With a quickly evolving media career landscape, the Journalism and Media Communication program continually updates the curriculum to give students the ability to customize a course of study according to their individual goals. This curriculum directs students to complete a series of core courses that build a common foundation in writing, communication technology, and conceptual understanding. Students then chart a career-specific path through skills courses in writing, reporting, editing, public relations, advertising, television, web design, and scientific or technical communication, among others. These skills can be applied in a wide variety of communication careers. Faculty advisers work closely with students to help shape a set of skills to meet specific career goals. For a list of how courses can apply to specific career tracks, see the department’s career advising supplement.

Employers particularly value JMC students’ ability to communicate across many platforms. The most employable students have skills in writing, editing, audio, visual, and online communication, and have work portfolios that demonstrate these skills for potential employers. All JMC students complete a capstone course in their final semester that includes crafting such a portfolio. Here are just a few of the careers in which our alumni are succeeding: Advertising copywriter Agricultural communications Blogger Book author College professor Columnist Company spokesperson Corporate media specialist in print, video, or web Development coordinator Environmental issues communicator Email and direct mail strategist Event planner and manager Food writer Freelance writer Elementary, middle, or high school teacher Health communication writer Law school Magazine editor Magazine publisher Marketing coordinator Media entrepreneur Media freelancer Media relations director Medical communicator Multimedia design New media specialist Newspaper editor Newspaper publisher Non-profit communications director Online journalist Photojournalist – web, publications, or TV Production company owner Public information officer Public relations agency account executive Publication designer Radio DJ, reporter, or music director Reality TV producer, writer, photographer, or talent Reporter for web, magazine, newspaper, or TV Science writer and editor Social media director Technology communication specialist Television and video editor Television documentary producer Television news anchor or program host Television or radio news producer Television photographer Travel writer Video freelancer Website designer and manager Writer or editor for technical publication