Most communication professions are new fields. Communication professions focusing on digital content creation are coming to the forefront, becoming more popular. Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Communication Dean Prof. Dr. Süleyman İrvan stated that communication education in Turkey has reached an ambitious point, saying, “As a necessity of the era, new communication professions are emerging, and many people have started to earn a living from these professions. For example, influencer and Youtuber, which have equivalents like 'etkileyici' (influencer) and 'deneyimleyici' (experiencer) in Turkish, are quite popular professions. Some social media experts even define themselves as digital content producers. This means we now have such a new communication profession.” He also stated that just as we constantly update our computers and mobile phones and learn new applications, candidates who want to pursue a career in communication should update themselves in the same way. İrvan pointed out that just as a solid building rises on solid columns, a robust communication education is possible with well-designed theoretical courses.
Communication education in Turkey first began with journalism education. In 1982, higher education institutions providing education in journalism, public relations, and radio-television under different names were converted into press and publishing schools. Initially, communication faculties were only found in state universities, but in the 1990s, they also started to open in foundation universities. Today, there are 61 communication faculties in Turkey, 40 in state universities and 21 in foundation universities. In addition, with 5 communication faculties in TRNC universities that accept students via ÖSYM, 1 in Macedonia, and 1 in Kyrgyzstan, the total number has reached 68. Stating that this number indicates the increasing prevalence of communication education, Prof. Dr. Süleyman İrvan provided information about the professional field.
Communication Professions Focusing on Digital Content Production Are Coming to the Forefront
Stating that communication professions are new professions, İrvan said, “Some, like journalism, have a history of at least 400 years. Yet, it cannot be said that any of these professions have completed their lifespan. Professions like journalism are increasingly digitalizing and finding new platforms for themselves. In a process where every profession is digitalizing, communication professions focusing primarily on digital content production are coming to the forefront, becoming more popular. Moreover, new communication professions we never thought of before are emerging, and many people are earning a living from these professions. For example, 'influencerlık,' which has equivalents like 'etkileyici' (influencer) and 'deneyimleyici' (experiencer) in Turkish, is a quite popular profession. Youtuberlik is also like that. Some social media experts even define themselves as digital content producers. This means we now have such a new communication profession.”
Digitalization in Communication is Indispensable
Stating that communication professions are actually the ones that adapt fastest and easiest to the digitalization process, İrvan said, “In our field, digitalization is considered almost indispensable. We certainly see its positive reflections. For example, we now write, share, and consume news in digital environments. Digitalization has also changed the television, cinema, advertising, and even public relations sectors.” He added that the only way to keep up with the rapid developments in the field is continuous self-updating. “Just as we constantly update our computers, mobile phones and learn new applications, we also need to continuously update ourselves in the same way. Only in this way can we compete with artificial intelligence and continue to produce content that meets expectations.”
You Can Determine Which Area of Communication Suits You with a Career Test
Stating that each profession has specific personality traits, İrvan said, “For example, the journalism profession requires having investigative, questioning, and skeptical personality traits. A personality that is not curious or questioning is not suitable for journalism. Young people with strong artistic inclinations and artistic personalities are suitable for cartoon and animation, visual communication design, and even advertising. People who enjoy communicating with others and persuading them are more suitable for public relations, advertising, and new media fields. People who love to talk can be radio hosts or television presenters. Those who love good storytelling can be filmmakers. Young people can fill out a very comprehensive, full 90-question career test to see which profession is more suitable for their own personality traits.”
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Communication provides communication education in 7 departments, listing these departments as; Cartoon and Animation, Journalism, Visual Communication Design, Public Relations and Publicity, Radio-Television and Cinema, Advertising, and New Media and Communication. İrvan also said that the Journalism, Visual Communication Design, and Advertising departments are currently accredited by İLAD.
We See Theoretical Courses as the Columns of the Building
Stating that theory and practice are an inseparable whole at the faculty, İrvan said, “We strive to provide our students with a good theoretical education through our competent academicians. Because we are aware that theoretical education is the foundation of communication professions. We see theoretical courses as the columns of the building. Just as a solid building rises on solid columns, a robust communication education is possible with well-designed theoretical courses. At the same time, we claim to provide quality practical training. A significant portion of our applied courses are taught by industry professionals. Thus, our students have the opportunity to get to know the industry more closely. On the other hand, our students get the opportunity to apply what they have learned by taking on tasks in Üsküdar Üniversitesi Radio and TV studios, with our News Agencies, and in our practice newspaper, experiencing by actively participating in events.”
Being a Good Communicator Requires Following Current Trends
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Communication Dean Prof. Dr. Süleyman İrvan concluded his remarks by offering advice to those who want to work in communication professions: “Graduates of the Faculty of Communication can find jobs in news websites, newspapers, televisions, public relations departments, advertising agencies, and fields requiring visual communication design. My advice to young people is to grasp the language and logic of programs that will help them, especially in content creation. For example, a person who knows how to ride a bicycle can easily ride a scooter or a motorcycle. A designer who knows Indesign can also easily grasp different design programs. Of course, the ways to be a good communicator involve reading a lot, writing a lot, and following current trends.”