You’re sitting on the couch, sipping a cup of coffee, flipping through channels and suddenly you see something that touches your nerves. You pick up your phone and ask your friend to switch on the TV and watch the same channel. Now, what just happened? One, something so enticing touched your heart that you felt like sharing it with someone. Second, the other person who is far away from you can feel what you felt at the same time.
Let’s go through a few more examples. Now, who isn’t aware of “Hema, Rekha, Jaya aur Sushma”? Maybe a few of you are even singing this jingle in your head currently. How is it that you and I both know this advertisement? How come a person staying in India is aware of the events taking place in the US? Or the fast paced life we all live in, we may forget our mother’s birthday, but we all know what happened in the Friends episode number 9, season 1. Have you ever paused for a moment and wondered “what made all this possible?”
The answer to all this is Mass Communication – one of the fastest ways to disseminate information. Exactly what I am currently doing, reaching out to so many of you through this blog. Mass communication is woven into our day-to-day life. Besides satisfying our need for entertainment, it informs us, educates us about politics, culture, economy, etc., and the list is never ending. But few of us are still not fully aware of what this powerful medium is all about. There are prevalent myths in our mind regarding this medium which I intend to break today.
MYTH I: Mass Communication! When Will You Be On TV?
Reality: Often, when one talks about the field of Mass Communication, one overlooks the creative minds such as Editors, Directors, Public Relation Experts, etc that work hard to make ideas or characters come alive. All those dialogues that you fall in love with, when Tyrion Lannister speaks in Game of Thrones, or how some startups reach pinnacle while others die without making a ripple, is the combined effort of specialists and the various other forms of media tools that make it possible. This field encompasses an exhausting range of career opportunities, be it in ad agencies, print media (newspaper, magazine, etc), electronic media (TV/Radio), or the new age form of communication, the Internet, and not just reporters and television glamour.
MYTH II: Mass Communication Is Just For Extroverts
Reality: There are domains (in mass communication) that require you to remain seated at your desk, and still create a lasting impact. So if you are someone who can think out of the box, have a flair for writing, good command over a language, and even if that means you are an introvert, you can still look forward to pursuing mass communication as a career, and become part of this industry. Take an example of “J.K Rowling”, who being an introvert not only made a mark for herself with her famous Harry Potter book series but has a huge audience worldwide. It’s time one realises that not all reporters’ like to socialise, and not all writers are reserved.
MYTH III: In Mass Communication, One Doesn’t Have To Study Much
Reality: One of the biggest myths associated with mass communication courses is “enjoy karne ke liye mass communication liya” (you wanted to enjoy, hence you opted for mass communication). Similar to medicine and law, the field of mass communication also involves a never-ending need to stay updated. A person opting a career in mass communication has to not only be acquainted with changes taking place in their field but in other fields as well. Hence, if you are one of those who thinks you don’t have to study much and hence want to join this field then maybe it’s time you reconsider.
Also Read: 5 Popular Myths About A Career in Psychology
MYTH IV: Mass Communication Is Easy!
Reality: So much of work goes behind a short, 15-second advertisement, starting from finding your target audience, to selecting the right media vehicles, then promotions and lastly, feedback from the audience. This field requires much more than rote learning, and it is certainly more than a cake-walk. It’s not enough to just blast information out there. Crafting a message that cuts through the noise and resonates with your target audience requires clear, concise, and engaging messaging that considers the chosen medium and its limitations. You need to capture attention, hold interest, and ultimately achieve your communication goals.
MYTH V: You Have No Future
Reality: Heard of “Jack of all trades, Master of none?” Now many may take this expression negatively, but how can anyone who has skills be incompetent? So to say, studying Mass Communication not only provides students with an opportunity to explore but also experiment in the creative industry such as film-making, advertising, event management or wedding planning etc. It also provides more depth to one’s knowledge of the market, and in this era of 21st century, promotions/advertisement have become an indispensable part of every organisation. Thus, this course is not only rewarding for the student but also the company.
MYTH VI: Mass Communication and Journalism Are The Same
Reality: Mass communication is a broad field encompassing activities like journalism, advertising, public relations, filmmaking, and social media, and focuses on creating, transmitting, and analyzing the impact of messages on a large audience. In contrast, journalism concentrates specifically on news reporting and storytelling, with journalists working to deliver factual information, investigate issues, and hold powerful institutions accountable, all through various media formats.
Well, if mass-communication excites you, and you believe you have the skill-sets, here’s a quick guide to pursuing a career in this field:
Path 1: Pursue graduation in Mass Media and Mass Communication. Some of the good colleges that offer courses in Mass Media & Mass Communication are:
- Indraprastha College for Women (BMMMC) – New Delhi
- Symbiosis Institute of Media & Communication- Pune
- Christ University- Bangalore
- Manipal Institute of Communications- Manipal
- St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai
Path 2: Pursue graduation in any stream, and during your Post-Graduation, opt for a degree in Mass Media & Journalism. Some of the good institutes that offer these programs are:
- Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC)- New Delhi
- Symbiosis Institute of Media & Communication- Pune
- Film and Television Institute of India, Pune
- Christ University- Bangalore
Path 3: Pursue graduation in any stream. Pursue diploma in various fields such as Editing, Direction, Photography, Filmmaking, etc. Some good schools that offer the said programs are:
- Indian Institute of Mass Communication – New Delhi
- Mudra Institute of Communication, Ahmedabad
- Xavier Institute of Communication, Mumbai
- Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media, Bangalore
- Times School of Journalism, New Delhi
We all are curious minds and every form of communication reaches a point of saturation, thus this field provides you with the opportunity to hunt for things that intrigue people. It engulfs tremendous scope within itself, one just needs to have a knack for doing things perfectly, and on time.
Have anything to add to this post? Let us know in the comments.
