Now you know what it’s like studying Journalism at UTS, it’s time to determine whether this degree is just right for you.
Meet Jessica, a Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) graduate from the University of Technology Sydney, who also studied an Arts degree in International Studies!
She has given us the low down on the best and worst aspects of studying UTS Journalism.
Let’s jump right in!
Why should you study a Journalism major at UTS?
Top 3 Pros of a Journalism Major
Top 3 Cons of a Journalism Major
Mistakes You Shouldn’t Make
Things to Know Before Starting UTS Journalism
What Makes this Degree Different
Motivations for Studying UTS Journalism
Potential Career Paths
Why should you study a Journalism major at UTS?
She adds that the UTS Journalism faculty are practical in their teaching, “They pretty much throw you into the world and expect you to come up with a story.”
Jessica says that although she would have loved there to have been a more theoretical component to her degree, she admits that the practical experience was outstanding, pushing her to be a better writer and researcher.
UTS Journalism is great for building your resilience and giving you more of a backbone. You are given lots of opportunities to get your story out there, especially during tasks where you are given the freedom to do almost anything!
Top 3 Pros of a Journalism major
#1: Interactivity
“There is a lot of interactivity between the students and teachers,” Jessica says. Tutors are always there to offer their support, provide guidance and help you find contacts.
Since Journalism at UTS is so hands-on, you can expect plenty of interactions with teaching staff throughout the degree.
#2: Getting your story told
Jessica believes that when it comes to putting your opinions out there, whether in audio, video or written forms, you can always feel heard with a UTS Journalism degree. You can chase story leads that you find interesting and that you think are important stories to tell.
#3: Puts you in the industry
Journalism is such a broad field and this degree can get you into lots of different places. You will have many more opportunities and be able to network with the right people thanks to a UTS Journalism degree.
As Jessica remarks, studying journalism at UTS can help to “broaden your horizons.”
Top 3 Cons of a Journalism major
#1: Puts you out of your comfort zone
Journalism isn’t for everyone, and studying this degree can really take you out of your comfort zone. You will need to work hard to make your stories work, challenge yourself and interview a broad range of personalities, which leads us onto…
#2: Interviewing anyone and everyone
Looking back, Jessica’s least favourite part of this degree was being forced to be intrusive and upfront when finding interview subjects for stories. Sometimes students may even be forced to call people who may be grieving, something that you need to be able to do in journalism, but which can also feel uncomfortable and confronting.
“Studying journalism requires you to talk to people you may not really want to speak with but have to for your story,” Jessica says.
#3: Not very theoretical
Although the practical aspects of this degree can be a big positive, it also means that the theory side is more lacking. If you want a hands-on, interactive experience you can’t go wrong with UTS Journalism, but if you prefer getting your heads into the books, then perhaps you should look elsewhere.
Any regrets?
Jessica doesn’t have regrets about studying her degree, but admits, “Towards the end, I started really regretting doing the degree in the first place. However, I’m really glad I stuck through the last semester because my studies were really able to broaden my career horizons.”
What do you wish you had known before starting Journalism at UTS?
When reflecting on her degree, Jessica said, “I wish I had known how difficult it was going to be. I went into it thinking it was going to be easy and I wouldn’t need a helping hand, but I was constantly racking my brain trying to find people who could help me, constantly asking my tutors for help… which is not a bad thing, but it’s all a lot harder than you first expect.”
What makes this major different from the ones offered at other universities?
The main aspect that separates UTS Journalism from journalism degrees at other unis, is how practical it can be. Students are required to put themselves out into the world, track down interviewees and complete extensive research on topics they wish to explore.
Depending on whether you choose audio, video or written journalism for your assessments, you can expect to carry out anything from recording sound and filming to writing content such as articles.
You may find that at other universities such as the University of Wollongong, journalism theory is more of a focus.
What inspired you to choose Journalism at UTS?
“I’ve always loved writing,” Jessica says. “I’ve always loved having a voice and I think journalism was the way to go to broaden my horizons. I also heard a lot of really good things about UTS, not just that it was a technological university, but it was also really accessible and the commute was just super easy.”
She adds, “Having uni in Haymarket also opened up possibilities for me to try jobs or internships in the city. Everything was in one place.”
What are the possible career paths?
There are so many career possibilities for people who study Journalism at UTS. The degree pushes you to become more involved in the industry through networking and can take your career into multiple writing fields and disciplines.
With a UTS Journalism degree, you will gain essential soft skills in communication, problem-solving and creativity that you can take into any workplace. You will be able to talk to a variety of interesting personalities and write content that appeals to you and that might even change the world!
Learn more about being a Journalist here or a Producer here!
Kellie Maloney is a driven and passionate writer who likes to flex her creative muscle on the daily. Currently, she also works as a Junior Content Writer at ClassBento, a rapidly growing startup that she is super proud to be a part of. When she is not writing for ClassBento or Art of Smart Education, Kellie can be found writing trashy poetry, cooking (barely) edible food or watching YouTube videos.
