Jeremy Gilbert on Journalism Departments and Education

OurBlook interview with Jeremy Gilbert, assistant professor, Medill, Northwestern University

How are journalism schools adapting to the new media landscape? What are some of the major changes that are being implemented?

JG: The practice of journalism is undergoing drastic changes and that is forcing journalism educators to make equally major changes to curricula. It's not just the means of distribution that are changing it's the way journalists market themselves and conceive of their roles. Journalism schools and students need to look forward, inventing the next set of narrative tools, storytelling forms and business models. Medill has reached out to our colleagues in computer science to partner on research and class projects to explore where new technologies can take journalism. The projects have been very successful and one spun off into a viable company.

What are some of the challenges that journalism departments are currently facing?

JG: It's difficult to know what direction Medill, or any journalism school, should be headed. We can focus on videography, programming tools, research techniques or design methods we should be teaching. We need to add additional skills and subjects to our curriculum without losing the journalism fundamentals.

What are the most important skills that journalism grads need?

JG: Journalism grads need to be flexible -- not morally or ethically -- but about the methods, distribution means and methods of gathering and sharing stories. They need to understand all the available tools -- not so they are experts in using those tools -- so that they know what is possible and can use the right tool for the job.

Are there more students than before, fewer or about the same, and why? Have they had to make significant investments in technology and equipment?

JG: I've only been working at Medill for two years and I believe that we actually have more enrolled students than when I started, but I don't know the official numbers. Douglas Troutman, a Medill dean, might be able to help. Medill students are expected to bring a laptop, audio recorder and video camera.

Journalists are having a hard time adapting the new media landscape. How are journalism professors faring?

JG: I cannot speak for other professors but for me this is a challenging but tremendously exciting time to be working at a journalism school and, especially, teaching media product design. There is more need and opportunity than ever before. My students and I are exploring how to tell stories on mobile platforms and with new applications.

Is there a shortage of professors who can teach these new skills?

JG: That's hard for me to say.

Do traditional journalism schools/departments face competition from online universities?

JG: Distance learning is a powerful new way of educating students. I'm not sure journalism schools are under more pressure than any other school/department but it is something that Medill is exploring too.

What advice would you give current educators?

JG: To keep exploring. Their research efforts make them better teachers and will help the industry with new ideas and solutions.

Are there any examples of projects or programs that are really helping students balance journalism integrity and new media skills?

JG: Medill is very committed to not leaving behind journalistic ethics and values even as we expand the new media skills we teach.

Taking into account the current state of journalism programs, what effect will it have on the industry in 10 years?

JG: The current state of incoming journalism students gives me confidence about the future of journalism. These are students who see opportunity not upheaval and who are truly digital natives. They do not harbor nostalgia for printed media or nightly news slots. They tell important stories in ways that reach their audience.

How many new journalism graduates are getting jobs, and what kind of jobs are they getting?

JG: My students are getting all kinds of exciting jobs. Some are working in new media or as programmers at newspapers, one is specializing in search engine optimization, some have started their own companies, others working as reporters at companies like Bloomberg and People's Stylewatch. The market is not easy but there are opportunities.

Do internships still exist? If so, how have they changed?

JG: Internships still exist and they still offer opportunities for students and recent graduates to learn more about the industry.

Anything else you want to add?

JG: Let me know if there is anything else I can help with.

(Jeremy Gilbert is an assistant professor at Medill at Northwestern University. He teaches multimedia storytelling, web and print design, and usability and information architecture. Gilbert served as the Poynter Institute's design editor for online/marketing and redesigned Poynter Online by adding new tools and user-friendly navigation. Gilbert helped redesign the St. Petersburg Times and The News-Press in Fort Myers, Fla.)