If the AP Style book is your best friend and you always carry a notebook with you, chances are you’re a journalism major. Sure, being a journalism major is stressful at times, but there are more positives than negatives. Here are 10 perks that come with being a journalism major:
1. You rarely have tests or exams
You might have an exam or test a few times a semester but most of your midterms or finals consist of stories and projects.
2. You get to attend amazing events and meet new people
While working on an assignment for one of your classes you get special access to cool events such as debates, meetings or festivals and all while doing “homework.” You also get to meet new people with amazing and inspiring life stories.
3. You have open-ended creativity
Most of the time you can write about whatever your heart desires. Even when you are given a topic you can do what you want with it and put your own spin on it.
4. There’s no math and science
Being a journalism major, chances are you always liked history and English more than math and science. On the rare occasion that you have to do math, like for instance finding a statistic, you just grab a calculator.
5. You’re always learning
Since your job will be to inform the public, you first must inform yourself. Before reporting on a new thing or idea, doing your research will benefit your interview and or writing process and it’s always exciting to learn something new.
6. You become more social
Even if you’re a shy person, being a journalism major will force you to come out of your shell. You have to ask people questions and dive in deep to get a good story. No more cowering in corners for you.
7. You’ll never get bored
There’s always something going on in this crazy world, therefore there’s always something for you to write and report on. You will always be busy and there will never be a boring moment in your major and your future career.
8. You feel proud seeing your name in a byline
No, that’s not just another news article, you wrote this one. You put your blood, sweat, tears and time into writing and possibly interviewing for this article. Seeing your name in that by line always makes you feel accomplished.
9. You’re a great speller
Whenever a friend asks “How do spell ____?” you have the correct and immediate response. People always come to you when they don’t know how to spell a word. You can spell a word in a blink of an eye.
10. You’re super fast at editing
You’ve learned all the editing tricks and AP style throughout your college career, with your almost expert knowledge you can edit your own articles and stories quickly. Whenever your friends have difficulty editing their papers, you have no problem helping them out.
If you work hard, love writing and are passionate about current events, majoring in journalism is a great fit for you. Don’t let anyone tell you that you won’t find a job after graduation, keep on writing and publishing your work and prove them wrong.
Photo credit: Cover photo, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11.