A Complete Guide to a Career in Media and Information Technology

‘Media’ is an umbrella term for television, radio, press, cinema, and social media. These have the power to shape public opinion and set new standards. The word ‘media’ is plural for ‘medium,’ which means a way to transfer information.

‘Information technology’ refers to a wide range of technologies we use to propagate information. This includes telecommunication devices and digital electronics such as computers and smartphones. Newer technologies allow users to access all media forms, including television, radio, cinema, and social media, on a computer or a smartphone.

You can browse the internet and access over-the-top (OTT) platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Spotify using smart televisions. This means that television as a technology is no longer a medium for one-way but interactive on-demand communication.

It is difficult to propagate media without using information technology. During the middle of the 20th century, the printing press and radio were primary ways of distributing media. In the 21st century, the internet over computers and smartphone is the information technology behind media.

Media has been and still is the most important medium of communication. It is a tool to create awareness, educate, and entertain the masses, which is why we also call it mass media. Media also informs us of societal issues that need attention and resolution.

Advancements in information technology decrease the output and propagation time of mass media. Thanks to the rapidly growing smartphone technology, the media from large television sets is now in your hands and available on demand.

The top 3 types of media that people use are print, broadcast, and the internet. Here we will understand each of these types with their sub-categories.

Print Media

This media form was most prevalent in the late 20th century when people relied on newspapers and magazines for news and entertainment. The sub-categories include –

• Newspapers – This is a daily or weekly media form that provides information on politics, current affairs, sports, birth notices, obituaries, and more. Newspapers continue to be in circulation as they are still accepted as a medium in legal matters.
• Magazines – The glossy pages with large colour images were meant to gain immediate attention in the area of sports, fashion, travel, food, finance, and lifestyle. With the introduction of web media, most print magazines have now gone online.
• Books – This medium focuses on one topic, fictional or non-fictional, that spreads knowledge among the readers. Books, both paperback and digital, continue to be a primary form of media.
• Banners – Cloth or vinyl banners display the products and services of a company, which one can use at easily noticeable sites such as shopfronts.
• Billboards – Large display advertisements usually printed on vinyl or steel sheets meant to gain the attention of people. A common example is an advertisement along national highways meant for drivers.
• Brochures – This is a small booklet that contains all the information about the company’s products and services, contact details, and terms and conditions. During the early 21st century, brochures used to come inside newspapers.
• Flyers – These are low-cost advertising media that small companies use to advertise their products and services. They contain the logo and the name of the company, a brief introduction of the services and the contact details.

Broadcast Media

As the name suggests, this form of media is meant to take information to the masses quickly. While print media was a form of mass media in the early 20th century, it ceased to be so after the introduction of electronic devices.

• Television – This was the most famous form of broadcast media in the late 20th and early 21st century. While it started with a few channels only, it quickly expanded to hundreds of channels on movies, news, sports, travel, politics, finance, and religion.
• Radio – It is one of the oldest means of broadcasting that people still use extensively for news and music, especially during a drive. Due to its high media reach, companies still use it as a platform for advertising.
• Cinema – Motion pictures in different languages have worldwide reach and can drive emotions through powerful storytelling. Most non-fictional and documentary movies serve the purpose of broadcasting a message or story.

Internet Media

The internet has existed since the 1980s, but with cheaper computers, faster computing power, and superfast internet, it has reached every household. It has completely transformed the way we share information with the masses.

• Social media – This includes Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, Tumblr, LinkedIn, Quora, Pinterest, and more. Each of these platforms serves a different purpose when it comes to advertising or information broadcasting. Social media has the power to quickly ‘trend’ a piece of information among millions. Because of this, it is an extremely powerful tool that we must use responsibly.
• Blogs and forums – These platforms generally focus on one topic, such as technology, travel, fashion, etc. People can ask questions from other subject matter experts and comment on the posts. These are the best platforms to seek support and assistance.
• Podcasts – These are audio media that have expertise in one topic, for example, relationships, health, well-being, etc. Dedicated podcast distribution sites such as SoundCloud and PodBean, along with YouTube take the podcaster’s message to a large audience.

If you are seeking a career in media and information technology, there are multiple avenues. From working for an online news agency to having your podcast, one can do multiple things not only for income but also for the larger purpose of serving society.

But all of it starts with a credible degree in media and information technology.

