Scope in Mass Communications

Introduction : In times of easy-to-come info, the media is vital to human existence. Consequently, Careers related to Mass Communication can make a big impact towards one’s progress in modern-day India.

Mass Media and it’s Impact

With continuous up gradation in technology across sectors in India, the expanse of useful information has increased by leaps and bounds. The overall growth patterns are explicit while augmented IT enabled services have accelerated the crucial info-flow beyond frontiers. The average Indian is more curious now than ever to learn about latest happenings around him. It has been possible due to game-changing satellite communication and innovations in telecom sector over the last decade. This has led to sudden upsurge in ‘Mass Communication’ industry even more so with advent of new and alternative media and strategies. The ongoing internet and social networking onslaught has set up a domino effect to enhance the career prospects in this arena by a huge proportion.

Mass Communication and the Scope

As the name suggests, Mass Communication is dissemination of intended information amidst the masses or large target audiences through different methods involving various channels of media. The selection of media may depend on the target population, product at stake, accessibility of the media, anticipated impact and costs, at the least. It constitutes other popular areas like Advertising, Journalism, Public relations, Films and Television, Radio, Internet and other interactive media. As more people have started putting into use web based devices and apps for instant entertainment, socialising, gaming, shopping, banking, education and training, the after-effects are huge considering the vast population in India affected by it. The job creation in the sphere of mass communication is thus immense while the potential is still largely untapped owing to large rural, poor and not-tech savvy populace but keen to join the race.

Education Possibilities in Mass Communication

Since the markets in the Communication business are emerging, the colleges catering to the upcoming job opportunities are mushrooming all around the country. On one hand, traditional print media profiles are still in the reckoning while on the other, non-print media employing recent technologies is the new buzzword. Satellite television has been the revelation in the entertainment industry though Radio has also widened the reach through its FM and satellite versions with private players hogging the limelight. Advertising on the web with mobile telephony on ascend is the new-IN though cable channels have proved to be the trendsetters in beaming trending campaigns with catchy taglines. Film production has also entered the new vistas through the less hyped web series involving not-so- expensive production and actors while You-tubing has evolved into a strong audio-visual medium of communication across the mobile users . With demand of media professionals rising all the time, academic courses at all levels in production, broadcasting, anchoring, writing, editing, printing, publishing, ad and film making, acting, directing, cinematography and other areas of operations are making a headway in various institutions of repute with many new ones taking the lead. Even some of the renowned media houses have made it to the education business with emphasis on tailor-made industry-specific courses in mass communication with hands-on practical training. Such courses are designed with an eye on the requirements of a particular industry and the area of expertise thus increasing the probability of landing a lucrative job.

Courses and Institutions in Mass Communication

The courses offered in India in the area are diverse and at all levels viz. Undergraduate, Graduate and Post Graduate. Even some short term and customised academic programs are part of the spectrum on display. BA, MA, Diploma, and Post Graduate Diploma courses are the most-sought-after by the aspirants. The government and private universities, both, conduct academic programs mainly in Journalism, Mass communication, Public relations, Advertising and Communication management. The time duration may vary from 6 months for a certificate course to 3 years for a Graduate program while it’s 1-2 years for a PG program. The fees is usually not more than 1 lakh in a government college but can go extremely high in a private institution of excellence.

The average Indian is more curious now than ever to learn about latest happenings around him.

Predispositions, Skills and Eligibility as a Prerequisite to the Mass Communication Program

The aptitude, interest and attitude dictates a scientific and psychological choice for a career. As early as we identify and measure the aforesaid variables, we are able to make an informed decision regarding a career prospect. Your school and college life can provide you with key indicators and behavioral dispositions that can help you in recognizing your bent of heart and mind. A student who is an adroit at expressing his thoughts and opinions through his writings or speech in one or more of languages is the right candidate for a course in mass communication, the coarse way. A student who has passed his Class 12th from a recognized Board or graduated from a college affiliated to a University under the ambit of UGC is eligible to apply for a course in mass communication irrespective of his subjects of study. The minimum percentage criteria may vary with the institution and the same is true for requirement of an entrance test as well. Some of the skills that are considered a prerequisite for pursuing an academic program with an aim of excelling in a mass media oriented career are:

1. Curiosity and Inquisitiveness
2. Confidence to express oneself
3. Good Written and Spoken skills in a Popular language
4. Alert and Investigative Mind
5. Balanced and unbiased Opinions on burning issues.
6. Indiscriminating attitudes on the basis of caste, creed, religion, community or politics
7. Sensitivity towards various life situations and real incidents or Accidents
8. Good interpersonal skills, understanding, and analytical ability
9. Extrovert, enthusiastic, exploring, and Value-oriented human resources
10. Ability to obtain, differentiate, demarcate, conclude and interpret facts, figures and other relevant data

Job Opportunities in Mass Communication Industry

1. Journalist or Reporter or Correspondent
2. Editor and Content Writer
3. Producer, Script Writer, Cameraman, Broadcaster, Director and Cinematographer
4. Advertiser, Promotor, and Branding Professional
5. Public Relations Officer
6. Radio Jockey and TV Anchor
7. Sound Recording and Audio experts
8. Actors and Artistes
9. Music Arrangers and Composers
10. Web or IT experts and Back-end support

Future Prospects in Mass Communication Industry

The industry is all set to grow exponentially and so will the professionals involved in it. The initial salaries may be low but they are bound to rise once you establish yourself in the related sector. The job creation is going to be enormous as new areas of mass communication are explored and conceptualised for practical applications. Mass Communication is here to Stay and so are you if you have it in you.

Some Major Government and Private Institutions running Mass Communication Courses

1. Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), New Delhi
2. Lady Shri Ram College for Women(LSR), Delhi
3. Delhi College of Arts and Commerce, New Delhi
4. Indraprastha College for Women, New Delhi
5. Kamala Nehru College for Women, New Delhi
6. A.J.K Mass Communication Research Centre, Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi
7. Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, BHU, Varanasi, U.P
8. Department of Communication and Journalism, University of Pune, Pune, Maharashtra
9. Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media (IIJNM), Bangalore, Karnataka
10. National Institute of Mass Communication and Journalism (NIMCJ), Ahmedabad, Gujarat
11. Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication (MCRPSV), Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
12. Panjab University, Chandigarh, Punjab
13. Institute of Mass Communication, Film and TV Studies(IMCFTS) Kolkata, West Bengal
14. Institute of Mass Communication and Media Technology, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, Haryana
15. Manipur University, Imphal, Manipur
16. Gauhati University, Guwahati, Assam
17. Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune, Maharashtra
18. Manipal Institute of Communications, Manipal, Karnataka
19. Amity School of Communication, Noida, U.P
20. Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication (AIMC), New Delhi
21. Xavier Institute of Communication (XIC), Mumbai, Maharashtra
22. Devi Prasad Goenka Management College of Media Studies(DGMC), Mumbai, Maharashtra
23. Asian College of Journalism(ACJ), Chennai, T.N
24. NIMS University, Jaipur, Raj.
25. YMCA Institute for Media Studies and IT, New Delhi
26. Bennett University, Greater Noida, U.P
27. Himgiri Zee University (HZU), Dehradun, U.K
28. ISOMES, Noida, U.P