Üsküdar University Faculty of Communication Dean Prof. Dr. Süleyman İrvan stated, "In a process where every profession is digitalizing, communication professions, especially those focusing on digital content production, come to the forefront, becoming more popular."
Üsküdar University Faculty of Communication Dean Prof. Dr. Süleyman İrvan, stating that communication education in Turkey has reached an assertive point, said, 'As a necessity of the era, new communication professions are emerging, and many people have started to earn their livelihoods from these professions. For example, influencing and YouTubing, which have equivalents like 'influencer' and 'experiencer' in Turkish, are quite popular professions.'
According to the statement made by the university, communication education in Turkey first started with journalism education. In 1982, higher education institutions providing education in journalism, public relations, and radio-television under different names were transformed into schools of press and broadcasting.
Initially, communication faculties, which were only found in state universities, also began to open in foundation universities established in the 1990s. Today, there are 61 communication faculties in Turkey, 40 in state universities and 21 in foundation universities. Additionally, with seven communication faculties — five in universities in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) that admit students via ÖSYM, one in Macedonia, and one in Kyrgyzstan — the total number has reached 68.
Stating that this number shows the increasing widespread adoption of communication education, Prof. Dr. Süleyman İrvan provided information about the professional field.
Prof. Dr. Süleyman İrvan, whose views were included in the statement, stated that communication professions are new professions, while some, like journalism, have a history of at least 400 years.
İrvan said, 'Nevertheless, 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, especially those focusing on digital content production, come to the forefront, becoming more popular.
Moreover, new communication professions we never thought of before are emerging, and many people are earning their living from these professions. For example, influencing, which has equivalents like 'influencer' and 'experiencer' in Turkish, is a quite popular profession. So is YouTubing. In fact, some social media experts define themselves as digital content creators. This means we now have such a new communication profession,' he assessed.
İrvan stated that the professions that adapt most quickly and easily to the digitalization process are actually communication professions, and pointed out that digitalization is considered indispensable in the field of communication.
İrvan stated that they observe the positive reflections of this, adding:
'For example, we now write, share, and consume news in digital environments. Digitalization has also transformed the television, cinema, advertising, and even public relations sectors. Just as we constantly update our computers and 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.'
'Journalism requires possessing inquisitive, questioning, skeptical personality traits'
Emphasizing that every profession has unique personality traits, İrvan noted that, for example, the journalism profession requires possessing inquisitive, questioning, skeptical personality traits.
İrvan stated that a personality trait that is not curious or questioning is not suitable for journalism. Stating that young people with strong artistic inclinations and artistic personalities are suitable for cartoon and animation, visual communication design, and even advertising, İrvan added, 'People who enjoy communicating with others and persuading them are more suitable for public relations, advertising, and new media fields. Those who enjoy talking can become radio hosts or television broadcasters. Those who love good storytelling can become filmmakers. Young people can fill out a comprehensive, full 90-question career test to see which profession is more suitable for their personality traits,' he explained.
Stating that they provide communication education in 7 departments at Üsküdar University Faculty of Communication, İrvan listed 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 stated that the Journalism, Visual Communication Design, and Advertising departments are currently accredited by İLAD.
'We see theoretical courses as the columns of the building'
İrvan drew attention to the inseparable unity of theory and practice at the faculty, making the following assessments:
'We strive to provide our students with a strong theoretical education through our competent academicians. Because we are aware that theoretical education is the foundation of communication professions. We view theoretical courses as the columns of the building. Just as a solid building rises on strong columns, a robust communication education is possible with well-designed theoretical courses. At the same time, we claim to provide high-quality practical training. A significant portion of our practical courses are taught by industry professionals. Thus, our students have the opportunity to get to know the industry more closely. Furthermore, our students get the chance to apply what they learn by taking on roles in Üsküdar University Radio and TV studios, with our News Agencies, and in our practice newspaper, gaining experience by actively participating in events.'
'The ways to be a good communicator are through extensive reading, extensive writing, and following current events'
İrvan stated that graduates of the Faculty of Communication can find employment in news websites, newspapers, television stations, public relations departments, advertising agencies, and fields requiring visual communication design.
Advising young people, İrvan noted that they should grasp the language and logic of programs that will assist them, especially in content production, adding, 'For example, a person who knows how to ride a bicycle can easily ride a scooter or a motorcycle. A designer who knows the Indesign program can easily grasp different design programs. Of course, the ways to be a good communicator are through extensive reading, extensive writing, and following current events,' he stated.