Is a journalist’s educational experience worthwhile? January 8, 2009

I couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else than Temple University and the City of Philadelphia to practice journalism. There is only so much one can learn about journalism in the question; it truly is about doing.

So…what’s a diploma worth? Ask Joe the Plumber.

Wikipedia will do the job if you’re unfamiliar with the 2008 presidential campaign’s shining star. According to the Associated Press, he’s trading in his plunger for a pen, acting as a war correspondent for the conservative pjtv.com. And all he had to do was ask a presidential candidate about his tax plan.

Upon watching The Bonnie Hunt Show at 2 a.m. this morning (insomnia, I swear), I learned that her guest, NBC Nightly News anchor and managing editor Brian Williams, was a college drop out but had “dreamed” of his current job since he was a little boy. Is that all it takes? Dreaming?

And all of this reminds me of my original broadcast idol, ABC’s Peter Jennings. He ups Williams by one — Jennings was a college and high school dropout (and Canadian, but we won’t hold that against him).

So, with 11 credits left to achieve my degree in broadcast journalism, should I just stop the ride now and quit while I’m ahead?