Irene J: Double Major! My Journey Through COM’s Rich Academic Landscape

As I approach my final semester at BU, I’m struck by how swiftly the time has passed. Soon, I’ll don the regalia and mark the culmination of an incredible journey. Yet, this semester, I made another significant decision for my academic career—I chose to double major within the College of Communication (COM), transitioning my minor in Film and TV into a double major alongside Media Science.

Why this eleventh-hour shift, you might wonder? I’m eager to share the unique opportunities available at COM and illustrate my journey, hoping to inspire and guide future students passionate about deepening their academic exploration.

My studies have always been driven by a fascination with the intersection of the entertainment industry—particularly film—and the transformative role of media and consumer experience. Media Science laid the foundational understanding of media strategy and the creative aspects of branding. Over time, I broadened my scope to include insights into the film industry and its business dynamics, enriching my upper-classman years’ learning experience.

However, as my undergraduate path neared its end, I felt a lingering sense of incompletion—a feeling that I hadn’t fully pursued my interests. This realization propelled me to delve deeper into the film, exploring its persuasive power and impact on audiences.

Embarking on this path so late in my undergraduate career might seem daunting but thrilling at the same time. It’s a reminder that the pursuit of passion knows no timetable and that it’s the fervor and dedication we bring to our endeavors that define our academic and professional journeys.

I share this story not just as a personal narrative but as an invitation to future students of COM! To those who stand where I once did, teetering on the edge of decision, I say: Dive deep into your passions. The journey may be fraught with challenges, but it is also replete with unparalleled opportunities for growth, discovery, and fulfillment.

Irene J: Opportunities at COM – BUTV10 & WTBU

Boston University's College of Communication student body has a huge range of extracurricular activities - entertaining but also highly professional! I would love to share my experience and the opportunities you can get with the COM. 

BUTV10 is a student-operated media production and distribution service, offering a variety of programs ranging from news, comedy, and drama, to variety shows. It is open to all BU students regardless of their majors and provides professional experience at the studio, with cameras, and working as a crew behind the scenes. 

I have been involved in The Wire, a daily news program in BUTV10 as a videographer and an anchor for a year. Starting as a camera operator in my sophomore year, I learned the work behind the scene and how the show is crafted with the collaboration of the crew. Then I switched my interest to on-camera talent to report a health and science feature every other week. Yes, it is hard to get up at 7 am in the morning and get ready for your story the night before the show, but nothing is more worthy than to see your show after THE busy morning! 

WTBU, the college's longest-running radio station, is another great opportunity you can have. We broadcast live 20 hours a day and all our shows are run by students! It is the perfect ground for creative content creation where you can pitch your ideas, DJ, and make the show go live on 89.3 FM. All DJs are trained as an intern on the station for a semester. 

I have been on the team of WTBU News, airing on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6 PM-8 PM. You can be a reporter, a director, or an anchor for a show with amazing crew members. Again, the majors don’t matter as long as you are passionate about news reporting, which gave me a great opportunity to be involved on campus.  

Much more COM clubs and activities are here waiting for you! Feel free to reach out for any questions to the COM ambassador.