in Communications, Advanced Writing for the Media, and Media Theories and Effects, I have experienced and tried my hand in many issues and styles of journalism. And that is just the beginning. The Law and Ethics course sparked my interest the most, as I played the part of a mock lawyer defending my “college newspaper” in a libel trial, which led to my final paper discussing libel laws for online uses, including the recent SOPA controversy. I became much more involved in local and national events these last few months, thanks mainly in part to my professors asking I read a newspaper every day (which I still try to do.) Another huge change in my communications career happened when I finally got off my high horse and signed up for a Twitter account. Since then, I don’t believe I have ever been more interested in news and stories, nor been slapped with so much information in one space at one time. Yes, these last two semesters have made me ever more sure of what I wish to do in my life and where I want my future to be: communications and media.
However, the track I have chosen to take me to those places of siting in a high office, reading over copy or evaluating a design or layout has changed a bit. I believed since high school that journalism was my calling. Ever since I first saw my name in a byline, and was able to put down the title of Editor-in-Chief of my yearbook. As much as I wanted to stick to that dream, it was still just a dream. I have had the wonderful opportunity to be taught by a professor in two different classes who has experienced just about all the big breaks a journalist could experience in his career. A modern day muckraker, he uncovered many stories in his early career, ran his own publication for a year that he then sold to another company, and has moved his way up the media ladder. It was this professor that I went to for advice when I felt myself caught in a pickle about my aspirations in journalism. I came to the realization recently that my interests and goals were not going to be easily accomplished through the rough hours and uncertainty of a entry level journalist. It took a lot of discussions with multiple professors to come to the conclusion that journalism was not exactly my forte. My dreams of working with design and layout, coming up with media ideas and evaluating different creations and messages were essentially a part of what is now my new major: advertising!
This decision did not come lightly at all. I first thought that if I had never seen myself in the field, then that wasn’t what I wanted to do. However, after talking to all these professionals and describing my interests, it’s exactly where I need to be. There are so many aspects of advertising, and any one of them can suit my interests and dreams. The great thing about my university is that the advertising program is essentially set up in two ways: the marketing and planning side, and the creative design side. I have to admit, that I am more excited now about my major and career opportunities than I have ever been. Much more research has led me to see that there are many positions and careers in advertising, and so, many more opportunities to find my niche. My new goal is to become a creative director of some kind, where I can work with design and creating the message, as well as plan the campaign and work with other business professionals. So starting next fall I will begin my advertising degree courses and work my way towards graduation one year from now!
Another aspect of this soul searching and graduation planning involved picking up a minor. And what other subject is more suited to advertising than psychology? Just this summer, I was enrolled in Social Psychology and Media Theories at the same time, and it was completely reassuring to see how many concepts, terms, and theories overlap in each field! Ideas such as social learning theory, behavioral identities and more are found in both subjects in many ways. I have always found myself fascinated and entertained by psychology and its many ideas. And now, I have a realistic opportunity to apply those interests in my career!
Overall, I am a bit disappointed I wont be involved in journalism completely anymore. However, that wont stop me from enhancing my experiences with social media, such as Twitter, or reading a newspaper every day and sometimes writing my opinion. I have started “following” some advertising programs and websites, as well as Psychology Today, a national psychological magazine. I just can’t wait to see where this new aspiration and dream takes me, and to what heights!
C.K. 