When I first got involved in journalism at The University of Texas, I was under the impression - like many before me and (most likely) like many after me - that by not being a journalism major, I was somehow unsuited to pursue journalism or would be at a disadvantage upon graduation. 

As I got more into the field, that belief is what led me to tack a journalism major onto my existing economics one. I rushed through the coursework for it in a year, learning what I could about the profession while beginning to apply for jobs in it. What I found, though, is that I was for the most part learning information that I’d already picked up in the newsroom. 

Like many skills, it turns out that journalism is something that's best learned on the job, by doing hands-on work in the field. I’m writing this piece to help debunk the myth that you need to be a journalism or similar major to pursue the profession. In reality, by studying in an area outside of journalism, you can likely bring expertise to the profession that you wouldn’t get with a journalism degree, making you even more valuable to the field.  

That’s not to say that there’s no value in a journalism degree. As a journalism major, I’ve had what I learned in the newsroom reinforced over and over again, I’ve gotten to meet professors and professional journalists that have had careers I couldn’t even imagine experiencing and I’ve gotten networking opportunities that I couldn’t have gotten anywhere else. I also have learned some new information about the profession. Especially for someone trying to break into journalism, it’s definitely not a bad way to go. It’s just not absolutely vital for breaking into the field. 

The University of Texas community offers many student journalism opportunities that students of any major can get involved with, including The Horn, The Daily Texan, TSTV, KVRX radio, the Cactus Yearbook and even The Odyssey. Any of those publications can be a great start to learning the basics of the field and getting the skills and references you’ll need to secure an internship or even a job with a professional publication.  

So to the Longhorns out there thinking about giving journalism a shot, please don’t let your major discourage you. It in no way needs to be an obstacle and can likely make you an even more valuable asset to a publication’s team.