A
Winnipeg Free Press article yesterday has sparked a vigorous debate.
Got the degree … Now what? by Sarah Petz features five graduates from Winnipeg’s
three universities and one from Red River College. Check out the comments section under the
story.
The
burden of Petz’s piece is that many university graduates are learning that
their education does not translate into an immediate job.
I
didn’t think that was news, but I guess it is, at least once a year at
convocation season.
On
the other hand, Pamela Wankling, the RRC grad– from the Creative Communications
program, in which I teach journalism – is already working in her field of
public relations.
That’s
not news, either. Thirty-five of the approximately 70 CreComm students who will
receive their diplomas next week (that’s half of them, or 50 per cent, for the
math-challenged) are already working in their fields. Many are employed in
Manitoba, while others have landed jobs in Ontario and Alberta.
Based
on the market demand, instructors are confident that many of these students’
fellow grads will be working in their fields soon.
I
can’t resist an aside. To those people who have been announcing that journalism
is dead: Think again.
Graduating
CreComm journalism majors are grabbing jobs in television, radio, newspapers
and online, in traditional companies and in brand-new ones.
That
means a college diploma is “better” or more valuable than a university degree,
right?
Not
really. They’re different creatures.
A
university education encourages critical thinking and broadened interests. A
college diploma builds job-specific skills. Together they make an ideal
combination.
Want
a job in journalism or in almost any other field? Get a university degree. Then
come to college.
