Would it be better for me to major in Journalism or Mass Communications?

Wow! What a great question!

I knew as a child that I wanted to be a writer. Who knew that I would one day be a writer, editor, and a national writing coach?

The key to it is this. I think--do you have a love for news, for story, for words, or all of the above?

It sounds to me as if you simply have a message and a passion to communicate.

Student time is for learning. So why limit what you may love now? Explore. Take a chance. Follow your own true voice, and you will find your way I did!

In the meantime, let me know if I can help or perhaps you might prefer to reach out to specific members of your Walden family to ask career-related questions.

All best,

Moxie

Hello,
Great question and glad to hear you are thinking of these different angles. I majored in Broadcasting and had double minors in Journalism and Political Science. You may find the content of various programs are similar across a number of schools but perhaps called different things. Some schools will combine broadcasting and journalism. Some combine journalism and interpersonal communications. There is a lot of variety out there. I might be less inclined to worry about the name of the degree than the content I will be exposed to within any particular school's program. Meaning, look at a number of programs and schools and find the program that will meet most of your interests. For me, I found that after perhaps the first job, the name of the degree was irrelevant. What mattered was whether I could do the work and that is a function of the learning and experiences you gain, not a degree title. Also, the major/minor difference matters less over time. I would just say I studied "broadcasting and journalism" and focus on getting hands-on experience in all your areas of interest while you are in college via good practicum courses, apprenticeships, and volunteer work if possible.

Good luck and enjoy the experience!

These two areas of study are so closely related most schools will combine them into one degree, 'Journalism & Mass Communication'. If you do have to choose, my personal choice would be Journalism because you will learn the purpose, ethics, and tactics of the subject which is the base for professional media outlets. Your understanding of Journalism will also help you become a more educated consumer of media. Choosing between the two specific concentrations or majors is probably not a decision you will have to make until after your first year or two in college. First you will have to get your basic prerequisites out of the way and at that point you can look more closely at the class offerings within the specific disciplines and that will help you make your decision based on what appeals to you the most.

There are varied career opportunities in communications and journalism, including public relations specialist, news anchor, reporter, author and radio broadcaster. Work environments in communications and journalism can include offices, broadcasting studios and home offices. Authors, editors and writers sometimes have the freedom to make their own schedules, although they often must meet tight deadlines. In some careers, you could also have to work in the field, since you may have to meet with clients or go to the scene of a news event. Many people in this field are curious, willing to take the initiative, creative and good at research.

If you want to further explore possible occupations in communications and journalism, the following resources from Study.com can help you make effective academic and career decisions.