Volume 1: The Opportunities and Career Prospects of Choosing a Media Major
With my college entrance examination scores, I had the option to choose between Project 985 and Project 211 universities. Since my academic background is in science, most of the applicants were science majors, such as computer science, chemistry, and biology, with fewer pursuing humanities and social science majors. Among my eight preferred schools, the Communication University of China (CUC) was the only one that showed a preference for liberal arts. Alongside communication, I also applied for other majors at CUC. Fortunately, I was fortunate enough to be admitted to CUC.
Ever since I was a child, I have been drawn to activities like interviews, public speaking, and publicity. Choosing a major in media allows me to align my academic pursuits with my personal interests and hobbies.
In terms of the allure of this major, the field of media carries the responsibility of effective communication with the public. Whether it be through television stations, newspapers, or new media platforms, they all represent the media's perspective and voice in disseminating information, opinions, and attitudes to the public. Personally, I am attracted to the sense of responsibility and achievement that this profession brings.
Regarding the career prospects, I initially chose this major because I knew I had a strong passion for it, which can be traced back to my involvement in writing and submitting articles to magazines during my younger years. In my opinion, this major has numerous appealing aspects. For instance, when I think about CUC's communication program, it brings to mind esteemed national media organizations such as CCTV and Xinhua News Agency. There are also talented media professionals across various platforms. If one excels in this field and showcases their unique qualities, it can be particularly enticing. Moreover, for many individuals, especially women, the prospect of becoming a talk show host on television or reporting news on behalf of a TV station holds a special allure.
Since childhood, watching CCTV has fueled my dream of pursuing a career in the media. In college, I have dedicated myself to see if I can seize the opportunity to excel in this industry.
I believe that certain public opinions about this major may not accurately represent the whole picture. For instance, the notion of journalism having low salaries or limited prospects for those studying new media in ordinary schools. It is important to recognize that every major has both exceptional individuals and those who perform at an average level. We should analyze the specific circumstances and consider personal inclinations. If you have discovered your own findings in this field and possess your own ideas, then it may very well be the most suitable profession for you.
As for income, it is not necessarily indicative of low salaries. Some of my classmates and alumni involved in self-media, commercial activities, photography, and entrepreneurship earn tens of thousands of dollars per month. Thus, it would be inappropriate to generalize the overall development prospects of a major based on a single aspect. Choosing a career should be based on whether it can provide you with what you desire and help you become the person you aspire to be.
Volume 2: From the Influence of the Internet to the Perseverance of Media Professionals
It is undeniable that traditional media has not thrived as it did in previous decades due to the impact of the Internet. Nowadays, people do not watch as many TV programs, and it is an inevitable trend for media to transition to online platforms, which brings both opportunities and challenges. Unlike the traditional style of news delivered by TV anchors in the past, internet-based new media platforms offer diverse channels and formats. For example, People's Daily launched h5 news tweets, CCTV anchors engage in short video broadcasting, and media organizations like The Paper and Sichuan News create self-media accounts on Douyin to share short videos. All of these platforms aim to present news in different formats, allowing the audience to choose the form that interests them the most to stay informed about current events.
Moreover, even traditional TV programs, such as large-scale party broadcasts, are adapting to new media by adopting a more relaxed and entertaining approach. These programs become more relatable and accessible to the audience, incorporating elements like variety effects and VR/AR technology. This shift aligns with the needs of today's audience and caters to the era of rapid technological advancements. The media is adjusting its approach to be more user-friendly, shedding the perception of being distant and bureaucratic.
There is also an increased emphasis on humanistic care, with media professionals paying more attention to the demands and psychology of ordinary users while filling information gaps. These developments present great opportunities for media growth facilitated by internet platforms.
However, there are also challenges. Information overload and fragmentation are prevalent issues, with individuals receiving copious amounts of information daily but struggling to extract valuable content. This overload burdens people with fragmented reading. Additionally, the quality of news varies widely. Some practitioners prioritize being the first to report on hot topics, sometimes compromising quality due to the demanding pace of work and the need for timeliness. In more serious cases, misinformation is shared without a proper understanding of the truth, leading the public to believe in something false. This failure to uphold responsibility is concerning. The fast-paced nature of news dissemination places higher demands on journalists, who should not sacrifice truth-seeking for the sake of chasing popular topics and gaining traffic.
From a personal standpoint, the overall impact of the Internet on the media is mostly positive. Media development is becoming more diverse, with a wider range of content creation formats and increased opportunities to engage the general public. Although the issues of information clutter and rumors pose challenges for practitioners, it is crucial to adapt to Internet-driven developments and seize the opportunities they present.
Journalism typically represents the voice of authorities, and in this context, "persistence" implies our responsibility to convey the truth, uphold correct values, report events truthfully, and disseminate positive energy to the public. Many people rely on media workers to stay informed about events. As professionals who act as voices for society, media practitioners must possess media literacy and not compromise their commitment to truth-seeking for economic gain or personal interests. This sense of professional responsibility is closely tied to one's sense of belonging and achievement in the occupation.
