Wait...What? No Journalism Major? (1 Viewer)

[Semicolon]

I've looked everywhere and it seems pretty clear to me that ANU doesn't have one. It's an area that would be high on my list of possible majors in an Arts degree. ANU is at the top of my list for universities but a lack of a Journalism major is a massive drawback for me.

So, do any of you know why there isn't one?

Or even better, could you point out that I'm an idiot and that there is in fact one?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Davo1111]

ANU - STUDYAT - English

...Graduates in English also move into jobs in journalism,....

 

[Semicolon]

Okay, so first up, thanks for the prompt reply. I really appreciate it...

...BUT...

...I have to admit I'm a little offended that you think I wouldn't have already searched 'journalism' on the ANU website, which I assume is what you just did. I know I asked to be called an idiot in my original post, but I'm far from one, and it was only added as a safeguard in case I had somehow made a glaring error in my searches. Naturally you dont know me, so I won't dwell on it.

Tell you what though, maybe I asked the wrong question to begin with. I'd still love to hear an answer if anyone has one, but I'll ask this as well.

Say I were to major in something else at ANU, using English as the most apt example, and half-way through the course I decide I definitely want to be a journalist in some form. Do you think a major in English instead of Journalism would considerably dent my chances of pursuing that career?

I know long term it probably wouldn't matter, but short term I'd be inclined to believe it would. And so that's my dilemma. With my current thinking ANU seems limiting, especially considering journalism is probably on par with some form of IR as my prefered major.

So, if any of you have opinions that differ with my current thinking, or even better, personal evidence of ANU graduates who have gone into journalism without a specific journalism major...please share!

 

[Davo1111]

...I have to admit I'm a little offended that you think

you'd be suprised on the number of people who can't do a search...
Hence why faq was created...

Do you think a major in English instead of Journalism would considerably dent my chances of pursuing that career?

I'd say going to a well rounded uni like anu would be better than doing a journalism at an unknown uni. But that's just my opinion. Your best bet would be to find someone working in the industry and ask them! I understand where you're coming from, i did the same research myself

There seems to be plenty of schools that have specialist courses in journalism. Journalism schools - Australia and i know a friend who is studying journalism @ CSU. If i was you, i'd join a professional body as a student member and find out more.

 

[jas0nt]

Say I were to major in something else at ANU, using English as the most apt example, and half-way through the course I decide I definitely want to be a journalist in some form. Do you think a major in English instead of Journalism would considerably dent my chances of pursuing that career?

flex those research-muscles of yours and go on to journalism websites/careers and email their HR group? or call them..? would beef your research-muscles for when you take on uni.

(the above post was not made with any intent of condescending-ness or disrespect)

 

[Andi0390]

I always had this romanticised idea of journalists and though that it was an in built you know passion for finding out the secrets of people and an uncanny ability to get people to open up. I thought that being a journalist wasn't something that you really learned, it was something you just were and became and thats how it happened.

I also was under the impression that lots of people did like internships for journalism. Perhaps if you were going to do English you could do an internship at the end in journalism or something, I don't know.

I suppose coming out of university it might disadvantage you for a job, but after a little experience, if you are good at what you do, I don't think it would really matter. Your degree is only worth what you can do with it, actually thats not strictly true, but the general gist is.

So yeah. I don't know, you could always finish your first year and decide to transfer if you felt that English was not going to help you at all.

 

[yoddle]

I am also really disappointed ANU doesn't have a journalism major, and also that it's in Canberra.

I say just go to another reputable uni (like USYD, RMIT, UQ, UTS, Bond) who all offer journalism majors and mostly straight Bachelors of Communications/Journalism.

The USYD B Arts (Media & Communications) would be a good option, cos it the Arts subjects along with a very reputable Media component.

At least you'll have a more fun social life.

 

[Davo1111]

Someone can correct me, but i think it was csu that had the best journalism course in the country.

 

[Semicolon]

Someone can correct me, but i think it was csu that had the best journalism course in the country.

Yeah, that's the impression I've gotten.

I am also really disappointed ANU doesn't have a journalism major, and also that it's in Canberra.

I say just go to another reputable uni (like USYD, RMIT, UQ, UTS, Bond) who all offer journalism majors and mostly straight Bachelors of Communications/Journalism.

The USYD B Arts (Media & Communications) would be a good option, cos it the Arts subjects along with a very reputable Media component.

At least you'll have a more fun social life.

It certainly appears like that would be the best option for you, you seem to have already decided on the path you want to go down. I haven't. Journalism is just an option amongst others.

---------------------------------

I wanna thank all of you for your feedback. Some basic research has revealed that although it is certainly harder, it is by no means impossible to go into journalism without a specific journalism major.

FYI, over the weekend I decided I'll be going to ANU and doing a BA/BSc (Psych). If I decide I want to look towards a career in journalism then I'll always be able to try and get some intern work, and ANU would have a student paper or something. That's ages away though; I'm just glad I've made a decision now and can focus on Yr 12 and then on the awesomeness of my GAP year.

Cheers.

 

[Andi0390]

My mother did Communications and Journalism or something at UTS and she enjoyed it, and it seems like a pretty good degree.

I have also heard CSU is good but then I guess you have to go where it is, Bathurst or something? That wouldn't be so great. Maybe for some people.

Personally if I were doing Journalism I would go UTS just because of the location and it being not a bad degree, I have heard good things.

ANU isn't all its cracked up to be.

 

[yoddle]

I see you live in Dunedin. You don't happen to attend the Universtity of Otago do you?

 

[91bang]

My brother did IR at ANU, was a foreign affairs reporter for a paper overseas and had jobs with al-jazeera and did free-lance reporting with the BBC and others. You don't need a B.Journalism to be a journalist, so I hope that gives you some faith at being able to do what you want at ANU without worrying too much about the 'right' degree.