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Journalism Degree Still a Viable Option

These past several years we have watched the slow fade of a once-eminent industry: the newspaper and periodical publishing industries. Newspapers have closed, magazines have shut down; we are observing the slow death of the "dead tree media" as we have known it.

That does not mean the field of journalism is dead. The power of the emerging news and entertainment sources online is illustrated by today's announcement of Jim VandeHei to the Pulitzer Prize Board. He is the co-founder and editor of one of Washington's primary online news sources, Politico.com. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1994 with a journalism degree and moved to Washington, where he wrote for an assortment of special interest newsletters, ultimately covering Capitol Hill for both the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post.

In 2007 he founded Politico with his Washington Post editor and a friend from Time Magazine; the result has been a highly respected and commercially successful online news outlet. It's nice to see an online news entrepreneur be recognized for his success and his company's legitimacy, but what is most relevant to those interested in journalism careers is the fact that after two years in business, Politico.com has 100 employees.

An online publication must have writers, layout designers and graphic artists just as newspapers and magazines do. Someone with a multimedia degree can find a career in online journalism. In the case of this online publication, a graduate in political science or liberal arts might also be considered for employment.

The past generation's journalism graduates broke in to the business with small newspapers or weekly journals. Today people who are interested in writing for a living often cut their teeth on blogs or one of the Internet's content mills such as Ezine or Associated Content. Bloggers with opinions gravitate to political sites.

It's an acknowledged fact that everything happens faster in today's world of instant publication - and often, that applies to personal recognition as well. Good writers and good digital visual artists have instant portfolios for potential employers to click on, giving job searches and interviews a rapid - and different - qualification process. So don't look on good writing or commercial artwork as lost career opportunities. They just aren't printed on paper anymore.

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    University of Phoenix
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  • Ashford University

    Earn the degree you've always wanted at Ashford University. Be empowered with resources to achieve your goals, including an innovative online classroom and a supportive environment. Ashford University is defining the modern college experience.

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  • Full Sail University - Online

    Learning at Full Sail University has always centered around interaction and the exchange of ideas. Our online curriculum fully embraces this philosophy.

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    • New Media Journalism, Master of Science
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  • Art Institute Online

    Develop your creative potential through The Art Institute of Pittsburgh - Online Division where we give you the freedom to decide when and where to attend class.

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    • Photography

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    Art Institute Online
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  • Kaplan University

    Advance your career with an online degree from Kaplan University.

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    • BS in Communication
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale: 6301 Kaplan University Avenue, Fort Lauderdale FL 33309
    Kaplan University
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  • Western International University Interactive Online

    Launch your career in business, behavioral science, or IT with Western International University.

    Programs

    • Bachelor of Science in Business / Minor in Business Communications

    Location: Online

    Western International University Interactive Online
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  • Walden University

    Earn a respected bachelor's degree, master's degree, or Ph.D. online at Walden University.

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    • B.S. in Communication

    Location: Online

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  • Kaplan University International

    Programs

    • BS in Communication/Organizational Communication
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale: 6301 Kaplan University Avenue, Fort Lauderdale FL 33309
    Kaplan University International
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  • Bellevue University

    Bellevue University makes it possible for you to earn a high-quality college degree.

    Programs

    • MA in Managerial Communication
    Location:
    Bellevue: 1000 Galvin Road South, Bellevue NE 68005
    Bellevue University
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  • Spring Arbor University

    Earn your degree at Spring Arbor, Michigan’s largest evangelical Christian university.

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    • Masters of Arts in Communication
    Location:
    Spring Arbor: 106 E. Main St, Spring Arbor MI 49283
    Spring Arbor University
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