What "School of Communications" Really Means
I love film school! I love journalism school! I love when two completely different things are in one building!
Earlier today, I was talking to a friend of mine about how most of my news has come from my peers who want to break into the network TV news industry. He reciprocated the feeling and remarked that he can’t remember the last time he got his news from a student at our school. It’s a bit of a weird feeling because I tell people that I’m a “diet film” major studying television production, but my school as a whole considers itself a “communications school.”
It’s a funny term. “Communications school.” The one program that’s ragged on at other schools is our flagship program next to musical theatre and physical therapy, but the name itself still just as vague here as it is in most places in America. We have everything from film and TV to journalism and advertising. Anything that involves communicating something to another, we probably have it.
To the average person this doesn’t sound like something to be concerned over. After all, it’s not like it’s my life now? It’s going to be my life in the future!
Which is exactly why I’m concerned. The culture at a communications school kind of teaches you that this is going to be your life and you better get used to it. The same peers you’re cracking cold ones with at that one apartment party you met at is going to be the same person giving you the news at home on your TV before you go to work at a small production company.
Communications school is more than just learning how people communicate. It’s film school, journalism school, and then some all in one place. There’s not many places that do it like communications schools, but the fact that it’s my life now and potentially my life forever is a little... yeah.
I mean, I’m not that concerned, but it’s a valid thought to have when everyone is inexperienced, including yourself. How do you know that what you’re listening is correct if you don’t bother? But at the same time, you don’t have that much time anyway because it all goes to extracurriculars and studying.
It’s probably a me problem if we’re being honest. After all, most of those people get their news through AP ENPS anyway.
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