Career in Journalism: How an online MA is an ideal option

In a world consumed by information, it is difficult, rather impossible, to escape the news media. While traditional forms of media, such as newspapers, radio, and TV, have existed for ages, the landscape has rapidly shifted with the emergence of digital media platforms. News is now available at the tip of our index finger. 

With this rapid boom in the media industry comes a high surge in demand for journalism graduates — students who have what it takes to deliver information promptly, accurately, responsibly, and ethically. Giving a boost to a lucrative career in Journalism is a Master’s degree in Arts (MA). This blog explores the pathways that an MA opens for Journalism career aspirants and the benefits of pursuing an online MA at Sikkim Manipal University on the Online Manipal platform.   

Is Journalism a good career option?

Absolutely! With the rapid emergence and boom of the digital media industry around us, job prospects for aspiring journalists are definitely on the rise. There are various job opportunities in media today – print and online alike – and the demand for skilled journalists is never exhausting. There is always a need for people with the right sense of news and the ability to express thoughts and ideas in the best possible way to the world at large. As for graduates in Journalism, money is not a constraint for the right candidate who has the potential to articulate and communicate ideas to their audience.

Advantages of pursuing an MA for a Journalism career

Now that you are seriously thinking about pursuing a career in Journalism, it is helpful to know that the first step on this journey is pursuing a Master in Arts course. Online MA programs for aspiring journalists are the perfect choice for a promising career ahead. More specifically, choosing English as a specialization for MA courses at the postgraduate level can go a long way in designing a successful career path in the field of Journalism. Here’s how:

• Provides the right foundation for effective communication: If you are serious about a career in journalism, the very prerequisite is effective communication skills – oral and written. MA English courses provide just the right framework for a solid career in writing, reporting, or editing in the domain of Journalism. 

•  Opens up multiple career pathways: A Master’s degree is your key to career advancement. With an MA in English, you can apply for diverse job roles in the media industry, not just as a journalist, but in public relations, advertising, corporate communications, or copywriting. 

• Helps boost your earning potential: You may be doing well in your career as a journalist, but with a Master’s qualification, you can easily expect a decent hike in pay scales. With an MA in English on your CV, you are likely to secure good salaries and professional growth opportunities in your work arena.

Skills required for a Journalist

Let us now take a quick look at the top 5 desirable skills for journalism aspirants:

• Ability to do thorough research and keen attention to detail
• Effective oral and written communication 
• Strong writing abilities with a particular knack for storytelling
• Logical reasoning 
• Critical analysis and problem-solving

It is worth mentioning here that these are the same skills and knowledge gained through online MA courses offered by Sikkim Manipal University on the Online Manipal portal. This explains the relevance of pursuing an online MA for Journalism aspirants.

Different Journalist roles

After completing an online MA course, you can consider a variety of lucrative career roles in journalism. The table below lists a few of them and their corresponding salaries for your reference.

 Journalist salary in India

As per the table above, the average annual salaries of professionals in the field of Journalism may vary from one role to another. However, for a general idea, it may be stated that the general range of pay for the role of a journalist in India is estimated at INR 6,70,572 per annum. This is an average estimate for reference purposes only and is likely to vary according to several factors, including location, qualification, and experience.

How an MA in English can help explore a career in Journalism

As mentioned in the blog earlier, an MA in English can be a very good subject choice for careers in Journalism. This is because the curriculum taught in MA English courses is directly relevant to the key skills desired in a journalistic role. Moreover, plenty of career opportunities and pathways will likely open up in Journalism with an online MA course. A few examples have already been shared in this blog. 

The competencies that MA English courses help develop in students are perfect for pursuing a career as a writer, editor, or reporter in the field of Journalism. Additionally, a Master’s degree grants advanced knowledge and specialization in the domain, along with boosting chances at better jobs and higher pay scales.

Conclusion

A career in Journalism can be the perfect choice for several students with a keen passion for expressing themselves through words. Adding an excellent touch of expertise to this is a Master’s in Arts in English, which provides specialized skills in written and oral communication, thereby helping graduates to easily follow their dream jobs in the journalism arena. Sikkim Manipal University offers online MA in English courses on the Online Manipal portal. Students can pursue the course online at a time and place comfortable for them and look forward to rewarding careers in Journalism upon course completion.