What's it like to be in that major? cont'd...
Print Journalism Major
Senior Joy Kowald is a print journalism major, and has always had a background in the news industry.The journalism major allows for many different areas of study. Students can either go into print or broadcast journalism or advertising. Each major has its own unique qualities. Print journalism and advertising majors get involved with the UW-Whitewater student newspaper, the Royal Purple. Broadcast majors get involved with the university radio station, 91.7 “The Edge,” and the cable station, “UW-Cable 19.” Many students have their own radio shows and even TV shows through these resources.
“My dad works in the broadcast news field, and I've always been kind of a news junky because of that,” Kowald said.
She said the main areas in her majors were putting out publications, which included a vast array of components.
“Editing and writing are the most obvious aspects of print journalism,” she said. “Ethics to go along with those.”
The major wasn’t something she was always interested in but decided to try it out.
“I took an intro class, and I liked how that went,” she said. “I appreciate newspapers and magazines.”
Kowald chose an art minor because it centered around photography and some graphics and worked nicely.
“It's pretty obvious how that ties into becoming a photojournalist,” Kowald said.
Kowald is the photo editor for the Royal Purple. She said being a part of the paper helped her to learn the major more in depth.
She enjoys “all the work that goes into making a publication come alive.”
“It's so much more work that anyone would ever imagine,” Kowald said.
Kowald didn’t have much journalism experience in her past studies but she did take photography classes. Photography is a passion and feels very lucky to be able to make a career of taking photos. She is able to infuse her journalism and photography skills for her future career goal to work in publication photography.
“I like photography, so photo journalist fits really well,” Kowald said.
As far as advice for newer majors, she said there was importance in variety of teachers and classes.
“Take a variety of professors in different age groups, it makes a big difference, because their view of the industry will vary and it’s good to have a variety,” she said. “Take as many odd classes for your electives.”
Students can contact the Chair of the Communication Department Barbara Penington at 262-472-1983, or by e-mail at uwwcomm@uww.edu, with more questions. Students looking to join the Royal Purple newspaper can contact Editor in Chief Michael Gouvion at GouvionM31@uww.edu.
