María Gestoso is finishing the fourth year of the double degree in Journalism and Audiovisual Communication at the Vicálvaro campus of the Rey Juan Carlos University. Although she began her university studies in the 17-18 academic year in the Audiovisual Communication degree, at the end of the first academic year she decided to take a step further in her training and enrolled, for her second year, in the double degree. .

The student is from Guadalajara and although this university degree is also taught in her province, she decided to study in the Spanish capital. This decision was made, mainly, because, according to María, "it would provide me with greater knowledge thanks to the large amount of resources and means available to this university to develop this career."

Q: When did you start to feel interested in the world of communication and audiovisual media? Why did you decide to study communication?

A: From a very young age I liked the media. Whenever I watched television I told my parents that I wanted to work there and as I grew older I began to like filmmaking, video editing and the whole communication process more and more.

Q: You started the degree in Audiovisual Communication, but after the first year you decided to make the jump to the double degree with Journalism, what led to your decision? What did the change mean for you?

A: I liked both careers equally and I tried to decide on one, so I decided to study Audiovisual Communication, since I thought that was what I wanted to focus on. Once I was in the race I realized that I also liked Journalism and I wanted to train in both areas.

Q: For someone who is thinking about studying or switching to a double degree, what benefits have you observed from being in a double degree?

A: I have noticed that the double degree is much more versatile. They try to train you in all the skills that a person who wants to dedicate himself to communication of any kind needs. You have different knowledge of two careers and that also helps you decide what you like the most and what you want to work on specifically, but giving you the opportunity to know how to work in any media position.

Q: Was it easy for you to carry out the procedures to make the change?

A: Yes. From the first moment I decided I wanted to transfer, I looked for transfer information on the university's website and there they explained the procedures by which you could do it, the deadlines and how to apply. So it was pretty easy.

Q: How was your adaptation process?

A: It didn't cost me much because I was lucky to be able to meet a girl who was exactly in my situation from day one. We went to the same subjects and managed to make friends easily. The first weeks were the worst as we had subjects from different courses, since it was difficult for us to locate ourselves. Once you get used to it there is no problem.

Q: Being one more academic year and having already taken an Audiovisual Communication course, how many subjects did you validate from the other degree? How did you plan the remaining subjects and courses?

A: Luckily, I managed to get all the subjects I had already taken in Audiovisual Communication validated. I decided to take the subjects that were necessary to be able to “up to date” with my generation, and so I did. At first I had quite a few more subjects than the rest of my classmates, but in the third year, I already had the same subjects as the others.

Q: Have you managed to finish together with the students of your promotion (99)?

A: Yes, I just finished fourth and I don't have any pending subjects from previous years.

Q: Now that you are finishing your degree, what do you like the most about it?

A: The practical subjects have been the best of the degree. They left you free when it came to doing projects that you liked, as well as being able to do them with your classmates. We had a really good time doing the jobs.

Q: What are your expectations for the future?

A: I haven't decided yet, although I know that I want to dedicate myself to the world of communication, like when I started my degree.

Q: What advice would you give to those students who want to study the same as you?

A: If you really like it, do it. It is a career that allows you to learn in depth how the media works, from all perspectives. In addition, it greatly encourages creativity because you are constantly creating new projects. It is a career that makes you collaborate a lot with your colleagues and that greatly strengthens the bond you have between all of you. In my opinion, highly recommended.