Career Information - English and Journalism - Western Illinois University

English and Journalism

What Good is a Degree in Journalism?

Journalism graduates aren't confined to print media, of course. Although Western Journalism graduates work in daily and weekly newspapers in different markets, they also have careers in public relations offices of corporations, offices of public officials and political figures, advertising agencies, nonprofits and advocacy groups, magazines, etc. Journalism graduates become lawyers, entrepreneurs, grant writers and creative designers as well as reporters, editors and photographers. Others pursue graduate study in journalism, liberal arts fields, business, law, or education. As Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Thomas Friedman says, “Imagination is the single most important characteristic; the liberal arts is the best fountain for imagination.”

Career Options to Consider

Legal assistant
Legislative aide
Lobbyist
Manuscript reader
Media planner
Online editor
Photojournalist
Proofreader
public administrator
Public information staffer
Public relations specialist
Publishing assistant
Sales representative
Sportswriter
Teacher
Technical writer
Web producer

Account executive
Ad copywriter
Analyst
Announcer for TV/Radio
Broadcaster
Consultant
Consumer Advocate
Correspondent
Creative director
Critic/commentator
Desktop publisher
Editorial assistant
Environmental researcher/writer
Fantasy sports journalist
Freelance writer
Information services
Interpreter

Why consider a career in journalism?

Journalism provides an almost unlimited foundation for many pursuits. Consider America’s first notable columnist Ben Franklin, who started out as a printer and became a journalist—plus an inventor, statesman and leader. Dave Lieber of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists wrote that Franklin “was also what I would call America’s original ‘information entrepreneur’.”

In fact, journalism can prepare you for virtually anything—and typical Americans will have more than a dozen jobs in their lifetimes and will change careers three to five times. Every law enforcement grad won't become a homicide detective in a major city; most dance grads won’t perform professionally; some business grads won’t work in commerce; all French grads don’t become translators.

Journalism grads aren’t limited with their talents; they’re empowered by their abilities.

Journalism students learn to find and digest information and present it with clarity and brevity. At WIU, we don’t indoctrinate students for one field; we’ve never been a vocational program for one type of work. Journalism majors and minors develop skills valued throughout the economy throughout the ages.