Much like Arts Stream in secondary school, Mass Communication is often ridiculed due to the stereotypical misconceptions set by our (for the lack of word) practical society. These are among the things that are bombarded on our faces by our relatives and peers who are not enlightened by the importance of Mass Communication:
1. Mass Comm Students Are Lazy
Societies have conveniently preset the attitude of mass communication students to be lazy and unmotivated. They are known for submitting their work after datelines or not submitting any work altogether.
To be fair, every course have students as such. With the endless coursework, we cannot afford to be lazy.
In general, Mass Communication is divided into 4 categories- journalism, broadcasting, advertising and public relations. In most colleges, students are required to take up subjects from ALL these categories. This means juggling several assignments that require weeks of work, and of course, saying goodbye to sleep.
2. Mass Comm Students Don’t Know What To Do With Their Lives
People say that Mass Communication students don’t have a clue with what they want to do with their lives.
To be honest, Mass Communication has a broad career path for one to to choose from, so even if some of us might not have a clue during our first few semester, something along the way might spark our interests by the time we graduate. There’s bound to be something for every one to do.
3. Mass Comm Students Are All Extroverts
Believe it or not, not all Mass Communication students are extremely outgoing, loud, spontaneous and love the spotlight.
Some students prefer to be quiet and mysterious, not giving too much away and keeping everything lowkey.
Since Mass Comm requires a lot of public speaking and facing our fears for stage, it is not hard to see why this is one of the main stereotypes.
Some people still choose to remain their shyness despite all that and so be mentally prepared to be acquainted a Mass Comm student who doesn’t quite enjoy the chit chats and spotlight.
4. Mass Comm Students Have It Easy
You’ll have a change of mind once you have truly experienced the endless assignments which all Mass Comm students have gone through.
It might not be as hard as a law dissertation, but Mass Comm students have their stressful moments as well.
In broadcasting, pre-planning is crucial when it comes to making a good video or radio podcast. You’re required to do tonnes of researches, write, contact talents, scout for venues and the list goes on. This could take weeks, or even months just for a 5-minutes video.
Recording, filming and producing is another level of stress altogether. Something surely will not go your way. Editing itself will be a pain with a capital P especially when your shots or recordings are not aligned with the vision. This is just one of the million other tasks which requires tonnes of physical and mental strengths to overcome before we are able to graduate #justsaying
5. Mass Comm Students Are Useless
Hold up, what did you just said?
Have you seen those ads on Facebook?
Billboards along the highway?
Movie trailers which make you anticipate for the movie before the release date, only to find out that the trailer is better than the movie itself?
These are just of the things that us Mass Communication are capable of pulling off, not to mention that we are actually pretty creative which to our delight, most AI cannot replicate creativity for the time being.
The bottom line is that it’s not nice to tell people that what they’re doing are pointless. We have enough mean people in the world already so the last thing we need is more one sided judgement from people who know nothing about our passion.
Whether you like it or not, Mass Communication is everywhere and with it the possibilities are endless.
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