Journalism is one of the most sought-after professions today. Thousands of graduates in India start their careers in this media field every year.
Therefore, pursuing a goal like journalism early in your career is always a good practice, and there can’t be a better time to pursue your professional studies than right after 12th grade.
In this blog, we shall unveil the top 10 journalism courses after 12th grade; you should definitely keep them on your list.
The Benefits of Pursuing Journalism Courses After 12th Grade
Before we dive into the main subject, it is essential to understand the benefits of pursuing the journalism course after the 12th. There are many benefits to pursuing a professional journalism course after 12th grade.
First and foremost, the most crucial benefit is that you build a solid foundation for journalism at the very beginning of your career, which will make you job-ready when you enter this profession and navigate the challenges associated with ease.
Besides these, the other benefits are as follows:
Network Connections
Good professional connections are an asset in this competitive journalism landscape. They let you maneuver the nuance of this field through building social connections with professors, lecturers, college alumni, colleagues (future journalists), and some of the esteemed figures in journalism.
The pro of building such connections is that you build your reputation in their eyes, and this helps you land better jobs by attaining sound recommendations. There are many in this field who can’t just make it big because of their poor connections and relations with their colleagues and teaching staff.
Today, network connections are more common through the internet than in person, which allows you to connect with esteemed people from afar.
Builds Confidence
Early training in renowned institutes like AAFT University exposes students to the real newsroom environment through mock newsrooms, debate competitions, and interviews. This further instils confidence and prepares them to build successful careers in a competitive work culture.
There are many aspirants who can’t make it big in journalism just because they cannot communicate and perform face-to-face interviews confidently. However, with the right institute, you can precisely navigate this challenge.
Commitment To Work
Young minds have the energy and are more committed to their work. They have a vision and pathway to attain early success in their careers. For this, they work hard day and night with unwavering dedication to build a solid foundation.
Later, they can seamlessly fulfil the challenges of journalism, which helps them gain a promotion at a younger age than aspirants who have started later. They can easily manage the stress associated with the journalist’s job, which becomes very challenging as time progresses.
Furthermore, this also helps them manage the hardships of their personal lives.
Top 10 Journalism Courses After 12th Worth Considering Bachelors in Journalism Courses
A bachelor’s degree in journalism is a practical journalism course after 12th grade for those who want to pursue a bright career in print, online, and audiovisual media in culture, entertainment, business, and politics.
The bachelor’s degree journalism courses after 12th aim to develop core news gathering, reporting, and storytelling skills, produce engaging stories, write press releases and advertising copies, and employ crucial field-oriented technologies.
After successfully completing this course, you can pursue a master’s in journalism or do a journalism job to attain relevant experience for early promotions, boosting your professional portfolio. Here are the top recommended courses students can check out after completing their 12th.
| Course | Description | Duration of the Course |
|---|---|---|
| B.A. in Journalism | Develop reporting, writing, and research skills to inform the public through various media. | 3 years |
| Bachelor in Journalism and Mass Communication | Combines journalism skills with broader mass media studies like video or advertising. | 3 years |
| B.A. in Mass Media | Explores the creation and distribution of content across various media platforms. | 3 years |
| B.A. in Journalism and Communication Studies | Analyzes communication theories alongside practical journalism skills. | 3 years |
| B.A. in Scriptwriting | Focuses on the art and craft of writing scripts for movies, TV shows, or plays. | 3 years |
| B.Sc. in Mass Communication, Journalism and Advertising | Applies scientific methods to media creation, journalism, and advertising strategies. | 3 years |
| B.Sc. in Mass Communication and Journalism | Combines scientific and technical aspects of media with journalism skills. | 3 years |
| Bachelor in Media Science | Studies the technical and social aspects of how media shapes society. | 3 years |
If you want to advance your career in journalism research, the master’s in journalism courses are best suited for getting to the higher hierarchy levels in your early profession. Their classes delve deep into the field and teach you complex concepts and intricate details so you can develop problem-solving skills when needed.
