2014 Journalism Graduate Skills for the Professional Workplace: Expectations from Journalism Professionals and Educators

Authors

Bernard R. McCoy, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

Spring 4-15-2015

Citation

Bernard R. McCoy. "2014 Journalism Graduate Skills for the Professional Workplace: Expectations from Journalism Professionals and Educators" Journal of Media EducationVol. 6 Iss. 2 (2015)

Comments

Published in April, 2015 Journal of Media Education

Abstract

With 2015 graduations approaching, accuracy, ethical principles, and good news judgment were identified as top skills college journalism graduates should possess for the professional workplace, according to a national survey of journalism educators and professionals. There are sharp differences, though, between respondent groups over how well college journalism programs are doing preparing journalism graduates for journalism careers, as well as the perceived importance of social media, mobile, and digital reporting skills. The survey asked journalism professionals and educators to rank skills and experiences journalism graduates need for the professional workplace. Respondents included 665 professional journalism managers, non-managers, and educators. Respondents identified accuracy, ethical principles, and good news judgment as "very important” skills for graduating journalists to possess. Respondents also ranked digital reporting, mobile, and social media reporting skills as “very important” or “important” for journalism graduates to possess.