Do digital skills development factors predict the online journalism readiness of mass communication students?

While Internet technologies have gradually transformed how news is produced and consumed, journalism schools have been challenged to match the online skills they offer with industry needs, in order to produce ‘online-ready’ graduates. This study explores the role of selected digital skills development factors (training content, training resources, students’ online habits, industry experiences and online attitudes) in mass communication students’ perceived preparedness for online journalism practice. The study employs a mixed-methods approach including a survey of 182 finalist mass communication students from five Rwandan universities, focus group discussions and a review of Online Journalism modules. Results showed positive correlations between the factors and students’ online journalism preparedness, with industry experiences, students’ attitudes to online tools and training resources having the greatest positive correlation.