Why Major in Journalism

Students who study journalism at UConn sharpen their research and critical thinking skills. They strengthen their writing and verbal communication skills and are emboldened to ask questions and challenge authority. A journalism education is an education in non-fiction storytelling, information literacy and civics. It helps students develop and use their individual voices in service to the public.

 

At UConn, journalism students don’t just theorize about how to research, interview, write, photograph, record audio and video, and edit. They are expected as part of their coursework to go out and practice these skills in the field, and produce news content that follows professional standards of accuracy and ethics. Diversity is a foundational element in all UConn Journalism courses.

We strongly recommend all our journalism majors pursue internships before they graduate. We also help our students to get their journalistic work professionally published by local, regional and national news organizations. All journalism majors produce a professional portfolio of their journalistic work through as part of their graduation requirements.

UConn Journalism is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism & Mass Communications. We are the only nationally accredited program in New England.

Students who aspire to contribute to democracy in the U.S. and around the world can do so by becoming journalists. Journalism skills are also life skills, transferable to any industry or situation. A double major in journalism complements any other discipline.

Transferrable Career Skills

A UConn Journalism education strongly supports these career competencies:

Communication

The ability to clearly and effectively exchange information, ideas, facts, and perspectives with persons inside and outside of an organization.

Critical Thinking

Being able to identify and respond to needs based on an understanding of situational and logical analysis of relevant information.

Equity and Inclusion

Demonstrating the awareness, knowledge, and skills required to engage and include people from different local and global cultures.

Professionalism

Recognize that work environments vary widely, demonstrate effective work habits, and act in the best interests of the broader community and workplace.

Teamwork

Build and maintain collaborative relationships to work effectively toward common goals, while valuing diverse perspectives and shared responsibilities.

Technology

The ability to understand and leverage current and emerging technologies ethically to enhance efficiencies, complete tasks, and accomplish goals.

Job titles of UConn Journalism alumni

UConn Journalism alumni are in demand. They are employed as journalists and editors. They work in production and other roles for media companies, as well as in adjacent communications careers and industries. Here is a sampling of UConn Journalism alumni job titles, as of April 2024:

  • Graphics/Multimedia Editor at The New York Times
  • Trending and Breaking News Reporter - USA TODAY
  • Director of Innovation & Growth at Grist
  • 4pm 7pm and 11pm anchor at NBC New York
  • Deputy Director of News Talent Acquisition & Development for McClatchy
  • Photographer at FOX 61 News
  • News Producer, KTUU/KYES, Anchorage, Alaska
  • Senior Vice President of Content Strategy at Complex Media
  • Host and Creator of Complex's "Sneaker Shopping"
  • Assistant Editor at Newsday
  • Senior Reporter at HuffPost
  • Deputy Managing Editor for Investigations, The Post & Courier
  • Senior Writer and Communications Associate at Northeastern University
  • Policy Reporter at ABC News
  • Comms + Content at Expedia Group
  • Director of Athletic Communications at Manhattanville College
  • Teacher at Miss Porter's School
  • Content Specialist at DraftKings, Inc.
  • Television Producer at WBZ  Boston
  • Associate Producer at CBS Interactive
  • Red Sox Beat Writer for The Boston Herald
  • Director of MFA in Film, Television & Digital Media, University of Georgia
  • New London Bureau Chief at WFSB-TV
  • Executive Speechwriter, California Dept. of Justice
  • Radio Host at Fox Sports Radio
  • Corporate Communications Coordinator at JetBlue
  • Digital Customer Communications Manager at Eversource
  • Manager, Google Health at Google
  • Managing Editor at BroadwayWorld.com
  • Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia
  • Manager of Audience Engagement at The Connecticut Mirror
  • Host of 'The Wheelhouse' on Connecticut Public WNPR
  • Social Media Video Producer, TODAY at NBC News
  • Director of Public Relations at Community Change
  • Field Producer at CNBC
  • Reporter at The Wall Street Journal
  • Global Brand Experience & Events at Calvin Klein
  • Washington Correspondent, Telemundo
  • Editor at Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation
  • Associate Producer at CBS Interactive
  • Feature producer at ESPN
  • Food Reporter at Hearst Connecticut Media Group
  • Communications Specialist, Eviction Lab at Princeton University
  • Press aide for Connecticut Senate Democrats
  • ESPN Social Media Specialist
  • Deputy Editor at The Ringer
  • Digital Producer, Streaming, CBS New York
  • Reporter at ProPublica
  • Senior Producer, ESPN
  • Reporter/Producer at MLB
  • Senior Manager, Influencer & Celebrity Partnerships at HelloFresh 
  • Associate Producer at Sesame Workshop
  • Multimedia Journalist at WFSB News
  • Sales Team Lead at TikTok
  • Senior Program Manager, Supplier Diversity & Product Sustainability, Nordstrom
  • Green Energy Reporter at Associated Press
  • Lead Producer at Miami Dolphins
  • Director of Communications for Senator Richard Blumenthal
  • Assignment Editor at Denver7 (ABC)
  • Deputy Director of Audience, NYT Opinion
  • Producer/Editor at NBC News
  • Senior Correspondent at Reuters Chile Bureau
  • Senior Manager, Social Media for Boston Celtics
  • Harvard Business School Digital Engagement Manager
  • Attorney at Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers
  • Senior Director of Corporate Communications, Travelers
  • Deputy Legislative Director at State of Connecticut - Office of the Governor

Cultural Fluency

Cultural fluency is a foundational element in all UConn Journalism courses. The UConn Journalism Department strongly encourages students to seek out assignment ideas and journalistic experiences that will help them hear, understand and tell the stories of people whose circumstances or backgrounds are unlike their own. Cultural fluency includes areas such as race, gender identity, ethnicity, native language, citizenship status, age, physical or mental or emotional challenges, educational level and political views, among others.