Volume 3: Founding Soul Transmitter Digital Art Platform
I embarked on a project called Soul Transmitter, inspired by my participation in the Challenge Cup competition during my sophomore year. The competition required me to conceive a project within five different areas. At that time, I was involved in forum planning in the event department of Phoenix TV, focusing on cultural travel. This experience sparked the idea of developing a cultural travel program, incorporating immersive interactive games to showcase the culture of various scenic spots. Initially, the project centered on a lesser-known region in Guizhou. I assembled a team of around ten students from different disciplines to collaborate on this endeavor, and we ultimately received the school-level excellence award. Leading the team for the first time in my sophomore year and successfully participating in the competition boosted my confidence in my project coordination abilities. I still vividly recall the joy I felt when we entered the school-level competition.
However, I soon realized that the creative field of cultural travel was saturated, and coinciding with the outbreak of the pandemic, the popularity of mobile phones and the metaverse concept piqued my interest. Consequently, I decided to embark on a metaverse-related project, eventually choosing digital collections as the focus. While there were numerous projects related to intangible cultural heritage in the competition, including various small programs and apps throughout the country, we resisted the temptation and opted for a media-related endeavor that we were familiar with: a spiritual data collection project combining news media and NFT technology.
I dedicated a week to contemplating its operations, business model, and potential partnerships. The initial framework ideas, such as the online presentation of digital collections based on classic news stories IP, the sale of derivative entities, and subsequent collaborations with external institutions, have been incorporated into the project's public account. This project later received the city award in the Internet+ category at our school, attracting more students to join our efforts.
During the first entrepreneurial carnival, most of the stalls featured cultural and creative products designed by our team. I was the first individual in the school to transform my creative competition project into a physical booth at the entrepreneurial carnival, converting it into a tangible reality. We transformed digital collections into campus cultural and creative products available for sale. After participating in the project two or three times, the visibility of our team's project significantly increased, providing me with a great deal of confidence and motivation.
Since last year, the competitions I have participated in have consistently achieved better results than second place in Beijing. Simultaneously, I have been leading the team in promoting our products and conceptualizing creative ideas to build a distinctive IP brand.
Currently, we are facing a bottleneck in terms of the project's competitiveness in the eyes of external customers and within the cultural and creative market. I am actively contemplating ways to transition this campus project into a genuine brand that resonates with a broader audience.
Volume 4: Looking Ahead: The Meta-Universe, Social Structure, and the Venture Capital Environment
Ever since Mark Zuckerberg renamed Facebook to Meta, the concept of the meta-universe has gained immense popularity. During my venture capital roadshow experiences, I noticed that many companies are eager to develop meta-universe products. However, these products generally share similarities and have relatively simple forms. I have categorized them into three main types: immersive exhibitions, digital robots, and digital collection NFTs. This trend is indicative of the assumptions surrounding web3.0 and the emerging economic landscape of the Internet. Yet, there is still no product that fully embodies the meta-universe concept, and the term itself remains largely conceptual.
There has been recent speculation about the decline of the meta-universe hype. From my perspective, the meta-universe is still in its infancy, with little tangible change having occurred thus far.
Today's social environment provides significant support for young entrepreneurs. Since my sophomore year, I have been constantly immersed in the entrepreneurial atmosphere. The overall environment is positive and dynamic, fostering an atmosphere conducive to the growth of young entrepreneurs and small startups. Over the next five to ten years, we can expect to see an increasing number of young college entrepreneurs who are willing to challenge conventions and leverage their creativity and ideas.
My team is preparing to register our company in 2024 and expand further. When I participated in competitions, there were numerous event organizing committees and sponsors that offered incubation programs and opportunities for collaboration with young startup teams. This positive environment will continue to encourage more individuals to invest in entrepreneurship.
Motto
While I have not yet settled on my own motto, I often jot down phrases in my notebook when I feel tired. For instance, "Be a brave and resilient individual, and remain grounded in your values." There is also an ancient poem that resonates with me: "A long journey proves the stamina of a horse, and the passage of time reveals truth from falsehood." It signifies that as long as one perseveres, the future will reward them. The third line is "Looking back, the boat has traversed thousands of mountains; Looking ahead, a long and bright path lies ahead." I have always sought to truly grasp the meaning behind these lines, but I believe there are still many accomplishments awaiting me, and I have yet to experience the feeling of "crossing thousands of mountains" described in the verse.
There is a saying that "every girl who shines in the crowd is walking on the edge of a knife." Whether it is during interviews or in the realm of self-media, people rarely display their negative or challenging moments. The outside world may perceive everything as smooth and be surprised by certain achievements. However, the reality is that success does not come without obstacles, and we must overcome them. When internal conflicts arise, I often write down such words and seek inspiration from motivational content to adjust my mindset.
One aspect of myself that I am satisfied with is my inner strength and emotional resilience. I do not allow negative emotions to hinder my plans and personal life. During difficult and exhausting times, I remind myself that these challenges will help me establish a foothold in Beijing and bring me closer to the person I aspire to become. This positive self-affirmation keeps me motivated and propels me forward. The support from my friends and network also provides me with positive feedback, creating a virtuous cycle. I am content with my current state and look forward to advancing towards new goals and reaching new heights in the future.
Producer：Isabella Wang
Interviewer & Text：Christine
Translator: Maoxing Duo
Formatting: Amy Pan
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