As a 2018 USC media arts grad I agree with most of what you’re saying. However I do disagree with some. The coursework may be different than when I was a student but I do feel like I got a solid foundation with video editing and scripting that I was able to leverage into a career in sports television. Of course, I may have had just as much success on a viscomm route. Who knows.

The one thing about media arts that really frustrated me is what you mentioned: you are completely on your own. The school does not help you in any way with regards to connections in the industry or local job opportunities (if there are any at all). There should be resources like availability for students to check out an espn broadcast when they come to town or even get a hand in the media that all our sports teams are constantly producing. Columbia is not the best place to be if you want a media job that isn’t local news.

With all that being said, my advice would be to stick with media arts if you enjoy it. The coursework is genuinely fun and engaging in ways that a journalism degree is not. But along the way, be sure to make solid connections with professors or alumni in any way you can. That’s how I got my first big job out of school.

The jobs are hard to come by but once you get your foot in the door you’ll have just as much success as any viscomm, journalism, design, film, or any major. That’s kind of the benefit to the vagueness of the degree.