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School of Journalism and New Media
University of Mississippi

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I add a specialization and work it into my schedule?

Specializations are a great optional “add on” to the undergraduate degrees in both integrated marketing communications and journalism. 

They’re designed for students who want to dive deeper into a specific area of study and/or have a specific career direction in mind.  There are currently eight specializations – public relations, magazines, health communication, sports promotion, media sales, graphic design, social media and fashion promotion. 

Each specialization is nine credits, and three of those credits can be an approved internship. 

Planning ahead is key, as some of the courses have prerequisites and not all the courses are offered every term.  Because of this, it’s not possible to do a specialization in just one semester.

To learn more, talk to your advisor or visit our website.

You can also contact one of our  academic counselors at pchurdle@go.olemiss.edu so they can officially add the status to your record and update your degree audit report. 

Where can I find a collection of the school's most important links?

Will there be any faculty or staff members in Farley Hall on a daily basis?

There are personnel within Farley Monday through Friday. Though many who are here are available by appointment only.

What career opportunities do journalism majors have? Can they work in any field?

As Dr. Suess says, “Oh the places you’ll go!” While on campus, many of our students work for student media organizations like The Daily Mississippian, HottyToddy.com, and NewsWatch Ole Miss.

They intern for the Athletics Department, work the sidelines of games for Total Production Services, and do internships at media outlets all across the country.

After graduation, you’ll find our alumni working for Netflix, TikTok, ESPN, The New York Times, “60 Minutes,” Apple News, Southern Living, Fox News, and local news outlets in Nashville, Atlanta, Dallas, of course in Mississippi, and beyond.

You’re right though, journalists have skills that can take them almost anywhere — they know how to write, tell stories, analyze information, and engage audiences — just about every company needs people like that.

We very rarely have a journalism grad who can’t find a job, and when that happens, we’re more than happy to step in to help.

What are some study abroad opportunities I can look into as an IMC major planning on specializing in fashion production and media?

It is possible to do a study abroad program that focuses on fashion. The Ole Miss Study Abroad Office features one program that offers fashion design courses in Florence, Italy. Check out the website or speak to someone in the office about your goals, and they can help make it happen.

Will students be able to do interviews in person for class assignments?

Please keep these three points in mind while Reporting During a Pandemic: 

  • No story assignment is worth sacrificing your health. 
  • You have options beyond face-to-face interviews. 
  • Be smart. 

As always, we encourage students to pursue their reporting with dedication and determination. We also expect our students to use best practices and do all they can to remain safe while reporting. 

While these guidelines are not exhaustive, they represent common-sense practices for asserting your rights as a journalist and staying safe while reporting. These guidelines are meant for students reporting for courses.


Reporting During a Pandemic: 

 

  • When possible, interviews should be conducted via phone, Skype, Zoom, FaceTime — pick your platform. Most journalists agree that email interviews are not a good idea, especially when dealing with public officials. But coordinate with your individual instructor, who may make exceptions, especially when conducting follow-ups.
  • If a situation arises where you need to conduct face-to-face interviews, please consult with your instructor about how to proceed. Students in broadcast, photojournalism, multimedia and sports journalism classes may feel the need to conduct face-to-face interviews. Here are some general guidelines to follow: 
  • All interviews MUST be conducted outdoors. Faculty will not accept interviews recorded indoors.
 Make sure to keep an eye on the weather and if needed, reschedule your interviews in the event of bad weather. 
  • All face-to-face interviews must be conducted AT LEAST six feet away from the interview subject (10 feet is better.) When possible keep face-to-face interviews short. Think in terms of getting your key questions answered. You can always follow up by phone. Make these guidelines clear to your interview subjects during the pre-interview so they understand that you’re not being rude.  
  • Stay away from crowded locations when conducting interviews (this will involve some planning). 
  • For video and broadcast: Use a shotgun mic mounted on camera or a boompole with mic to record audio. Wear a face covering (mask or face shield) at all times. Do not share objects with others (don’t let others touch any of your video equipment). Wash hands thoroughly after shooting video and gently clean equipment with sanitizing wipes (avoid touching/wiping lenses, SDHC cards and other sensitive electronic components). 
  • Photography students should follow the same basic rules as reporting students – work outdoors as much as possible, maintain at least six feet of distance and use telephoto lenses whenever possible.  
  • Masks. Wear masks to interviews and during interviews.  Practice speaking loudly and clearly when asking questions, so the interview subject can hear you.