what's a good major for a journalist? -- Virtually Advising Q+A

The Q: I want to be a journalist in the future, specfically in print journalism. However, I feel like maybe I shouldn't major in journalism for undergrad and rather focus on a specific topic. My dream is to go to graduate school at Columbia. Yes, I know it's really not needed to get a good job, but it's something personal I would like to accomplish. However, I find it rather stupid to major in the same thing twice. What I'm trying to ask is, do you know of any other majors I could take on that will help in the future of my journalism career?

The A: Seven of my students have graduated from the college where I teach -- Fordham College at Lincoln Center in Manhattan -- and gone on to Columbia's graduate journalism program. Of that group, I have to say that most were communications majors with a focus on print journalism. However, one was an economics major and another was an English major, so I wouldn't say that a person's choice of major plays a determining role in whether she makes it into Columbia.

By comparison, all seven of those students were involved with the campus paper. Most of them started in various spots and ended up as editors in chief. One finished as a sports editor, one was a features editor and a sampling were long-term reporters.

My advice is that you should follow what seems to be your inclination: major in something else, something you're genuinely interested in and that you might find useful if you choose to specialize as a journalist. Among the common choices are political science, English and economics. A more uncommon choice, but a good one nonetheless, would be a science of some sort: There is a sore deficit of science journalists, and a science background, while not absolutely required of a future science journalist, sure doesn't hurt.

Meanwhile, I'm sure you don't need me to tell you this, but when you start college, get involved in your campus newspaper. Look for other related experiences both on and off campus, too. They will do as much as classes will, if not more, to help you prepare for a journalstic career.

Best of luck,

—Elizabeth Stone, Media Advisor