A growing debate in higher education centers on whether college students should pursue a major tied to a specific job or instead opt for a broader liberal arts education as a foundation for future growth. Insights shared by Kurt Achin ’87, Jeremy Gantz ’00, and Maisie Saganic '21—all journalists and writers—highlight the timeless value of communication, storytelling, and critical thinking skills, regardless of career path.

Gantz, a freelance editor and writer who currently works on special issues for TIME magazine, cautioned students against seeing the world as a dichotomy between the humanities and the sciences. “No matter the medium you choose to tell your story, the core skill is being able to synthesize information, write well, and tell a compelling story. No matter the industry in which you tell the story, these skills are essential—and will only become more valuable in a more crowded media environment.”

Achin, a former producer and writer for CNN and Voice of America, now works as a regenerative farmer and multimedia professional at FCTV. Reflecting on the foundations of his career, he noted, “I can attribute almost my entire career to Mrs. [Lalise] Melillo. She had this one thing that she drilled into everybody: when you read, you’re highlighting in real-time—selecting the absolute nugget of a sentence or paragraph. That one skill alone will take you very, very far in your writing life.”

Saganic, a fourth-year journalism student at Northeastern University, also credited Melillo’s Rhetoric class at Falmouth Academy with teaching her how to analyze speeches and craft her own.

“The world is becoming less literate,” said Gantz, “but at the same time, there are so many content needs—with the internet, websites, and creative writing.”

Saganic emphasized the importance of building a versatile portfolio. “You can include some of your schoolwork, like an essay you got a really good grade on,” she said.

Achin added that your portfolio could also include blogs, a YouTube channel, or a podcast. “You’re not necessarily trying to set the world on fire, but if you’re doing speechwriting, for example, you could write a MOTH-type speech to show what you’re capable of.”

Saganic also recommended publishing creative writing on substack.com, where readers can subscribe to your work.

The panelists acknowledged that journalism today faces serious challenges—from financial constraints to the rising tide of misinformation and disinformation. They emphasized that taking courses across subject areas not only broadens your horizons but also deepens your storytelling reservoir. “Clear, distilled communication is important in any field,” said Achin. “You are lucky that where you attend school now, there is a culture of learning to express yourself. You are being prepared to cut through the chatter and to think in verbal essays.”

Saganic agreed, noting that the skills she developed at FA continue to serve her well. “As long as you get as much experience as you can and know how to write and communicate well, that’s a super important skill. Going to this school set me up for success in that avenue.”

– Don’t interview people over email. In-person conversations allow you to connect more deeply with your subject.
– Learn basic audio and video editing and photography. These skills are increasingly valuable.
– Read widely. The more you read, the more you’ll recognize strong writing—and know how to emulate it.