A Brief History of Medill

In 1881, a twenty-something named George L. Fuchs founded the American Magazine Publishing Company and named it after himself. Fuchs’ magazine, the Blue Book, became an immediate hit. But Fuchs was no ordinary publisher; he was a lawyer by trade and a German immigrant. He began seeing the publishing world as a way to make a difference in the country he settled in, the U.S.

Not long after, Fuchs sold the company and went on to start another one. This time, he named it after himself and his only daughter, Medill. The new company was called the George L. Fuchs Company, and it distributed textbooks and school supplies in the Midwest. In 1899, the company spun off a business magazine called the Commercial and Financial Chronicle. The magazine would later be renamed the New York Times. Its popularity would grow and it would become the largest circulating business newspaper in the country, eventually surpassing all competitors combined. It still publishes today. We’re sure you’re wondering: How does all this relate to the title of this article?

The Rise of the Interweb

At the turn of the 20th century, the rise of the internet was just around the corner. Back then, people used to connect to the web on tiny, flickering black-and-white televisions. Today, we are constantly bombarded with internet advertisements, social media updates, and blogs. It’s safe to assume that the internet had a major impact on Fuchs’ decision to create a school of journalism. In 1914, Medill opened the doors to its first college class. Today, Medill’s online master’s program is one of the largest in the country. More than 5,000 students from around the world have participated in the program’s six years of existence.

The Transformative Power of Technology

Since its founding, Medill’s goal has been to educate people about the power of the media. And who better to educate people on this subject than the students themselves? That’s why every year, the school hosts the New York Times Best Student Essay and New York Times Best Student Blog Awards. Last year, the school received more than 1,500 entries for the Best Student Essay competition. And there are now over 30 student-produced blogs at Medill.

What’s important is that technologies like blogging and social media help create a space for students to practice their craft and get experience, no matter whether or not they choose to go into journalism. Technology also allows for the dissemination of information in ways that were not previously possible. It’s no wonder that Fuchs chose to name his new school after himself and his beloved daughter. In today’s world, a newspaper is still regarded as a medium of great power. But in 1899, a business magazine was still considered a pretty cool thing to have on your résumé. In other words, the world has changed, but the name of Medill’s university program hasn’t. Not yet, anyway.

The Importance of Experience

You might be asking yourself right now: Isn’t getting a graduate degree in journalism all about learning how to write well and doing lots of proofreading? Maybe, but you’d be missing out on a lot if you didn’t include some practical experience in your studies. Fortunately, there are plenty of opportunities for you to gain real-world experience. In some cases, you can even get paid to do it. In other words, don’t just study the theory of journalism; become a working journalist and learn on the job.

The Media Industry in 2019

If you’re interested in a career in journalism, it’s crucial to keep in mind the evolving state of the industry. With the rise of the influencer and the increase of citizen journalists, the line between “traditional journalists” and “entrepreneurship” has blurred. Plus, the whole world is a journalist’s oyster nowadays. As a result of the growing number of platforms and the decreasing cost of entry, anyone with a decent camera, an eye for photography, and a little bit of creativity can potentially become a journalist. This poses a problem for universities like Medill, which aim to teach practical skills as well as theory.

Luckily, it doesn’t have to be a problem. You can still study at a reputable university and gain relevant job experience. And if you have a look at the job market, you’ll see that there’s plenty of opportunity for practically minded graduates. For example, if you study business, you’ll have the chance to work for a major corporation or a leading public relations agency. Or, if you go into marketing, there will likely be a range of jobs available to you, from in-house marketing roles to agency marketing director jobs. Alternatively, if you study computer science or information technology, you’ll have the opportunity to land a role in the field of IT, where you can help support the operations of a company.

The Changing Media Landscape

As we’ve established, the world of journalism is constantly evolving in response to the changing technologies and platforms that influence and inform our lives. One of the biggest changes has been the transition from newspapers to online media. Today, online journalism is practiced and studied at the highest academic levels. The reason for this is that it is a highly effective medium for disseminating news and information, and one that is accessible to all people, no matter their social status. And what’s more, with the increasing number of fake news articles and influencer-spammed news stories, credibility is more important than ever.

Another significant development in modern journalism is the rise of social media and its impact on how news stories are reported and how consumers receive them. Thanks to platforms like Twitter and Instagram, breaking news stories are shared and received much more quickly than before. As a result, platforms like Twitter have had to change their algorithms to deal with the influx of breaking news stories. This means that anyone with a big enough following can potentially influence the news that gets broadcast. And the media landscape is constantly evolving to keep up with these changes.

The Ultimate Guide to Getting into Journalism

So, you’ve decided that you want to be a working journalist. Congratulations! But, before you start applying for jobs, there are a few things you need to do first. First, get a qualification. The New York Times and similar publications usually require a journalism degree. But, if you want to work for smaller publications or as a freelancer, you don’t necessarily need a degree to get started. Instead, you can gain experience by completing a relevant course, such as mass communication or digital marketing. And if you need extra cash, you can always find freelance opportunities, or even get paid to do some work for publications. Second, find a mentor. It’s always a good idea to have someone to guide you along the way. Even if you’ve been doing this for work for several years, it never hurts to have a fresh set of eyes looking over your shoulder. Third, build your portfolio. Once you have a qualification and a few relevant courses under your belt, it’s time to start applying for jobs. Start with smaller magazines and newspapers first, as you don’t want to overwhelm yourself. Look for jobs in your local area, as you’ll have more opportunities there. Also, try to stay away from online recruitment, as the job search can be heavily filtered by algorithms. Instead, look for jobs through a newspaper or magazine’s direct mailing list.