If a loudspeaker isn’t good enough to send your message across, maybe it’s time you turn to print media. The best way to voice your innermost notions, whether bitter or sweet, you’re bound to have a treat. If you’ve always had the knack and passion for investigating the ulterior motives of politicians, bureaucrats, criminals and whatever else is worthy of a headline, this is your calling! Moreover, it idealizes and exploits your social butterfly status. One of your worst nightmares would undeniably be to zip it throughout your monotonous office hours, if you happen to be a chatterbox venturing in the corporate world. The oldest form of media, print media is attracting a lot of youngsters around the world. As print advertising flourishes, so does the print media industry. Newspapers and magazines are favourable outlets for reflecting all your views on society and culture. Nonetheless, it does entail immense skill and the sweat of one’s brow to build a respectable name in this industry. So now the question will be- what’s the most reliable route to landing on this glamorous landscape? You may encounter several stumbling blocks, but this article promises to explain the route at its best.
Career In Print Media
Candidates that intend on embarking upon the exhilarating voyage that is print media can start by doing bachelors in journalism or print media. If they discover their print media calling later in life, there is no need to panic! They can always acquire a post-graduate degree after completing their graduation in whichever stream. That’s the beauty of print media, you can stem from any background-it’s open to each and every one! As long as you have the right linguistic abilities coupled with a sharp nose for picking up news, you shall fit the bill. Institutes offering courses in print media generally select candidates based on their performances in the comprehensive entrance examination.
Details Of The Course
Colleges and universities generally set up an all-encompassing curriculum for print media. Students, especially at the post graduate level will have to choose from a wide range of electives. The various niche topics that a student immerses his or her head into are jotted down below.
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Print Designing
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Print Layout
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Tools of Communication & Journalism
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Reporting & Editing
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Effective & Concise Writing
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Creative Writing
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Relationship between Advertising & Journalism
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Introduction to Printing Technology
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Politics and Current Affairs
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Voice Culture
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Communication Journalism
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Television Journalism
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Introduction to Media Planning
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Media Ethics & Legal Issues
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Computer Applications: Pagemaker, QuarkXPress & other upcoming software
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Photojournalism
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Advanced International News Coverage
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Advanced Multimedia Writing
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History of Print Media
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Future of Print Media
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Price & Costing
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Opinion and Editorial Writing
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Covering the Arts and Cultural Events
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Sports reporting
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Covering Health and Environmental Issues
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Magazine Writing
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Investigative Reporting
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Issues in Developmental Journalism
We are all born with different passions and fortes. However, if we share a common fervour for writing, we are invariably endowed with the opportunity to make our mark in the print media industry. Specializations range from political reporting to financial reporting or lifestyle writing to sports writing. The options will baffle you, in a good way! Even if you are way past your writing phase and possess an exceptionally good command over the English (or the language of the concerned printed instrument), one can work his or her way into acquiring an editor’s position.
Career Prospects
The horizons for a fresh print media graduates are indeed broad. They can manifest their skills in newspaper and magazine houses. Even graphic artists, photographers and cartoonists have work opportunities in booming print media sectors.
Respectable job profiles typically comprise editors who plan the contents of the publication and supervise its preparation. Sub-editors edit, reformat and furnish each report attuned to the newspaper or magazines’ general policy. Freelancing is a very good option for those who can’t commit to a regular job, but can make irregular contributions. Freelancers get paid generously by the article and often resort to it for secondary income.
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Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media (IIJNM), Bangalore
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Cuny Kingsborough Community College, USA
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University of Leeds, UK
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School of print media, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), New York, USA
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Asian College of Journalism, Chennai, India
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London College of Communication, UK
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Danish School Of Media and Journalism, Copenhagen, Denmark
