This paper presents a structured career research comparison between two occupations — journalism and software engineering — drawing on labor market data from the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities. The paper outlines each career's work environment, typical tasks, physical demands, salary range, and employment outlook, then examines relevant university programs and their admission requirements and costs. A personal analysis section weighs the flexibility, values alignment, and educational demands of each field. The paper concludes with a SMART goals framework the student plans to use to meet the academic benchmarks required for admission to either program.
This paper presents research on two occupations — journalism and software engineering — drawn from labor market data published by the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities. For each career, the research covers work environment, typical tasks, degree of independence, physical demands, typical workplaces, salary range, advancement possibilities, and employment outlook, followed by an overview of relevant post-secondary programs. A personal analysis and a SMART goals action plan conclude the paper.
Occupation overview (Source: Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities, 2014, 5123 Journalists)
Work environment: Varies. Typical work tasks: Research, investigate, and report on news and public affairs; publish content via newspapers, television, radio, and other media. Degree of independence: Varies — some journalists are freelancers with total independence. Physical demands: Varies; on-scene reporters may face physical challenges, while others work in sedentary roles. Typical workplaces: Radio and television network stations, newspapers, magazines, and websites. Salary range: Average of $59,576, which is lower than the average occupational wage. Possibility for advancement: Editorial or production roles. Employment outlook: Better for journalists than for others employed in arts and culture, and overall average.
Education profile
Two universities offer relevant journalism programs: one with a four-year degree and one with a three-year program. Admission to one of these programs requires a grade of 85–55% in English plus five additional credits. The cost is approximately $3,500 per semester. Programs begin in the fall term. Graduate placement information was available for graduate students but not for undergraduate students.
Occupation overview (Source: Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities, 2014, 2173 Software Engineers and Designers)
Work environment: Varies; engineers may work as consultants, with firms, or as independent contractors in both private and public sectors. Typical work tasks: Research, design, evaluate, integrate, and maintain software applications, technical environments, operating systems, embedded software, information warehouses, and telecommunications software. Degree of independence: Varies. Physical demands: Low. Typical workplaces: Varies. Salary range: Average of $92,713, which is higher than the average occupational wage. Possibility for advancement: Depends on educational background. Employment outlook: Average.
Education profile
Two universities offer relevant software engineering programs. Admission to one of these programs requires a grade of 78–82% in Advanced Functions or Calculus and Vectors, plus five additional credits. The cost is approximately $4,360 per semester for five courses. Programs begin in the fall term. As with journalism, graduate placement information was available for graduate students but not for undergraduate students.
The two careers I found most interesting are journalism and software engineering. Although these fields may seem very different, I believe both are well-suited to a world that is increasingly turning toward the internet and computing for both educational and entertainment purposes. Journalism appeals to me because I could research critical information and share it with people in order to help them make more informed decisions. Software engineering appeals to me because I could help broaden the ways that people interact with computers, which, ultimately, lowers barriers to knowledge.
I do have concerns about both careers. Although the job market for journalists is currently average, there has been a well-documented decline in traditional journalism positions. This does not eliminate overall job opportunities, since non-traditional and freelance roles have grown as print journalism has contracted. However, the decline in traditional positions does reduce the mentoring opportunities that once existed in that field, which could make it harder for someone new to the profession to establish themselves. My concerns about software engineering are more practical: I worry that my math and science skills may not be sufficient to handle the foundational coursework required for the degree program.
One of the most appealing qualities of both careers is their flexibility. I am therefore not overly concerned about whether each occupation, as a whole, aligns perfectly with my current personality, values, or existing skill set. I will develop the necessary skills through my education, and because the degree programs are closely aligned with the careers themselves, I am not worried about entering without those skills already in place. Both careers also allow me to work within my personal value system. The ability to be largely self-directed appeals to my personality and makes me believe I will be able to assert my values in either career to a greater degree than I would in more rigid fields.
"Degree requirements, costs, and math concerns"
"Grade improvement targets using SMART framework"
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