Journalism as a career

By; Manan Chopra, INN, @infodeaofficial, Delhi,

Democracy is the fiber on which the constitution and framework of politics exists in India. Media is termed as the fourth pillar of democracy preceded by Judiciary, Executive and Legislature, whose amalgamation determines the execution of a proper democratic layout of our country. Journalism plays an integral role in bridging the gap between the common man and the hard facts of incidents occurring across the nation via traditional and new age methods like Twitter, Facebook etc. With the advancements in technology and constantly shifting dynamics of world climate, journalism embodies immense opportunities, especially for the youth as their fresh perspective and vision is pivotal in utilising the opportunities offered by the corporate world.
Journalism and Media are equally dependent on one another for their existence. The combinative efforts of both help to spread awareness to the public on practically everything, be it the expenditure of taxpayer money, the scams or the laurels which hoist the tri colour globally. The need of journalism can never cease to exist with the fluctuating dynamics of Crime, Politics, Sports and Business in today’s modern era. Any person who believes that their thoughts coupled with a backbone of intricately chosen words can create a path breaking difference in the ideology of people should make this field their profession.

Since the road looks like a path of roses, the thorns are bound to exist. People who have spent a reasonable amount of time in the profession have a collective thought process that money is on the lower side in the initial stages. The experience against your name will decide the digits of your bank balance, so this career can only fulfill its purpose with constant hard work, passion, dedication and the will to read as well as publish the words that lie in between the lines.
India offers the 3 year course of Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication from premier colleges like MICA, IIMC, SIMC etc. which have produced some of the brightest minds in the competitive world of journalism. Respective University entrance exams and 12th standard percentage contribute for reserving an admission in the same. While curriculum lays the foundation, internships and guidance are the building blocks of this career. Soft skills, Co-curricular activities and right exposure during college days is imperative in deciding the field of interest which includes Content Development, Reporting, Public Relations, Transcribing, Proofreading and many more attractive avenues. Along with the grit and zeal of scaling the learning curve, connectivity with peers and fellow professionals plays a crucial part throughout the journalistic career.
The influence of media in shaping the minds of present and future is unprecedented and journalism continues to be a powerful weapon in preserving the essence of freedom of expression. The education and experience in the field helps to groom the mind and soul of a person into someone who is learned enough to take the mantle of change in their hands to strive for a better future.\