Avery Careers in journalism are quickly changing: the very definition of “media” is broadening to include things such as social media, and technology is getting more and more advanced. WVU is embracing these changes, as evidenced by the recent transformation of the Reed College of Media. Formerly the College of Journalism, Reed is expanding its horizons. A new media innovation lab, furnished with 72 inch interactive TVs, was provided for through a partnership with Apple and is allowing students to directly interact with their teachers in the classroom like never before. Technology like GoogleGlass and GoPros are available to students for use on documentaries and interviews, and social media is being utilized by administration: Snapchat is used to spread announcements to students after campus research revealed that students check their Snaps before they check their email.
To help their students gain a competitive edge in the vicious job market, WVU is recognizing the increasing importance of social media in today’s world and the growing dependence on technology. And they’re succeeding. 80% of students at WVU graduate with jobs, often high profile well-paying ones with companies such as MTV, NASA, Entertainment Tonight, and the Travel Channel. What’s their secret? For the students at Reed, it’s in part due to their student services section. Staff member Eric’s sole job is to help students find internships. Careers in journalism abound, with something for nearly everyone. Careers such as science writing are on the rise, in which journalists to rewrite highly scientific research into laymen’s terms. A career can be found for anyone: ask the WVU student currently videotaping sharks underwater off the coast of South Africa.
By following one of two major paths at WVU, you could have the opportunity to travel abroad, work with ABC during election time, or become a video game analyzer. One major is Journalism. If you specialize in TV or radio under this major, you may get the opportunity to work with ESPN or ESPNU, both of which have partnerships with WVU. With this major, you can also study web content: aka, learn to work with Snapchat, Foursquare, blogging, app development, and coding. Another major is strategic communications, which is divided into public relations and advertising.
To accommodate for the flux, the Evansdale building, which houses the media department, is being newly redone in addition to the construction of a new media innovation center. Coming up soon on campus if the Face-to-Face event, which gives prospective students the opportunity to talk to people representing every major at WVU. If you attend, your academic deposit will be waived.
If you think you may want to pursue a career in journalism, make sure you check WVU out. Gone are the days of journalists simply writing articles: they’re updating social media for major corporations, corresponding from exotic countries, interviewing celebrities, and getting face-to-video camera with sharks. One of the most diverse fields for those that are curious, Media could be your ticket to a purposeful future.
Picture: Whitney, recruitment worker for Reed College, speaks to Ms. Boggs' yearbook class.