The FGCU Journalism degree program prepares students for media careers in which they will be expected to report, edit and present high-quality journalism for a variety of platforms—including newspapers, magazines, audio, video and Internet-based technologies—and for a combination of these formats.
The program emphasizes clear writing, factual accuracy, critical thinking, ethical and legal principles, social consciousness, technological skill, and practical, hands-on reporting and editing experience. Students will develop an awareness of the role of journalism in a democratic society and think critically about emerging issues in journalism and mass media.
Career Information:
With a journalism degree, students are prepared to work in the following jobs:
- Reporter for online news source
- Copywriter or editor
- On-air reporter for television news station
- Producer, videographer or editor for television news station or online news source
- Photojournalist
- Social media specialist
- Digital news graphic designer
"As a reporter at NBC News Digital, I still use tools I learned while in the J-program.
The hands-on guidance I received from my professors helped focus talents I already
had and sharpen areas where I needed more work. Today, whether I’m reporting from
my desk or out in the field, I’m using those skills on my beat as a staff reporter
covering youth and activism for NBC News." ~ Kalhan Rosenblatt, NBC New Digital
Data about post-graduation employment (From Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce):
- Journalism graduates can expect to earn about $51,000 a year. (Median salary, full-time, full-year workers with a terminal bachelor’s).
- Salaries from the 25th percentile and the 75th percentile range from $35,000 a year to $80,000 a year.
- According to glassdoor, starting annual salaries for journalists average about $36,000.
FGCU Journalism BA Alumni:
- Kalhan Rosenblatt, Reporter for NBC News, New York
- Alex Pena, Producer at CBSN Documentaries
- Emma Heaton, Reporter WINK-TV
- Sarajane Sullivan Writer/Editor, Hearst Connecticut Media Group
- Oscar Santiago-Torres, Digital Content Producer, Naples Daily News
- Aaron Balladin, Editor, WINK News
- Hope Garza, Marketing Assistant, Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice, St. Petersburg
- Javier Moncada, Videographer for WINK News
- Sommer Senne, Host of Good News on Entertainment, CTN10
- Julia Browning, Copywriter and Marketing Assistant, BreakFree Solutions, Chicago
- Meilin Tompkins, Digital Reporter for WCNC Charlotte, NC
- Aubrie Gerber, Writer for Rachel Ray In Season Magazine
- Aiden Strawhun, PR Specialist, Ubisoft, San Francisco
- Sean O’Day, photographer, WBBH-TV
- Anica Colbert, KPBS Public Media Host
- Harold Solomon, Photographer at WINK News
- Julie Rosner, Social Media Specialist, Decocrated, Fort Lauderdale
- Taylor Crehan, Social Media Coordinator, Infinite Laundry, Coral Springs
- Christian Rehm, Evening Director, WFTX Fox 4
- Yamile Escobar, Producer, WINK News
- Kris Locker, Gwen Ifill (PBS) News Literacy Student of the Year/Graduate film school
- Rachel Adkins, post-graduate intern at WarnerMedia/NCAA
- John Wix, Special Projects producer at WBBH-TV
- Klaudia Balogh, Media Manager for BIOSTRAP, Los Angeles
- Gabriella Savoia, Morning Show On-Air Radio Personality, Beasley Broadcast Group
- Sebastian Gonzalez, photographer, multiple videography awards by the Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists
- Kaela Thompson, Director for WINK News
- Jack Lowenstein, Digital Media Editor at KCNC in Denver
- Julia Bonavita, Photo Editor for the National Basketball Association (NBA)
- Summer Fernandez De Castro, News Producer at Fox32 in Chicago
- Mike Danielewski, Chief Photographer at WINK-TV
- Rachel Iacovone, Digital News Editor at WPLN News Nashville Public Radio
- Tara Calligan, Social Media Manager at WGCU Public Media
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Eugene Kinchen, News Editor, WBBH-TV
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Cecilia Mojica, News Editor, WBBH-TV
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Andy Quach, Editor, Fansided
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Caity Kauffman, Vice President, PR & Communications/Social Media & Influencer Marketing, 160over90, ENDEAVOR, New York
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Jaynie Tice Bartley, Associate Editor, Gulfshore Life
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Sarah Murphy, Assignment Editor, WINK News