Journalism Students, Wake Up! The House Is on Fire – Degrees Alone Won’t Save You
by Douglas Lwanga
When I graduated with a BA in Mass Communication from Makerere University, I thought I was ready for the media industry. But my rude awakening came during my first TV job interview at Record TV. The Managing Director didn’t ask for my degree or transcript. Instead, he handed me a camera and said, “Show me what you can do.”
Luckily, I had worked as a cameraman at MGS Videos on William Street, filming weddings and introduction ceremonies—a skill I picked up outside the classroom. That hands-on experience saved me.
The Harsh Reality: Employers Don’t Care About Your Papers—They Care About Skills
Through my journey across three TV stations, one thing became clear: No one asks for your degree. They ask:
- Can you operate a camera?
- Can you write a compelling script?
- Can you edit videos under tight deadlines?
- Can you bring in audiences (eyeballs) to their platforms?
Media owners today don’t just want journalists—they want multi-skilled content creators who understand digital trends, engage audiences, and drive traffic.
What You Must Do to Survive in Today’s Media Industry
Your journalism degree is a foundation, but the real game-changers are the extra skills you acquire outside the classroom:
✔ Video Production – Learn camera work, editing (Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro)
✔ Graphics & Animation – Basic design (Canva, Photoshop, After Effects)
✔ Public Speaking & On-Camera Confidence – Hosting, reporting, podcasting
✔ Digital Marketing & Social Media Growth – Build a personal brand on YouTube, TikTok, X (Twitter)
✔ Scriptwriting & Storytelling – Master engaging, viral-worthy content
Start at the Bottom, Stay Hungry
I had a degree, but I was humble enough to begin as a wedding videographer. That hustle taught me more than any lecture hall. If you’re waiting for a prime-time news anchor role straight out of school, you’ll be disappointed.
The Future Belongs to the Skilled
If journalism students embraced skill-building alongside academics, media owners wouldn’t have excuses to hire “unqualified” on-air talent. The power is in your hands—combine knowledge with skill, and no one can ignore you.
This is why we founded @SkillsKlinic—to bridge the gap between education and industry demands. Wake up. Upskill. Dominate.
#SkillsKlinic #Journalism #MediaSkills #FutureOfMedia
Douglas Lwanga is a media practitioner and founder of @SkillsKlinic, a platform dedicated to equipping journalism students and professionals with practical skills for the evolving media landscape.
What extra skills are you learning today? Share in the comments! 🚀