Diploma Courses in Journalism After 12th
While bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism are great ways to form the foundation for a brighter career, diploma journalism courses after the 12th grade cater to aspirants seeking to learn the basic levels of the field before entering the professional center stage.
These diploma courses are designed for easy learning without going deeper into the concepts but with a conclusive understanding to ensure you don’t miss anything.
There are plenty of diploma courses today when we talk about journalism, and while we go further with time and technological advancement, you may find more diploma courses emerging. Some of the top diploma courses you can pursue after 12th grade are as follows:
Diploma in Journalism: It provides core writing, research, and reporting skills for careers in news writing, online content creation, or public relations.
Diploma in Creative Multimedia and Journalism: It combines journalism essentials with multimedia skills like video editing, animation, or graphic design to create engaging news stories for online platforms.
Diploma in Creative Media Production (Broadcast Journalism): This diploma journalism course after the 12th focuses on crafting news content for TV or radio. You’ll learn reporting, scriptwriting, on-camera presence, and media production techniques.
Diploma in Documentary Photography: You will develop storytelling skills through powerful visuals. You’ll learn photography techniques, documentary project development, and ethical considerations for capturing real-life stories.
Diploma in Photojournalism: This program trains you to capture newsworthy events and social issues through impactful photography. You will hone your technical and photo-editing skills and understand the ethical principles of photojournalism.
Skills Required to Become a Journalist
Undoubtedly, journalism courses after the 12th lay the crucial cornerstone to pursuing a bright career in journalism, although they still need to be completed with the requisite skills. Combining courses with the right skills forms the complete package for your journalism career. Here is a list of the top 10 skills you should require in order to excel in a competitive market.
1. Communication Skills: Communication skills are the foundation of journalism. Journalists must clearly explain complex issues, conduct interviews, and write compelling stories in various formats to inform audiences.
2. Perfection: Young aspirants are enthusiastic about their careers. However, it is important to prioritise quality over speed. You should learn from mistakes and maintain a high standard of work while striving for accuracy.
3. Error-Proof Work: You should be able to meticulously edit and fact-check to ensure their work is accurate, free of typos, and uphold the publication’s standards.
4. Persistence: You must chase leads, overcome interview rejections, and dig until they uncover the complete story. For this, you should be persistent across all stages of your journalism career.
5. Research Skills: Research skills are mandatory for journalists. You should be adaptable at finding reliable sources, evaluating information, and building strong arguments.
6. Digital Literacy: In today’s time, digitization literacy is a mandatory skill in journalism and every field you pursue today. You must understand social media, content creation tools, and online research platforms, which are crucial for modern journalists.
7. Logical Reasoning and Objectivity: You should be able to analyze information critically, separate fact from opinion, and present stories fairly and accurately.
8. Investigative Reporting: You should use research, interviews, and public records to expose wrongdoing, hold influential people accountable, and bring depth to complex issues.
9. Problem-Solving Skills: Journalists face unexpected challenges, from accessing information to technical difficulties. Therefore, creativity and problem-solving skills are essential, as they can help you land a higher-salary job with a wider scope of promotions.
10. Ethical Journalism Skills: Lastly, it’s not just about skills and knowledge; ethics are also crucial to the novel field of journalism. You should be able to uphold principles of truth and fairness and avoid conflicts of interest. They maintain public trust by being ethical and transparent.
Conclusion
Launching a journalism career straight out of 12th grade is a strategic decision! This blog unpacks the top journalism courses after the 12th to build your foundation in this exciting field. Building a solid academic base is undoubtedly crucial, but remember, journalism thrives on more than just textbooks.
Cultivate a robust skillset—hone your communication, research, and digital literacy to stand out.
Whether you’re drawn to crafting captivating narratives for print media or envision yourself delivering impactful stories on camera, there’s a journalism path waiting for you. Explore the options, identify your strengths, and embark on a journey of storytelling, investigation, and informing the public.
With the proper preparation and an ethical approach, a rewarding career in journalism can be yours!