By Jared Velleskey (Associate Editor)
A journalism major in the Communication Department at the University of Green Bay can be extremely helpful in expanding one’s ability to write, report, research, and much more. The experience that is gained throughout the process of interviewing, quoting, researching, and publishing articles can be beneficial and propel one’s career. The passion for creating content, along with the feedback derived from such articles, can help with confidence and knowledge for the individual in their careers and academic pursuance. The world of freely flowing information is stronger than ever, meaning journalism is as important as it has ever been.
The University of Green Bay Communication Department has many strengths that allow students to grow their careers. One big benefit of being a journalism major is the constant hands-on experience not only with writing but also in the newsroom, media room, and studio. Throughout my journey at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay in the journalism field, I have gained hands-on experience through classes I have taken, as well as outside experiences with cameras and creations such as short videos, podcasts, and tours. The main goal of the communication department at UWGB is to prepare students for their professional careers. As a journalism major, the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay does an excellent job of guiding my experience and career path in a way that has set me up for success directly out of college. With more focus on students’ careers in the journalism field, UWGB is highly capable of blossoming many into their dreamed-about journalism careers.
There are some new challenges that have arisen in the modern day that may not have been an area of focus in the past. For example, the emergence of social media has affected the impact that journalism has on the world today. The fast-improving digital media landscape is an area that has changed traditional journalism today, and the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay has been able to work with its students in adapting to these new practices. Many practices included in traditional journalism, such as print reporting, broadcast journalism, and multimedia production, have been instilled into the brains of students who have studied journalism over the years, but with the emergence of data journalism, audience engagement, and social media strategies, new ways of teaching and learning are in effect. Because of how fresh these ideas and strategies are in the communication department, students may feel ill-equipped to enter their first jobs out of college. This is not the case at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay. Every year, a new catalog comes out with new and improved classes that tackle these ideas that I have mentioned. These classes guide students through the new ways of journalism and prepare them for modern journalistic ways.
The possibilities and opportunities that come with a journalism major in the communication department at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay are endless. Besides the hands-on experiences and knowledge derived from classes, there are many paths that can be taken. One example of this is connections that can be created through the communication department. Being a part of Communication Week allowed me to connect with highly valued representatives and alumni of the UWGB communication department. This eventually led to connections on apps such as LinkedIn, creating a network where these individuals can follow your career and give advice when needed. Other examples include the professors themselves. The communication department professors at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay are extremely helpful in connecting students with people who will be beneficial to the careers that students are pursuing. There are many different paths that can lead to success at UWGB, and a journalism major in the communication department is the right path to take.
Overall, finding a way to combine old journalism practices with new strategies will be beneficial in fully understanding what it takes to succeed with a journalism degree. Communication is more than understanding how to write, speak, and deliver a message, rather it is about making an impact in society and initiating change with innovative storytelling. As students in the communication department, we hold the power to adapt to the new strategies of journalism and shape the future so that we are better equipped to face possible challenges that arise.
