An Introduction to Journalism

To become a good journalist you need to do more than learn to interview, write stories and capture images. You must understand as much as you can about the world. A good explanation about why a liberal arts education is important was provided by the College of Letters and Science at the University of California, Berkeley. It said:

• a broad-based liberal arts education does more than prepare you for a job. It lays the foundation for   a future career... You learn to think independently and make sound judgments. You expand your horizons, discover new perspectives, and acquire the tools to defend your point of view. To be liberally educated is to be transformed. A liberal arts education frees your mind and helps you connect dots you never noticed before, so you can put your own field of study into a broader context. It enables you to form opinions and judgments, rather than defer to an outside authority (A Liberal Arts Education 2009).

So during your time at university, in addition to developing your understanding knowledge and skills relating to journalism, use the opportunity to learn what you can about history, geography, philosophy, politics, science, business, economics, health, music, sport, art and culture. Soak up all you can. Above all, be curious and learn how to learn. Then, for the rest of your life, and as you follow your dreams, you will be equipped to keep learning what your life dictates you need to learn. 

It is also important to understand from the start of journalism studies that there is more to journalism than news reporting. Many who study journalism will not spend their working lives employed by news organisations. Some will move into other fields. Some who start their studies with a burning ambition to become a print journalists will find themselves drawn more to radio or television. Others who aimed for radio might find they prefer print or online. But no matter which path you take, studying journalism should help you become a disciplined and effective writer. You should learn to write for radio, media law, appreciate the strong connections between journalism and democracy, and develop a compelling interest in news and current affairs. (Lamble, 2011)

Reference:

Stephen Lamble. (2011). Introduction. In: Natasha Broadstock News As It Happens. Australia: Oxford. pxi-xii.