LESSONS FROM A MASS COMMUNICATION GRADUATE: FINDING YOUR NICHE AND BUILDING PRACTICAL SKILLS
Let’s be honest: seeing students in Mass Communication who already know their path while still in school always fills me with pride. It’s like they’ve cracked a code that many of us are still trying to decipher. But if you’re one of those who decided to study the course first and “figure it out later,” especially in a federal university that prioritizes theories over practicality, life may show you shege. Unless, of course, you have a relative ready to plug you into a civil service job in the Ministry of Information. In that case, you’re good to go—just get your certificate, and you’re set.
But for the rest of us? Brace yourself.
From the onset, I knew where I was headed—broadcasting, with a sprinkle of entertainment journalism. Now, journalism on its own is a beast—it’s as broad as Third Mainland Bridge traffic on Monday morning. But I knew red-carpet hosting and entertainment reporting were my sweet spots. When it came to broadcasting, I realized early that I had a voice that could charm an audience and maybe even a face for TV (yes, I said it). So, I worked on myself.
Here’s your first lesson: Don’t assume that because you’re studying Mass Communication, you can do everything. It’s a lie from the pit of Shege Central. You must narrow down your interests and develop expertise.
My niche is broadcasting and entertainment journalism. I have a friend killing it in sports journalism—that’s his lane. Another friend thrives in corporate and strategic communication, while someone else excels in advertising. And don’t even get me started on film and media enterprise. That’s how massive the field of Mass Communication is. The trick? Find your strength and double down on it. When you step out of school, you’ll need to be so good they cannot ignore you.
I began my broadcasting journey before I even got into school. Today, I can confidently say I’m one of the best radio presenters you’ll ever listen to. I’ve carved a niche in music and pop culture, and trust me, there’s no way you’ll listen to my show and not become a fan. But I didn’t stop there. I learned content development and curating for radio and TV, making me capable of working as a program manager.
And voice-overs? Let me tell you, if I dropped the names of brands I’ve voiced for in just the past few weeks, you’d think I was capping. To top it off, I also produce shows. I invested in these skills because I wanted to make myself so valuable that an employer wouldn’t even care about my degree.
Here’s the best part: I don’t even need to rely on a 9-5. I can sit at home, run my online radio, handle ads for brands, voice for companies, and still be at the top of my game.
Here’s your second lesson: The degree is great, but practical skills will take you farther. In fact, employers are more likely to hire a Geography graduate with killer presenting skills than a Mass Comm graduate who can’t deliver.
It’s no secret that you’ll find radio presenters and TV hosts who didn’t study Mass Communication. For me, that’s not just shocking; it’s a wake-up call. It should drive you to upskill and become so good that no one can take your spot. Employers don’t care about what you studied; they care about what you can do.
Mass Communication is a practical field, and your survival depends on your skill set. If you’re not good, someone else—regardless of their degree—will take your opportunity.
So, here’s my advice: pick a niche, identify your strengths, and build on them daily. That degree is important, but it won’t carry you through the stiff competition outside. The world out there is harsh, and if you leave school without skills, social competence, and the right mindset, the job market will humble you faster than JAMB math questions.
A word is enough for the wise.
