Pathways are just what they sound like, courses that students take and progress in, which lead to a career path that they can take after high school. In the Walker Career Center and other similar places in Indiana high schools, there are pathway clusters such as business, education and manufacturing. There should likewise be one for media. Currently, two media classes, TV and Radio, are a part of the business pathway cluster, even though they would be better suited in a media-focused cluster. The state of Indiana needs to create a pathway cluster that includes all of the routes that can lead to a career in media, which is why there should be a media cluster of pathways.
A media cluster of pathways could include courses that lead into the Radio and TV programs such as principles of broadcasting, as well as into student publications like the newsmagazine and yearbook, such as introduction to journalism. This cluster could even include photography and photojournalism courses because those also play a huge role in media. With media becoming an increasingly prevalent part of our lives, it is important to provide the opportunity to let that be the path students take if that is something they aspire to be someday.
As of the 2023-2024 school year, the state of Indiana has not created a media cluster that includes all of the necessary courses. The state is focused on other lines of work right now, ones that they have failed to teach in the past, and are now lacking in the workforces because of it, such as construction and healthcare.
“I don’t think they see media as a place that is hurting the state,” assistant principal Bre Brown said. “From an economic growth perspective, skilled trades are hurting the state. So, because [media] isn’t a high demand, high wage job, you’re not gonna get a lot of tax dollars and hours spent on it.”
While it is completely understandable for the DOE to focus on those areas, it does not take away from the fact that media is just as important. In a world where different forms of media are taking over many aspects of life, it is imperative that it is a focus in our schools.
“In 2024, [media is] more relevant than maybe it has been for a long time,” Brown said. “The skill of media can transfer across a lot of different things.”
One part of this new media cluster should be a course on social media and the influence that people can have on those platforms. Influencing on social media has become a very popular line of work, especially among younger generations who are exposed to it all the time. Some may say that social media is not a healthy line of work to get into, or that it is not a real job, but the truth is that despite those feelings, more people are finding success in that industry.
Whether we like it or not, media is becoming more and more a part of our everyday lives, therefore it is of paramount importance for people in the Indiana Department of Education with the ability to create a career path for all walks of media to take action and do it.
“Media, in its many forms, is a huge part of today's world,” counseling service department chair Rachel Schwering said. “For students to know about it and to have the opportunity to learn more about it would be very beneficial.”