This blog post examines what should be the core focus when writing an academic plan for a Journalism and Broadcasting major. It outlines how to persuasively present your motivation for pursuing this major, your experiences, your academic plans at university, and your career goals in the media field.
Motivation for Pursuing the Major (Reason for Choosing the Major)
My father graduated from the graduate school at ○○ University. At home, we have a family photo taken on campus during his graduate studies. Occasionally, he would take my younger brother and me for a drive around that very campus, the backdrop of our family photo, and show us around. While I grew familiar with the school through his explanations, my concrete interest was sparked by the OKU event last March. I gained much more information about ○○ University than I had known from my father’s stories. I learned that its Department of Journalism and Broadcasting has the longest tradition in the country and has produced many journalists and media scholars.
I once considered becoming a social worker, wanting to help others. However, recognizing the many practical limitations, I came to believe I should help people through the more powerful medium of mass media. While holding these thoughts, the information I learned about the Department of Journalism and Broadcasting during the university event solidified my decision to apply to your esteemed institution.
Academic Plan and Goals
Recently, two-way communication with viewers through the internet and cable broadcasting is gradually expanding. I understand that New Media Theory involves learning about new media capable of overcoming the problem of one-way message delivery inherent in traditional TV. While I cannot yet outline a specific academic curriculum, I believe approaching my studies with clear purpose will lead to much more stable progress. And as an essential experiential component for this communication, I am determined to participate in the ‘University Student National Pilgrimage Grand Trek’.
I once saw a documentary on TV about the National Pilgrimage. Walking 20-30 kilometers a day in sweltering heat, sometimes in the rain, looked incredibly arduous. Yet, I thought the experience of walking together would be immensely valuable for communication and building unity. I fully understand that broadcasting isn’t something you can create alone. Therefore, walking toward the summit with many people will be a valuable experience for me as someone aiming to become a broadcaster.
Post-Graduation Plans
These days, there are many broadcasts through cable and other diverse media. However, with so many sensational programs chasing ratings, while the number of media outlets has increased, the quality of broadcasting seems to have declined. Furthermore, it appears that many broadcasts focus solely on entertainment functions. Of course, entertainment is a function of broadcasting and remains important, but I feel other functions have weakened. In fact, I wonder if the functional diversity of broadcasting has diminished despite the proliferation of media and broadcasters.
I want to create broadcasting that fosters communication and, furthermore, contributes to uniting our society. Just as I’ve occasionally witnessed positive change sparked by the power of broadcasting, I will dedicate myself to creating quality programming. Therefore, after graduation, if the opportunity arises, I plan to study communication, journalism, and new media theory in greater depth. I will maintain a constant attitude of learning to become a better broadcaster and to create broadcasting for a better society.
Self-Introduction (Life Philosophy, Values)
I believe that living together is important. These days, there is much emphasis on winning in competition rather than helping others or making concessions. Even in school, competition among friends is emphasized over friendship. People say you must be selfish to survive. Perhaps that’s why everyone fears and feels anxious about yielding. Yet humans cannot live alone. It seems we’ve all forgotten that our society becomes healthier when all members live in harmony together. Helping others might seem like a loss in the short term.
But in the long run, a life lived with others benefits not only our neighbors but ultimately ourselves far more. That is why I believe the sages, who understood everything, taught us to live together.
The reason I came to think of becoming a broadcaster rather than a social worker is also because, realistically, I want more people to be happy. I believe that when many people laugh together, I too can laugh.
