Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Sports Journalism Programs Teach Specific Skills That Are Necessary to Succeed

"The biggest selling feature of the program is we’re all about reality,” says Malcolm Kelly, the coordinator of the Sports Journalism program at Centennial College in Toronto, Ont. "We are teaching students print, online, radio and television through the 12 courses that you take here. So when you go out, you’re going out with the largest toolbox you possibly can. And as our world as journalists change, we need to offer those opportunities. The thing I enjoy most about teaching the program is the spirit. Obviously, if you have a group of people interested in sports journalism, being taught by a bunch of people who were in sports journalism, you get an awful lot of spirit in the classroom. And I think that’s very important because the desire to learn is just as important as the need to learn.”

Kelly does a great job of showcasing the wonderful features and atmosphere of this three-semester Graduate Certificate sports journalism program. Let’s take a closer look at some of its specifics. Applicants to program must submit an official transcript demonstrating proof of the successful completion of a post-secondary diploma or degree program in any discipline. In addition applicants must attend an admission session during which they will: undergo a resumé review, submit a portfolio, to include a minimum of three pieces of published or unpublished work; complete a writing test (for applicants who do not have a degree or diploma in journalism). The Sports Journalism program will consider applicants who present at least two years of post secondary in combination with relevant experience in the field of journalism.

Once accepted, students will participate in a number of courses geared to develop their: sports writing for print, radio, TV, online and multiplatform media; advanced interviewing techniques; sports beat reporting, statistics and imaging; and sports history, culture and business. Among these Sports Journalism courses are: Sports Writing and Sports Experience, Sports Interviewing and Beat Reporting, Sports in Canada: The Field of Play, The Sportscast, Total Sports: Stats and Research, The Business of Sports, and many more. In addition, students develop a portfolio of published pieces and attend an industry field placement that will see them working for a newspapers, magazine, TV station, radio station or online outlet. They will work alongside seasoned professionals who have been in sports journalism for years, allowing them to gain new knowledge and network. Some students are even hired on full-time once their field placement is over.

Upon graduation, students go on to work at an outlet of your choice in a particular area of journalism. You may start out as a beat writer for a newspaper before working your way up to a sports editor position. Another option is to work in TV, where you may start out as a chase producer before working your way up to a reporter position. There are also places for those who graduate from the Sports journalism program in online outlets, newspapers, blogs, and more.

No comments:

Post a Comment