Common Core, a new standard for education, is rapidly sweeping through the nation. The new standards offer a clear understanding of what relevant skills students need to operate in the real world.

With these standards for education, some journalism or publications classes are being cut, as they are not considered a “core class.” But journalism offers skills that are completely relevant to the real world.

Journalism is one of the few classes to offer actual, real life skills that are beneficial to anyone, and everyone looking for a steady, well-paying job. From teaching critical writing skills, to the in’s and out’s of social media, to analyzing important and relevant information, to working with a team; this class offers knowledge that students cannot simply learn in one of their mandatory classes.

Besides offering real life skills to students who take journalism, the class also offers an excellent opportunity to build up student resumes for college. Most colleges require a sample of a student’s writing before they admit the student to their campus. Journalism takes care of this requirement.

All students in the class are given the opportunity to write dozens of articles and papers for the school newspaper. Colleges can review articles written by students to fulfill their need for a writing sample.

Some may hate to hear this, but writing, and more importantly, critical writing is a growing necessity in the world. All well-paying, white-collar jobs do require a writing skill of some sort. The only jobs that do not require any writing abilities are very low-paying, physical labor jobs.

Journalism helps students with their writing skills by allowing them to write and produce articles that are then peer edited. This process allows students to learn from their writing mistakes, correct their mistakes, and then makes sure they will not make the same mistake again. Practice makes perfect.

On top of writing skills, journalism also offers the unique opportunity for students to use, and practice with social media. This skill is also a growing necessity in the world. Everyone in last decade has developed a growing need to be connected to everyone, even strangers, through a virtual screen.

Jobs and colleges are beginning to accommodate this need by integrating their technologies and systems with social media. Corporations have started their own accounts on various social media websites to increase their own publicity. A young person who knows how to properly utilize social media would be considered invaluable to corporations that thrive on popularity.

Colleges have also taken steps towards using social media. Assignments have changed from writing paper essays to making podcasts, videos and blogs. To someone who has not made a video, a podcast or a blog, this transition could prove frightening.

Luckily, journalism already requires students to use a social media network (either Facebook or Twitter) and use it regularly for a grade. Videos, podcasts and blogs need to be created to maintain a good grade in campus journalism as well. Students who participate in the school newspaper will be three steps ahead of everyone who has not.

Critical writing, social media use, video and podcast productions are just some of the many important skills journalism teaches its students. The most important skill this class can teach its student is what its like to work in at a actual job.

Listen to my podcast if you want to learn how the school newspaper is like a job, why I decided to take the class and how it has benefitted me.

PODCAST: Student expands on elective choice: Nov. 20, 2013–

Make sure to listen to Tynin’s podcast on the new Common Core standards and how it is affecting journalism students everywhere.

Check out websites like Inside MC and Bismark Schools to learn more about why you should take journalism.

To look at a simple five reasons why you should take journalism, make sure to visit About.com

To learn about some of the pros and cons of the new Common Core standards, make sure to visit Houmatoday.com

This author can be reached via Twitter: @RRoggenstein. Follow The Feather via Twitter: @thefeather.