This write-up is dedicated to students who aspire to study Mass Communication in higher institution. Also, to newly admitted students and graduates of mass communication.
The conscious false beliefs, and ignorant opinion students hold about Mass Communication triggered my enthusiasm to write and inform the students about the real nature of the course, what it entails, and how to make the best out of it.
I reminisce when I was in secondary school, my class teacher then habitually ask the class what we want to be in future. Many of us, without mincing words would shout out the best we can think of. I for once never think of being neither a doctor, nor an engineer because I was an Art student. If i were in science class, I know i would have joined the bandwagon. Similarly, we all know that the most lucrative course to an art student is law, but I never had interest in studying law in school. Maybe, it's due to the phobia I had for reading long texts or I feel it's an over saturated profession. i clearly knew I had no interest whatsoever in becoming a lawyer. I had interest in Economics. This may be due to the belief I had then that once you study economics, you will always be in charge of anything monetary. Apart from that, the teacher who took me the subject in my secondary school made the subject more lovely. He explained concept with funny examples which in return aid fast understanding of the concept being taught.
Without much diversion, I found myself reading Mass Communication in the University. Yes, I applied for it but it's a course I clearly had little idea about while in secondary school. I knew that if you want to become a journalist, you read mass communication, but I don't want to be a journalist. I wanted to be a manager of the state treasury. Not someone reading news in front of a camera, or running helter skelter to get information.
However, as days roll by, I realized that all I know about Mass Communication can be said to be an illusion. I know that many students applying for the course today still do not know what they are going to face in the higher institution. Many of them still believe Mass communication is about reading texts in front of camera, anchoring a programme and going for interview. I also had this belief. It's not odd. However, my constructed illusion about Mass Communication altered in my first and second year. In my first year, among the courses we were told to pick, only two of them had something to do with news. In fact, the two courses were about the art of writing news. Gradually, my view on what the course entails changed as I progress to the next level. It was in 200l that in all ramifications, I know what the course is all about.
We were introduced to Research Methodology, Film production, Photography, Theories of communication, Public relations, Advertising, Graphics of communication and many more. In a course, where i expected to see myself casting news, I saw myself studying the above mentioned concepts. I never thought I can be an advertiser or a public relation officer if I read Mass communication. I never thought I can be neither a Marketer nor a graphic designer. I never thought.
Stating unequivocally, it's indeed true that a degree in Mass Communications as an interdisciplinary course of study opens up doors to a spectrum of careers, from advertising and broadcasting to public relations and publishing. Getting a degree in Mass Communication means, both theoretically and practically, you are well grounded in the above stated area and can take up a future challenge in the following area: Media Planner, Journalist, Audio and Video Producer, Media Buyer, Publisher, Copywriter Videographer, New Media Specialist, Public Relations specialist, Photojournalist, Broadcast Manager, Print or Online Editor, Social Media Expert, Marketer/Advertiser, Motivational Speaker, Campaigner/Fundraiser and many more.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in USA, overall, the job outlook for mass communication professionals looks promising, although in some cases the competition may be intense. A mass communications degree coupled with hard work, determination and previous experience (through internships, volunteer or work) will help you stand out above the competition. With these entire career prospects, one can see that Mass communication is indeed a very wide field which provide its graduates with amazing opportunities to have a clearly defined future. It's due to this fact one of my able lecturer, Mallama Binta always say and I quote ''You can never Practice Mass Communication''. To a very large extent, she's right. How can one practice all the career prospects mentioned earlier at a time? You have to look for your own area of interest and focus on it. You may not like to be a jack of all trade and master of none. As a graduate of this versatile field, you are expected not to only master the art of writing, but also be capable of taking major decisions that may affect the communication plans of your organization.
To the new students in the well respected field, your ability to master the art of Communication starts in your undergraduate days. Join different Academic club that can improve your skills. Here in ABU Zaria, we have the creative Writers' club, pen club and broadcasters' club which are among the finest clubs that can help you in developing your Communication skills. Attend seminars and workshops. Read Novels and Classical books and the sky will be your starting points.
To the graduates of this noble field, I want you to know that the course has already established you to succeed. If you want a paid job, there is hardly any organization you cannot work in. This is because there is no company that does not communicate to its public. However, you can also be an entrepreneur. This can be achieved in different way. For instance, you can be writing articles or new stories and sell to media organizations. You can establish a magazine outlet using a little amount of money. The magazine could be specialized or of general interest produced monthly. And before you know it, your publication will appeal to a wider audience- Abdullahi Haruspice, the publisher of World entourage Magazine and a former student of Mass communication, ABU Zaria comes to mind here. In today's world, you have to sell yourself to the world in order to get what you want.
Similarly, one major challenge that graduates of Mass Communication have to contend with is that unlike what was previously obtainable, people no longer need a degree in journalism, mass communication or any other mass media field to compete as the democratization of media technology and online platforms have totally changed the game.
By Omolaoye Sodiq.
400l Mass Communication.
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