<p style="text-align: justify;">Do you dream of reporting live from disaster zones and war-torn countries? Or maybe you&#8217;d like to secretly piece together a conspiracy before blowing the whistle to the entire nation. Before you have any success as a journalist, you&#8217;ll need a solid education as a foundation for the future, so here are five degrees that can make that happen.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;"><b>1. Journalism</b></h3>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The most obvious degree is also the most important. While you don&#8217;t necessarily <i>need</i> a journalism degree to get your foot in the door of most media companies, it will definitely show employers that you&#8217;ve studied the structure and history of the field and are prepared to wield that knowledge in pursuit of truth.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;"><b>2. International and Public Affairs</b></h3>
<p style="text-align: justify;">If you plan on covering news around the globe, a public affairs degree can help you understand how to bridge the gap between cultures on both a personal and professional level. It&#8217;ll teach you about economics, globalization and area studies; it will show you how to connect with people even if they speak a different language than your own. It can also be a nice cushion for corporate work if you ever tire of journalism.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;"><b>3. Computer Science</b></h3>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Never underestimate the power of the media. In the 21st century, when news can be broken by ordinary citizens with smartphones, it&#8217;s critically important that you understand the basics of technology to keep pace with the masses. A computer science degree will ensure that you stay ahead of the curve, and it&#8217;ll also give you an edge over other journalists who are still stuck in the &#8217;90s.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;"><b>4. Communications</b></h3>
<p style="text-align: justify;">A UF communication degree online will help you both on- and off-camera in terms of eloquence, relevance and investigative technique. Best of all, you don&#8217;t even need a classroom to learn and for the most part, you can do your homework on your own time.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;"><b>5. Business</b></h3>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The most successful journalists aren&#8217;t just mouthpieces in front of a big event. They also understand the hierarchy of the entire news machine and how to manipulate it; they have equal knowledge of news gathering and media management. A business degree will help you make serious strides in your journalism career, especially if you double-major in communications or journalism itself.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Journalism can be a tough place to get ahead, but these five degrees will help you both understand the industry and qualify for higher-level employment. If you want to be on the front lines of tomorrow&#8217;s news, start by getting an education today.</p>

Mainstream Media: 5 Degrees That Will Make You A Top Notch Journalist
