Why I Picked English, Sociology And Media At A Level
From the age of around 12, I had the idea of becoming of journalist in my head. After working hard at GSCE, I knew that I needed to pick the right subjects in order for me to obtain the necessary skills needed for me to progress to university and pursue my dream.
I chose English at A Level after achieving two A’s in the subject at GSCE. After enjoying it prior to post 16 study, I knew that choosing it would mean that it would be a whole lot harder than before. I chose the Language course instead of Literature or combined as I knew that Language would prove more beneficial in regards to my career path in the future. Every journalist needs a good foundation of English and there was no better course than this, to equip me with the expertise needed for me to succeed in the field. My course actually includes a coursework piece that is to be written in a journalistic style – ideal for me! I am finding the course very enjoyable especially with the textual analysis and specialist terms that I have learned this year. After completing my first year mocks, I am on track for getting an A grade overall.
I decided to take Art, Craft and Design as I loved the subject before I started my A Levels, however in the first two weeks of starting the course I did not find it in anyway similar to how it was at GSCE. I was not doing well in it, due to lack of interest and motivation I had. Sociology had always intrigued me so naturally, I knew I needed to change to that. In the second half of the Autumn term of my first year, I swapped to Sociology which proved to be a great choice for me to have made as after taking my mock in the subject I obtained a B grade – which I am more than pleased with. I think that Sociology is more appropriate for me to study as every journalist needs to a good level of understanding of wider societies to ensure that they can see other sides to stories concerning other cultures. A sociologist Peter Berger once said that “the fascination of sociology lies in the fact that its perspective makes us see in a new light the very world in which we have lived all of our lives.”, this is very true of journalism too.
Media Studies has always been a definite choice at A Level for me as it would help me to get a deep understanding of the media industries including film, social media and television. The coursework in this course is especially useful for my future profession as I produced and edited my own CD cover, which helps me to build on my IT skills which are vital. This knowledge is essential the becoming a journalist as after all the profession is media and digitally based. I have found Media to be the most interesting subject by far, as it has relevance in many parts of not only many studying but day to day life. I took my real exam for this and I am hoping for a B in this subject.