Northwestern vs Notre Dame vs Georgetown for Political Science & Journalism

[tsbna44]

Back in my day at Syracuse, I doubt 20% of kids ended up in the field. So many became stock brokers or went to law school.

I would assume it’s not much different today - and the landscape has changed.

There’s a reason so many schools require a second major or at least a minor.

I could see it being with high regret.

I was one of the successes - and worked 3P - 4A, 6 sometimes 7 days a week for $300 a week (1993) and got no OT, etc. Now I was in production, on a journalistic show.

But in any field where the supply far outweighs the demand, you’ll have regret.

It’s a field where you, today still many intern for free vs. paid.

Unfortunately, or fortunately, if it doesn’t work out - you’re in a now what position. In my case, with my History and Journalism dual, after dad said, I appreciate you chasing the dream but there comes a time in life where you have to pay enough to live and now is that time - so when that happened, I was fortunate that I was hired into outside sales, something I had zero interest in but it’s all I was qualified for. For me it worked out really well. I got lucky.

So one needs a plan B. I would take the survey at face value and not try to find ways to discredit it.

87% seems about right - at least 30 years ago.

I sometimes look up the bios of classmates and most are in business roles like me, with a few in PR, and a few that hit it big that you watch them each week and others find them on local channels - but as a percentage, very low.

And many left, due to money or lack of.

Of course, one should pursue their dream and I don’t discourage that at all - so if OP wants that - but it’s good to go in with open eyes.

Honestly, it seems like OP wants Gtown - so that’s where they should go rather than finding a reason to talk themselves out of it. But from a pure study of journalism - I don’t think you can beat NU -but if it’s not where you want to be, then one shouldn’t go.

[aquapt]

Conversely, of the students working on the student paper of the Claremont Consortium when my daughter was there, I can give multiple examples of young people who got jobs with well-known publications straight out of college, and whose articles I now see being posted on social media and widely read. Same with a distant cousin who was Editor In Chief of the paper at an Ivy. None of these colleges even have a school of journalism, but kids are still launching careers based on the journalistic experience they got in college.

So… yes, as I said, both good options, and the OP should choose what they prefer. My point was that I wouldn’t warn a student - especially one with a solid double major plan - away from Medill based on the overall prevalence of regrets among journalism majors. That doesn’t mean I was warning them away from Georgetown either. They should choose the school they prefer and trust that both schools have strengths that they can capitalize on to get where they want to go. Both can open doors, even if it’s in different ways.

[tsbna44]

And i noted that before in earlier posts - many journalists have no formal education in journalism and come from all different majors - and that you can get experience outside the major. Hence I listed the link for the Gtown paper before - as it does seem like the student prefers Gtown.

And I noted the NU option will be better for journalism - but that their heart is in Gtown - so I’d go there.

But 100% agreed - journalism is a tough field but he doesn’t need to be a journalism student to participate in and make success.

But the #s don’t lie - it is a tough field. Not dissuading though. I think all young people should pursue their dream, their desires - no one should give up without trying. If I was 18, I’d likely do it again!!

[merc81]

To be clear, my intent was not to discourage this student’s interest in a career in journalism. However, I haven’t heard that a major in journalism furthers this goal to a greater degree than it would be furthered by potentially more relevant majors. It appears that the OP would like to pursue political journalism. In such a case, I believe a major in government would be superior to one in journalism.

[Hippobirdy]

Agree upon further reflection and a presidential election year. Georgetown as a government major and minor in journalism will help OP meet goals.
Surveying jobs in political journalism via Indeed, LinkedIn, etc., show there is some life still in print, broadcasters.

[MYOS1634]

It seems that, more and more, young people who get a job in journalism had a traditional major + journalism experience at a respected student paper and/or internships and/or some technical skill (which may or may not be related to a specific class).
In that sense, Georgetown would sound like the best choice.