Why did I choose Broadcast Communication:
At the time I was filling out college application forms, I was strongly considering studying law afterwards. So I decided to pick a pre-law course that would allow me to have a back up plan just in case I would change my mind before law school.
About my college education:
Without batting an eyelash, I can definitely say that taking BA Broadcast Communication in UP Mass Comm was lots of fun. We got to experience the behind the scenes (and on-cam talent!) work of television and radio production as early as our second year. We got to write, shoot, direct, and act on our very own programs. When we got to our third year, we started developing our tracks, or our fields of concentration. The Department offers lots of electives for students to take - whether it be in research, performance arts, broadcast journalism, or even just a generic jack-of-all-trades media scholar.
The course easy in the sense that you don't have to memorize formulas and read a lot of articles. However, it can get pretty tedious since you always have to prepare for productions almost every week. This involves writing scripts, creating back drops for production design, covering press events, filming video sequences, interviewing celebrities, and practicing performance routines. Plus, the professors tend to have pretty high standards and they don't accept "first timers" as an excuse for not doing your work well.
But don't be discouraged. I find that a little bit of resourcefulness and people skills go a long way in excelling in the course. There will be many times that students will find themselves in group works, that's why being a team player is definitely a must in this course. Also, as I think goes without saying but I'll mention it anyway, the ability to communicate is essential.
My current job:
I am currently a full time law student, but before I enrolled, I worked as a Social Media Producer for an online news website.
Am I using what I learned in college:
Yes, definitely. But again, like what I have said above, more than the technical skills of being a media student, it's the life skills I've learned from UP that really helped in my engagements so far.
For example, in my life in law school, I've appreciated the fact that I've gotten used to stressful environments. During productions, my Mass Comm professors would scream at us whenever we did something wrong so we wouldn't repeat our mistakes. True enough, that fear of getting embarrassed continues to push me to be the best student I can be.
I've also gotten used to dealing with difficult people. Especially in law school, wherein we come from different backgrounds, it's not unusual to have a weird classmate or two. But working in media has taught me to reach out to different kinds of people, and I have practiced that ever since.
The versatility of a Mass Comm graduate has also come into play during my previous job. Even if I was, by job description, a social media producer, I also became an editor, a news reporter, a photo editor, and an SEO (search engine optimizer). I learned to be flexible on the job. It also comes into being a team player, because I had the initiative to take these different roles even if not called upon - just for the benefit of a better team output.
Finally, I can say that because of the competitive nature of the university in general, I've learned to always yearn for excellence. I make sure that the products I release are 100% accurate and as perfect as it can be.
How long did it take to find a job:
Actually, I already had a job even before I graduated. The company where I had my internship offered me my first job two months before college graduation.
Do I recommend studying Broadcast Communication:
Yes, the course will give you lots of opportunities in different fields. From my batch alone, I know some are working for news agencies, advertising agencies, media corporations, production outfits, and even the government! Because the people value the presence of media in society, there will never be a shortage of jobs for a BA Broad Comm graduate.
Honestly, the starting salary of arts majors can be pretty low, compared to business majors. However, the hours would generally tend to be more flexible than the 8-5 jobs. As such, you can always find other ways to get extra cash, as in finding "rackets." Also, another plus side is that there will always be mobility, whether upwards towards a promotion; or sideways to another job that would be more beneficial for you.
Advice to people who are thinking of studying this course:
Make connections as early as possible, and make sure never to burn bridges. You will never know what kind of person you'll need to interview for a paper, or what kind of favors you'll need in this course. But also, make sure to also keep your end of every bargain. Be accommodating towards your classmate's requests because you're all in there together, anyway.
Be resourceful. They say production work is expensive, but it doesn't have to be.
Also, it is a good investment to join student organizations. They are your immediate back up and emergency routes.
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