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Wondering about journalism school? It’s still wonderful to be a journalist

April 15th, 2011 · 12 Comments

It’s been a rough time in journalism the last decade (or three?). It’s also been one of the most exhilarating times, as you feel journalism re-inventing itself under your feet.

Like many in this profession, I still wake up many mornings after 25 years, thinking, “Wow, people pay me to do this? How great is that.” I was reminded of that yesterday when a tweet rolled by, linking to a a stream of comments for high-school students on why it’s still important (and fun) to have a career in journalism.

As many of you know, I also teach journalism at Langara, where I see new, young people coming into the field and feel energized by the new ideas and passion they’re bringing to the job. We just waved goodbye to another class, where people are off to jobs at the Vancouver Sun, at Global, in Terrace, in Fort St. John, and elsewhere across the country. Students from my previous classes are all over the city and province. (Plus a few in Alberta — hi Victoria and Doug!)

For those out there who feel the call, I urge you to listen to it. Yes, the industry is going through big upheaval. But it’s still thriving in many ways, and new jobs are starting to come onstream to replace some of the ones that disappeared from the old model.

It’s become increasingly obvious, in the information-overload world, that journalists — people who will search out information for the public whether they agree with it or not, people who will double-check and doubt even the most credible-sounding information, people who will sort through the tsunami debris of fake facts, conspiracy theories, perpetual opinion yellers, obfuscation, genial spin and more — are more valuable than ever.

Plus, it’s a great new world with so many ways to tell stories.

There are good journalism schools all over Canada, but Langara, where I teach, has been a pillar of the B.C. journalism world for over 40 years. It’s where people come when they are really sure they want to work in field and they’re looking for an intense program that is completely focused on learning all the skills you need to function out there.

There are two programs — a one-year certificate program for people who have degrees already and a two-year diploma program for those without degrees. If you’re looking for a degree, there are various paths to follow post-diploma at other universities that can get you there.

You can look at Langara’s Facebook page (Langara Journalism) or check out the official website for the program. It’s not too late to apply for next fall.

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  • George

    Frances,

    “Like many in this profession, I still wake up many mornings after 25 years, thinking, “Wow, people pay me to do this? How great is that.”

    These words were written by a woman that has truly found her passion, and that passion drives her to share this love….

    your students are very lucky…

  • Suilan

    Great stuff, Frances. Journalism has been a calling since high school but I deviated. Did do an English degree and a graduate degree in communications. Still writing for a living. What do you think about entering journalism at age 50?

  • Chris Bryan

    As a past student of yours, Frances, and after 11 years as a working journalist I couldn’t agree with you more. I love this business.
    The shift into the digital universe has been bewildering at times, and I often find myself asking “where the heck are we going with this?”
    But I ‘m always eager to get to work on a Monday morning. The constant engagement with the community, the continuous feedback (good and bad), helping people make some sense of their world, cutting through the BS, calling folks on the carpet… where else would a guy get to do that?
    On a personal note — it was awesome at J-school to have a teacher like yourself who was clearly invigorated by the journalism world.
    All the best,
    Chris Bryan
    Editor
    New Westminster NewsLeader
    Burnaby NewsLeader

  • Frances Bula

    @George. Thanks for the kind words. Just hope none of my editors reads this and thinks, “Hey, maybe she’d do this for free!” 🙂

  • Kristin

    Do you have any advice or insight to the merits of a Master of Journalism program v. a college program? Is one better than the other for eventually landing employment?

  • Victoria Paterson

    Hi Frances (from under half a foot of snow here in Alberta!) Two years in I have to agree – I can’t believe I get paid to do this. Everything from helicopter rides to a potential trip to China to criminal trials that are about to get national coverage, all in the name of community journalism.

  • Frances Bula

    @ Every program is really about the connections its faculty have with the industry + reputation, which are usually intertwined. Good connections mean their program is more aligned with what’s really going on in the world of journalism and their interns get good placements. It partly depends where you want to go, too. If you really want to work in the Toronto newsroom of the CBC or the Toronto Star, you need to choose a program that has lines into that. If you want to work locally, same.

    Some bachelor’s programs are better than some master’s. Some diploma programs are better than some bachelor’s. Some master’s programs are better than other master’s programs. I’d be happy to talk more about this with you offline.

  • Doug Neuman

    I can’t help but agree with you that it’s truly amazing to be able to get paid to do this job – as Victoria pointed out the benefits can be pretty substantial.

    I just wish I got paid a little bit MORE to do this…

  • Mira

    Journalism school? LMAO. Why bother? Check out the MSM outings lately. They (MSM) seem to not hire journalists anymore.

  • Frances Bula

    @ Mira. Oh my goodness, our little ray of sunshine.

  • Rick Peterson

    Frances,
    I spent six years in journalism as my first career path before entering the world of finance, and I can say that the training and discipline that a journalist learns is a powerful asset to anyone in virtually any career choice.

    The ability to get to the bottom of an issue and identify what counts and what is merely peripheral is so useful in all walks of life. Being able to write clearly and concisely – and doing it under deadline pressure – is invaluable. Having a good BS detector, which all journalists develop quickly, is obviously useful. And, finally, being exposed to all the strengths and weaknesses of “the human condition”, to quote French writer Andre Malraux, is to be so intensely alive in a way that no other profession allows you to be.

    What other job gives you a ringside seat to witness pain, tragedy, triumph, redemption, punishment, kindness, cruelty and all sides of life? Be it politics, business, sports, community events, science, environment or any subject area, a journalist has insight that few others do. With that insight comes the responsibility to report fairly, accurately, and with balance – and to portray the colour and texture and nuance that surround issues of importance – something that is in short supply in what is called the media these days. Journalists who can do this are providing a valuable and much appreciated service. And, we will pay for it – the only thing that has changed is the way it is delivered.

    So, more than ever, I think we need good journalists, good journalism schools, and good teachers in those schools. Sounds like you’re making an important contribution in this area – good for you.

  • Jean

    My hats off to journalists who still are in the game and get paid for their writing.

    It’s competitive out there –especially now with citizen reporting via blogging.

    One thing independent journalists shouldn’t discount is doing a stint of a decent length for either the private sector or non-profits, with a few courses on management underneath their belt.

    To really effectively criticize corporate practices, it maybe helpful that one works in specific sector areas and sees for themselves machinations of how certain organizations or industry areas work. Then one can step outside later and be more targeted and constructive in commentary.

    So I have to say pure writing skill is great but reading across several different subject areas regularily and working in specific fields helps also.