tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2948174512010869069.post5563222274046640092..comments2009-10-20T18:36:58.762-04:00Jordan Raynorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09011158564600660449noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2948174512010869069.post-11435457556134752542009-10-20T18:36:58.762-04:002009-10-20T18:36:58.762-04:00A wonderful dean at my alma mater gave similar advice to aspiring journalists: major in something other than journalism so someday you&#39;ll be interesting enough to find things to write about.<br /><br />I will say, though, that I skipped over Political Science in favor of Public Policy for my college degree and have no regrets. Public Policy gave me a great foundation in political decision-making (e.g. game theory), policy analysis, and the all important skill of memo-writing. I wrote lots and lots and lots of memos, which has been wildly helpful out here in the real world.<br /><br />Like the commenter above me, I think you need a foundation in politics and history to understand what you&#39;re doing, and that should trump simply learning to pen a compelling message. Writing skills can be learned outside the classroom. In any non-technical discipline, the emphasis will be on the clear communication of ideas -- usually complex ideas. I received plenty of great advice on my writing from Classics professors grading my research papers (obivously written in English).<br /><br />But nevertheless it&#39;s interesting and likely good advice. The best advice, though, is that nothing you do in college will ever really prepare you for the real world. ;)Abby Algerhttp://twitter.com/abbyalgernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2948174512010869069.post-70724682248308358622009-08-20T12:15:56.000-04:002009-08-20T12:15:56.000-04:00Interesting - although I would say English is not the best major, however, that a foundation in political theory and history is critical.  Any ability to craft issue messages really requires this basic underpinning.<br /><br />Otherwise, you&#39;re just doing specialized marketing and public relations.Jim Johnsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2948174512010869069.post-70230698601848125212009-08-20T10:08:48.000-04:002009-08-20T10:08:48.000-04:00Thanks JamieJordan Raynornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2948174512010869069.post-13006539093282221912009-08-20T09:45:35.000-04:002009-08-20T09:45:35.000-04:00From one public relations grad to another (oddly enough with a minor in political science), great job and good advice!Jamie Millernoreply@blogger.com