At Columbia Journalism School, students in the Master of Science Program are on the street reporting from day one, learning to think critically and act ethically. Their classes are small, instructors give students intensive feedback, and the pass-fail grading policy fosters collaboration. The result: a grounding in the fundamental skills that helps graduates stand out and makes a difference throughout their careers. The M.S. is designed for a range of students, from those with little to no experience to those who have been working in the field for several years and want to enhance their skills in order to advance to a new level.
.jpeg)
What is it like to be a Master of Science Program student at Columbia Journalism School? We talked about the student experience with Class of 2022 alum Shakti Langlois-Ortega.
Please read the Q&A below to learn about Shakti's education at Columbia:
What inspired you to apply to Columbia?
I had moved to New York in January of 2020, right before I knew a global pandemic was waiting for me. I had moved to New York to move with my now-husband, and we were trying to figure things out in terms of how it would work for me. I was a flight attendant, and I was going to continue doing that. I wanted to do journalism, but I wasn't legally able to work in the United States at that time. When the pandemic happened, I had applied to a bunch of journalism jobs and I wasn't getting anything. And so, I was like: "Okay, I think I need more skills."
And I knew about Columbia Journalism School just because of how amazing it is and the reputation of it. And I knew I wanted to go there. I didn't apply anywhere else. I was like, "If I'm gonna go back to school, it's going to be there. And if I don't get it, then it's not meant to be." And so, that's what happened. I was really, really happy to get in.
How did you choose to apply to the Master of Science Program?
I was going back and forth because I had a little bit of journalism experience, so I thought maybe I'll qualify for the Master of Arts Program. But then, when it came time to choose a concentration in the M.A., I really couldn't make a decision. And I realized that, especially when it comes to broadcast journalism skills, there was training that I would get from the M.S. that I wouldn't be able to get in the M.A.
What was it like starting Columbia's M.S. Program with the reporting class?
It was actually really cool. I was excited because I was in NYC during the pandemic and I hadn't really had the opportunity to know the city because I had just been in my apartment for a while. This was the first time that I really got to go out and explore New York more. I had never really spent much time uptown because I live in Brooklyn, so it was also cool to have to take the train every day and discover Harlem and other places.
What are the most important skills that you gained at Columbia?
For me personally, I got from the school what I came to get, which I'm really happy about. I came in with a broadcast focus and I knew that's what I wanted to do. I took "Video Newsroom," which was my favorite class of all time, and all the professors were so amazing. I'm not just saying that to prop up the school - that class was exactly what I came for, and I got a lot of the everyday skills that I know I need in broadcast. I did a lot of shooting, a lot of editing. I was always scared of anchoring, and, in the studio at the J-School, I got to anchor our show twice. That was really, really big for me.
How did you decide to customize your M.S. experience?
During my reporting class, we had a focus on criminal justice reporting, which I really liked. So, I wanted to continue focusing on that. I decided to take "Criminal Justice Reporting" in the spring. Our teacher was a data journalist and I know nothing at all about data, so I was like, "Alright, I'm gonna get into this class and at least get a better understanding of how data works."
What advice do you have for future Master of Science Program students?
Being organized and having time management skills are extremely important. I wasn't super organized and I knew the program would be intense, but I always thrive in this kind of chaotic intensity. And I added so much more stress than what could have been. I know some people are naturally organized, but for those like me who aren't, you should find a system of holding yourself accountable and planning your weeks, planning all the assignments and making sure they're on time, so you don't miss the deadlines.
What is the Columbia Journalism School student community like?
I made one of my best friends from the "Video Newsroom" class, and she also got a job at News 12 with me. So we created this really strong friendship from the class, and now we're actually working together, which is really awesome. So that was really valuable. There are people who are super popular and they have a bunch of friends and everybody knows them, but to me it was more important to have a few strong connections with professors and students.
What advice do you have for someone thinking of applying to Columbia?
I think it's very case-by-case, but, for me, it was 100 percent worth it because it gave me the skills that I lacked. And I think my path to where I wanted to be, to the job that I wanted - and that now I have - would have been much longer had I not been to the J-School - just in terms of the people that I met, the skills that I built, the ways of thinking and insights into the industry that I wouldn't have got otherwise.
As you consider the possibility of furthering your career as a journalist at Columbia, please explore our website to learn more about Columbia Journalism School's faculty members, course offerings, and career development services.
At Columbia, a top-tier journalism education can be within financial reach. Please visit our website to learn about our scholarship opportunities.
If you would like to make an appointment to speak with an admissions counselor, please email us at apply.journalism@columbia.edu.