A Bachelor of Arts in media and information technology from a credible institute makes you more than a reporter. It prepares you for a wide range of career opportunities and helps you build industry relations. Here we understand the subjects and syllabus and the eligibility criteria of a typical BA in media and information technology.

Subjects & Syllabus

The 3-year degree comprises 6 semesters and prepares you for these industry skills –

• Interviewing skills for gathering and analysing content.
• Get hands-on experience in handling audio and video equipment, including DSLR and video cameras, microphones, and teleprompters.
• Learn the techniques of live studio production and post-production using Adobe Photoshop, Indesign, Audacity, and Premier Pro.
• Understand how PR and corporate communication work in large companies and learn the journalistic writing style.
• Learn the art of investigative and other types of journalism for television and internet media.
• Know the laws and ethics in the media industry that one must use for responsible journalism.

A good degree program will also provide you with internship opportunities towards the end of the course. You will also get exposure to industry events and make valuable connections while you are still a student.

Eligibility Criteria

The minimum eligibility criteria for a BA in journalism is 12th standard or high school or equivalent education.

If you wish to pursue a master’s degree in journalism and to have a career in media and information, you must have a bachelor’s degree in the same or different field.

Apart from a degree in journalism, you also need various other skills to excel in the industry. As you interact with fellow students and industry professionals, you develop these skills.

• Excellent Communication – Since you want to have a career in media and information, excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential to convey your message to the audience.
• Creativity – One needs creativity to not only gather the information but also to convey it to the viewers. Speech, choice of words, and dialogue delivery are some of the ways you can be creative and make yourself a brand in the industry.
• Content Curation – This is a job of high responsibility as it determines the message you convey to the audience and the narrative you create.
• Project Management – Like any other industry, media houses also have managers who track and steer the projects. If your interest is in management, this may be the skill you want to hone.
• Aptitude to Learn – Journalism is a dynamic industry where you face a new challenge each day. If you have an aptitude for learning, you not only become a problem solver but also understand the needs of your audience better.
• Marketing – Inbound marketing helps create a customer persona and understand whom you are talking to. You can produce relevant content, written, verbal, or visual, for maximum impact.
• Flexibility – Media industry may require you to work at odd hours to cover global and emergency news pieces.
• Relationship Building – One cannot emphasise enough the importance of building relationships in media. Relationships get you the information before your competitor channels. You can connect with peers and understand how other reporters, bloggers, and writers’ function.
• Digital marketing – What is the use of good content if it does not get any views? It goes a long way if you understand how search engine algorithms work. The right choice of words, headings, and content can get you more views.
• Teamwork – You will be working with different teams within the media house, including writers, coders, cameramen, post-production specialists, marketers, and project managers. Having an attitude of teamwork always helps.

The media industry is known for extremely high viewership and Average Revenue Per User (ARPU). According to the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), India will have 900 million internet users by 2025. This brings a tremendous scope for professionals working in web media. On the other hand, television will remain the largest media segment and may post a CAGR of 7% to Rs. 847 billion by 2023.

The advertising to GDP ratio is set to reach 0.4% by 2025, which shows the immense trust of brands in the media industry. These statistics show that there will be a continued demand for media and information technology professionals in India.

Is media a good career? This is a common question for all aspiring students. The answer to this lies in the professions one can go to have a career in media and information and the scope of growth.

• Advertising and promotions – Major revenue in the media industry comes through advertising and promotions of products and services. Advertising and promotions managers ensure that the media house gets the necessary clients and designs a comprehensive strategy.
• Marketing managers – They organise and manage marketing campaigns and may work closely with social media strategists to create awareness about the brand or a news piece. They oversee the coverage and strategy for special events such as sports, large conferences, product launches, and political events.
• Art directors – Art directors are highly creative individuals who inspire and guide the design team, oversee the illustrations, and direct the photographers and videographers to collectively meet the desired outcome. For example, art directors could be responsible for the visual layout of magazines and newspapers. They could also determine the genre of storytelling and work closely with writers.
• Writers and authors – Writers form the story for an article or a transcript for the news reader. They are the brains that put words to thoughts, events, and stories. Writers write for newspapers, magazines, blogs, websites, and social media handles.
• Editors – Editors work closely with writers to polish the words and ensure that they are in line with the guidelines and industry norms. They also ensure that the news piece does not violate someone’s privacy or the country’s law.
• Social media specialists – They create and manage content for social media channels such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Their responsibility is to build an online audience and engagement. They work directly with the marketing teams and can operate in diverse industries.
• Public relations specialists – PR specialists work with media houses to ensure that the brand’s image is positive. They design strategies that shape public perception using media releases and social media programs.
• Film and video editors and camera operators – Video editors edit the raw footage and convert it into a film for television and internet media. Both photographers and videographers must have expertise in editing software. Camera operators handle the equipment onsite to shoot the footage.
• Graphic designers – Graphic designers use software to create newspaper ads, webpages, media images, and posters for brands that want to advertise with the media house.
• Interpreters and translators – Digital media channels often work in different geographical locations within and outside the country. They need interpreters and translators with language expertise to make the job of reporters and writers easy.
• Reporters, correspondents, and broadcast news analysts – They work in radio and television broadcasting and information services and examine, analyse, and interpret news from different sources. They also coordinate with or serve as an anchor on the channel.
• Broadcast and sound engineering technicians – Sound engineers work with film and video editors to record, mix, and edit sound effects using mechanical or digital processes.
• Announcers – They announce radio or television programs, read the news, or identify the station. At times the events are live and, at other times, recorded.
• Photographers – Media photographers take pictures of events, places, people, and objects. They develop and edit the photos for use in news reporting.

