Switch Career Paths by Attending a Fast-Track Journalism Program
Adam McDowell is a reporter for the National Post. After considering a number of journalism schools,
Adam chose the post-graduate journalism program at Centennial College
to start his career. “I would wholeheartedly recommend Centennial
College to anyone looking for a career in journalism,” he says. “Among
the program’s many strengths, credit has to be given, above all, to its
dedicated and demanding instructors, who set high expectations for their
students. [It’s] the best kind of preparation for a tough, competitive
field.”
Adam’s testimonial highlights how dedicated the teachers
in the undertaking are, but like he mentioned the program has many other
strengths. First and foremost, this journalism program only takes two
years to complete, which allows students to partake in intense and
quick-paced study that is not much different from the real world of
journalism. The area of study isn’t focus on one form of journalism,
instead, students obtain the know-how to work at magazines, newspapers,
TV, radio and even online.
More specifically, within the
journalism program students: learn to write and tell stories in an
energetic, dynamic and hands-on environment, led by a faculty of
seasoned professionals and educators; develop a portfolio of published
stories and photos as they apply their skills in a real newsroom,
writing for an online publication and a community newspaper; develop new
multi-platform and online skills for the evolving world of news
reporting. These skills are achieved through specifically-developed
courses that focus on topics such as: journalism design, news reporting,
introduction to online news, journalism law and ethics,
magazine/freelance journalism, advanced interviewing techniques, radio
news, multiplatform journalism and many others.
As mentioned
above, students obtain real-life experience by participating in the
development of a community paper, called The East Toronto Observer and
its online edition, The Toronto Observer. In addition, students of this
journalism program gain access to extensive publishing, broadcast and
interactive facilities at The Centre for Creative Communications campus.
This allows them to practice in their own time. Once they have had a
sample of what to expect from the field, students participate in a final
semester 15-week placement. During this portion of Centennial College’s
journalism school, students work alongside professional staff in a
commercial media outlet or communications agency. To qualify for
placement, a student must have passed every course required in previous
semesters.
Centennial College’s fast-track journalism program
requires applicants to submit an official transcript demonstrating proof
of successful completion of a post-secondary diploma or degree program.
Also considered will be applicants presenting a combination of partial
post-secondary education (minimum of two years) and relevant work
experience. In addition, students must either submit a portfolio of
Journalism related work along with a resume and references (this should
include 6 to 10 samples); or attend a program admission session where
they will: complete a two-part writing test; submit a portfolio of six
to eight pieces that may include academic essay extracts or creative
writing; and submit an up-to-date resumé.
Companies that have hired Centennial College journalism program graduates include: NOW Magazine, Oshawa This Week, 680 News, Toronto Star, TSN, and many others.