Media course popular among students

Avneet Kaur

Jalandhar, July 23

Major digital tools and trends that are affecting the media industry and changing the working style of journalists are attracting a lot of youngsters. With the onset of new academic session in colleges and universities, a majority of the students have shown a keen interest in journalism to make it as their career.

Many colleges and universities of the region have also introduced journalism as new course to attract the students in this admission season.

Lyallpur Khalsa College and the Apeejay College of Fine Arts have introduced a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication degree. Many serving army officers prefer a degree in journalism with a thought that it would benefit them in some way after their retirement.

Students believe that the course opens doors to many fields such as print and electronic media, social media. Students can become a blogger, anchor, script writer, radio jockey and public relation officer (PRO).

Dr Namarta Joshi, head of the Journalism and Mass Communication Department, GND University Regional Campus, said, “Journalism has a wide scope for students. The response we received this year is more than an average. The basic problem with this field is that students as well parents are not aware of it. They do not know much about the placements and opportunities that the course offers. Teachers in the field have the responsibility to guide the students about the course.”

“Students seeking admissions to the journalism course require a particular aptitude and good communication skills to make their career. They should never impose any restrictions on them and should be ready to face challenges. This should be taught to them in all colleges and universities,” she added.

Dr Kadambari Nayyer, assistant professor of journalism and mass communication at Apeejay College, said, “Though the college has not done much advertisement, the response is good. As students get to know about the course, they enthusiastically come for the admission. They ask for the scope and show their interest in the field. Journalism is a new trend and its popularity is booming with time.”

Ishita Bhardwaj, who is aspiring to be a journalist and seeking admission to the course, said, “Today, journalism as a career stands not only as a prestigious profession but also a challenging career option. Journalists play a key role in the growth of any nation. The core purpose of journalism is to inform, educate and enlighten the masses on various issues revolving them. I feel opting post graduation in journalism will help me in learning and knowing about the field work in a better way.”

Col Jaspal Singh, pursuing post graduation in Journalism from the GNDU Regional Campus, said, “I was confuse at the time of choosing the course. After reading about the course and knowing its scope, I realised that the course will benefit me in future. Moreover, I feel it is the only field that has subjects related to advertisements, PR, designing, including subjects of print and electronic media. One can pursue any field related to mass communication and can work as a freelancer.”