This is not a comprehensive list of career options in media and information technology. As you gain experience and build your brand, you can go freelance and own a YouTube channel or a podcast and be an authority in a subject. The opportunities as a freelance subject matter expert are endless, including paid campaigns, collaborations with other experts, advertising, and more.

The journey at Seamedu starts with an aptitude and reasoning test to shortlist suitable candidates for a degree in journalism. It is a media aptitude and reasoning test with an exam fee of INR. 1,000.

Seamedu also accepts NRI, PIO, and OCI students for UG degrees in broadcast journalism at the Pune campus. The fee for this is INR 270,000 per year. The fee for the first year of BA journalism is INR 135,000.

The program highlights include –

• Anchoring and interviewing skills.
• Live studio production techniques.
• Writing skills.
• Documentary production.
• Camera and audio gear handling techniques.
• Data analysis and presentation.
• Content production.
• PR and corporate communication.

Seamedu offers the BA Journalism degree at the Pune and Delhi campuses only. For detailed information on the fee structure, contact your career guide at 1800 102 7581 or write to us at pune@seamedu.com.

According to Glassdoor, a leading job review website, the average salary of a media specialist in India is INR 690,000 per year. Here is a distribution of average salaries as per the job role applicable in the media and information technology industry.

These are indicative salaries based on average market data. The salary you get depends on your skills, experience, and the quality of education you start with.

A journalism degree from a good institute and your industry network get your foot inside. To be successful, one must answer these questions for self and work on these qualities.

• Are you good with words? – The way you use words distinguishes an average news story from an engaging one.
• Have you done research? – Thorough knowledge and research go a long way when the viewers are judging the quality of your work.
• Do you have investigative skills? – This goes together with research skills. All forms of journalism require investigative skills, and it is good to have them.
• How good is your communication? – Communication is about putting across your story in clear and concise words that are easy to understand and achieve the desired outcome.
• Are ethics important? – Absolutely! Ethics are what differentiate a responsible news story from a sensational one that does not add any value to the viewer. Journalistic ethics also safeguard the privacy of people, if necessary, for safety.

These qualities help you build your brand with time and be a media professional others trust and look up to.

Media and information technology are dynamic, where you can learn all about life and even pivot to a new career within the domain. For example, experienced media professionals with a personal brand run high-quality podcasts and YouTube channels.

Some essential skills you need to sharpen to have a career in media and information technology abilities are –

• Control and fluency in the language.
• Integrity and ethics.
• Exceptional writing skills.
• In-depth understanding of how the industry functions.
• Ability to handle photography, videography, and editing equipment.
• Independent research and networking skills.
• Passion for investigate a piece of information.
• Understanding of emerging technologies and digital media.

Media is a small industry where having a personal brand goes a long way. As you gain experience, develop a unique style of investigative journalism and speech, and be known in the industry for the values you stand for.

Media and information technology institute is where you put the foundation. The time and money that you invest here will have a lasting impact on your professional career. While visiting the campus for consultation, you can discuss these points –

• Contents of the course curriculum.
• Industry exposure during the course.
• Internships and job placements due to the industry tie-ups.
• Seminars, guest lectures, and studio and field visits.
• The quality of the faculty and their experience.
• Alumni placement and current industry role.
• The fee structure.