January Luncheon Recap: New Thinking and Methods in Communication Education

By Noelle Salerno

The landscape of communication is changing rapidly as technology platforms evolve and as people interact and discover information in new ways.  Our guest and January luncheon panelist, Wanda Cash, Associate Director of the UT School of Journalism, shared how the University of Texas at Austin is changing communications education to fit the needs of today’s graduates while maintaining its ranking as a thought leader in the 21st century. Here are her thoughts as to what the future of communication will look like:

Curriculum is being modernized.
The incoming UT School of Journalism class will have similar courses you and I may remember, but new multimedia platforms will be integrated.  Students will not only learn how to effectively use new technology, they will learn how to use it in a way that engages their community.  Wanda Cash says this is something print newspapers currently lack.  Staff members will also be required to stay up-to-date with new technology.

“Sequences” will be eliminated.
Specialty degrees, such as Photo, Print, and Magazine Journalism will be eliminated.  All graduates will receive a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism.  While these niche classes will still be offered, the college is emphasizing the importance of versatility.  Familiarization with all multimedia platforms will enable students to expand their repertoire and skill sets, making it easier to find a job.

A newsroom is being built.
The UT School of Journalism will open a newsroom this summer, which will provide students the full experience of working in that environment before their first professional career.

Students will be required to create a personal website.
Students will develop their own website to post their resume, showcase their work, and reflect their personal brand.  This is another tool for students that will allow them to thrive in a competitive job market.

Students will be required to complete a professional internship.
Recognizing that real-world application of what is learned in the classroom is key to securing a job, the UT School of Journalism now requires students to complete at least one professional internship during their academic career (students will receive credit hours).  The college has partnered with companies such as KUT, Texas Tribune, Sports Illustrated, and others.

Core journalism values will stay the same.
The core values of integrity, accuracy, attribution, verification, and credibility will not change.  Methods of interviewing, gathering information, and other skills journalists develop will still be included in the curriculum.

As Wanda Cash said, “Storytellers have always been revered.”  Journalists and communicators are not going away, but students and current communicators must learn how to utilize new platforms and apply our skills in a new environment.

Photo uploaded to Flickr Creative Commons.