As newsrooms are reworking their methods in the evolving field of journalism, many journalism school graduates are struggling to find employment. Despite the odds, Biola University’s journalism graduates are landing jobs at organizations like The Associated Press, and current students are winning awards at state and national levels.

“Biola’s department of Journalism and Integrated Media is responding to some of the turmoil in the journalism and news industry in this way,” department chair Michael Longinow said. “Our graduates are getting jobs because they have the ability to put together writing, visuals, video and interactive web media in a variety of ways.”

Although the Journalism department is a relatively new major, it is growing. Within the four emphases in this major (broadcast news, public relations, visual media and writing and publishing), students are getting practical experience with different forms of media.

Most recently, the student-run newspaper, The Chimes, received third place in the Best of Show awards through the Associated Collegiate Press this year. Senior Kathryn Watson, a student reporter, won a first place award through the California College Media Association competition for reporting and writing. The Point, Biola’s student-run magazine, recently won first place in the General Excellence category in the magazine division of the annual CCMA awards event in Hollywood.

In the past, The Chimes has received numerous awards from the Baptist Press and California College Media Association. The Point has also received several awards and recognition from the Associated Collegiate Press, CCMA and the Baptist Press.

Meanwhile, alumni from this program are obtaining jobs from well-known organizations such as the Associated Press, Univision, and the Los Angeles Times.

Prominent  alumni accomplishments include Gary Emerling who reported for The Washington Times. Natalee Morales works as a reporter and anchor at KIVI-TV in Boise, Idaho. Andrew Mollenbeck works for WTOP Radio and Michael Farr reports for The Los Angeles Times.

The department’s specialized curriculum and on-campus opportunities are main causes of such success, Longinow said.

The degree program requires its students to take an internship before graduation. It also requires its students to be involved in at least three journalism practicums during their studies. The practicums are designed to offer students practical work experience in the form of an academic course. These practicums work with on-campus media: The Chimes newspaper, The Point magazine, Eaglevision weekly news broadcast, Biola Radio and the Public Relations Student Society of America.

For more information about Biola University’s Journalism and Integrated Media department, go to https://www.biola.edu/pr.