Ranchi, Oct. 1: Mass communication and journalism students in the city are a worried lot these days. The reason: uncertainty about their future.

The three city-based institutes ? department of journalism and mass communication (DJMC) under the Ranchi University, Prabhat Khabar Institute of Mass Communication and St Xavier?s Institute of Mass Communication ? produce at least 150 trained scribes each year.

But, the city?s news and entertainment industry can hardly offer placement to all of them. The wannabe scribes, who have role models in Barkha Dutt, Rajdeep Sardesai, Vir Sanghvi, Pronoy Roy, Chandan Mitra and Deepak Chourasia, are now busy hunting for jobs on the Internet and in newspapers.

?We are well trained. But we need a good break after passing out from the institute, which is rare here,? said Rajit Kumar a final year student of Xavier?s institute of mass communication.

However, the field professionals are hopeful. According to them, the institutes provide adequate infrastructure and training to the students. After finishing the course, the students can also apply for jobs outside the state.

?Mass communication, journalism and production techniques are some of the favourite career options among the youngsters. Advertising, postproduction in films and serials, print and electronic journalism, are also lucrative options. Though there are not many opportunities in Ranchi and Jharkhand, the metros have plenty to offer,? said Maheswar Singh Chotu, the proprietor of Visual Media, a training-cum-production centre.

?The course fee starts from Rs 10,000 for one year. But placement is a problem, which can only be solved if the state promotes entertainment as an industry,? added Singh.

?Similar courses in other states cost much more. But, pass-outs from these institutes are well-equipped to apply for jobs outside the state,? added Singh.

Director of DJMC Hrita Shukla said, ?We have eight papers, including introduction to mass communication, history of journalism, advertising besides 10 projects. The practical or internship is done at the end of the year.?

Students of the 2003-2004 batch are working for reputed media houses and news agencies like ANI, Sahara, NDTV, Hindustan and Dainik Jagran, added Shukla.

Coordinator of the St Xavier?s Institute of Mass Communication and Video Editing B.K. Sinha said, ?We have roped in guest faculties to conduct special classes. We also invite experts in the field, who are in the city for some work, to deliver lectures. Students learn from their experience.?