Can I change my feild from engineering to journalism after I graduate?

Question

I'm an engineering student (third year) and I've always wanted to be an engineer. People (parents, teachers, relatives, friends) always told me to be a journo. Now, I'm also convinced that I should be a journo. Please advise !!

Answer 1

Complete your coursework in Engineering. If you feel that Journalism may be your calling, take a couple of elective courses in it, or even minor in it. If, after graduation, you still feel that you need a Journalism education, go to a professional Journalism school (Columbia, NYU, U of Missouri, and U of Arizona are the best M.A. programs)..

One thing you should definately do is get involved with the campus newspaper, radio station, t.v. station, etc. to see what the ins and outs of the field are like.

You can also start your own blog or podcast to get practice on meeting a deadline every day.

You've invested a lot in a very difficult degree (engineering) which also leads to an in-demand and high paying career. You can't become an engineer without an engineering degree. You can, however, become a journalist with no degree. You just need a sense of how to write. You can pick that up in a couple of classes. Coupled with experience in campus media you will probably be able to get a job in journalism (although it will pay much less than the one in engineering.)

Answer 2

You're right. Engineering career opportunities are very slim and look to be getting worse in the US. You could easily parlay your engineering degree into a teaching license by taking a few ed courses. Or, look for a job at a local technical college training your future indian and mexican replacements. If you're young, dynamic and have great grades from a prestigious school, go for Wall Street. They're looking for analytical types, but only the cream of the crop.