Key to Success: Knowledge is Power

Dhiren Dukhu is a 2005-06 EJ graduate from the Dhenkanal campus. Before IIMC, he worked as a city reporter for The Hitavada, Raipur (CG) for two years. After IIMC, he shifted to New Delhi and worked as a business journalist. He conceptualised and co-anchored India's first technology supplement (print) FC Edge for The Financial Chronicle and later on set up the news desk for Tehelka's business daily The Financial World. At present, he lives in Mumbai and works as an Assistant News Editor (features) with The Economic Times. He's a sleepy VP of IIMC Alumni Association. :)

“You're miserable, edgy and tired. You're in the perfect mood for journalism.” 

― Warren Ellis

If you want to be an MBA/IAS/social worker then do just that. Don't eat up a seat that could have produced a career journalist / PR / Ad guru. Focus on your primary goal. Nothing else matters. You'll do yourself a huge favour. There's no point in reading this piece further nor studying at IIMC. 

If you are still reading this it means a) you REALLY want to be a journalist / PR / Ad guy or b) you are curious about IIMC. Either way, hope my thoughts help yours. 

At IIMC, no matter the stream, you'll learn "Medium is the message." And that's it. Rest is all commentary. You can Study Journalism from Wikiversity also. So, why study at IIMC when the entire course material is available on the net?

You probably want....

·  Discipline and competition to improve.

·  A brand "Indian Institute" in your resume. 

·  Want to make friends.

·  Tap the largest organised network of media professionals.

·  Get a mentor, practical exposure and understanding of how the entire media industry works.

·  Become more knowledgeable and a better thinker

Then yes, IIMC is the door to get all those things. But it's not a magic portal. 

You won't instantly get...

·  Salaries like MBAs. Because it's NOT an MBA institute.

·  Fame and recognition. You need to work for it.

What you can expect to get instantly is....

·  Some preference during recruitment. 

·  Industry connections

·  Long working hours with low salary.

·  Alumni at work place to mentor you.

·  A chance make an impact with your newly-acquired skills in the real world.

Placements will largely depend on the economy, demand-supply mechanics and most importantly YOUR knowledge. Most likely you'll get what you deserve. Salaries will become better as you gain more experience, understanding of issues and maturity. 

After graduating from IIMC, initial days will be EXTREMELY tough. Work load will be high, pressure will be immense and expectations will be insane. You must have seen the crowd of journos and camera crews at press conferences on TV. On top of that your initial salary could be lower than your friend who did an MBA instead and is now working for a bank or selling soaps in villages. 

If you are lucky--whether in journalism, PR or advertisement--you'll get to work 10-14 hours a day. Anything less than that will be picnic and no one gets paid for picnics. 

You will need a reservoir of passion and patience to make a mark in media or in any other field for that matter. Industries do no favour or discrimination to your college tag. It respects quality work. That's exactly you will get to learn at IIMC.

If you are still excited about working in the media and can convincingly express it (in writing or verbally) then you are already halfway into IIMC. Rest of the way can be covered with decent GK, writing skills and common sense. Know something about everything and everything about something.

PS: Don't expect to gain all knowledge by reading only newspapers.