Discover what it takes to become a journalist, including required education, career specialties, essential skills, and tips for landing a job in the industry.
The world of journalism can be very exciting. Journalists are on the cutting edge of local and global events, helping to keep the world informed about both hard news and gossip. Before you take a big step toward becoming a journalist—such as enrolling in a top journalism school—please make sure you are aware of journalists' salaries and the competition for journalism jobs. The climate for newspaper journalists is especially tough right now.
Once you are sure that a journalism career is right for you, here is what you need to do:
- Education comes first. A degree in journalism, English, or communications is beneficial for those wishing to pursue a career in journalism. In addition to helping you gain the necessary knowledge, many universities offer job placement services to new graduates and alumni. Some journalists are able to find employment without a college degree, but most often, those jobs are at community newspapers or very small publications.
If you are hoping to work for a large publication or production company, your best bet is a solid education. Attending journalism school, also called J-school, is an investment in your future. Enrolling in shortcut programs, such as seminars and classes offering "certificates of completion," although tempting, should be avoided. Additionally, be wary of online universities that promise a degree based on "life experience." Many of these are not affiliated in any way with an accredited university. There are a number of good online colleges, but most—if not all—are sister schools to brick-and-mortar universities. Journalism college is very important. It is especially good to find a journalism college with a reputable student newspaper or television program; you will want to get as much hands-on journalism experience as possible while still in school. This will help you secure a journalism internship and bypass the catch-22 of needing journalism experience before you can get a journalism job.
Publishers, especially those with worldwide recognition, will respect your commitment to getting a solid education.
Since your salary will increase with each level of education that you complete, it is wise to look for employment with a mid-sized publisher after completing your bachelor's degree. At that education level, some employers will be able to meet your salary expectations, opening up a nice variety of options for your first job in journalism. As you continue to pursue an advanced degree, you will make many valuable contacts through your work for future job opportunities. This combination of actively working your craft as you advance your journalism education is your best recipe for success.
- Pick a specialty. Jobs in journalism vary immensely, so it is important to decide exactly what path you wish to take. Here are just a few types of journalists:
- Newspaper reporters cover stories for community, metropolitan, or national publications. Stories are often fast-breaking, so you must be flexible and able to think on your feet. Deadlines are typically tight, so be prepared to write with speed and accuracy.
- Investigative reporters are employed by
newspapers, magazines, and television networks. Investigative journalism entails getting to the bottom of stories about politics, crime, and various scandals. Necessary traits include the ability to discern fact from fiction and being a resourceful researcher. This is a "no fluff" type of job. - Foreign correspondents are employed by a media source in one country and stationed abroad. They often cover government, religion, and situations of political unrest, and are frequently placed in potentially dangerous environments. Although this line of journalism can be well-paying and quite high-profile, foreign correspondents must travel extensively and often for extended periods.
- Broadcast journalists include television and radio reporters and news anchors. Such journalists specialize in straight reporting with an emphasis on concise—rather than in-depth—coverage. In addition to sharp reporting and research skills, broadcast journalists must also have pleasing voices and a certain level of physical attractiveness. A less frequently considered area of broadcast journalism is documentary writing for film or television, which gives a journalist the opportunity to delve deeper into stories of interest.
- Photojournalists use both film and still images to capture news events and are widely employed by all sources of media, including newspapers, magazines, and television. An artistic eye, as well as the ability to choose just the right moments to record for history, is necessary. Photojournalists must be "in the moment" at events ranging from celebrity-rich awards shows to natural disasters.
- Sports journalists report on popular sports for radio, newspapers, and online platforms.
- Online journalists focus on the 24/7 news cycle available on the web; these journalists need to be fast.
- You've got to have the right stuff. No matter which branch of journalism interests you, certain traits are essential for all. Journalists must be inquisitive and have a "nose for news." Good journalists must employ high ethics at all times, verify facts, be trustworthy with sensitive information, and occasionally be willing to protect the source of their information if revealing it would put someone at risk. Additionally, they must relate well to a wide variety of people and adapt to constantly changing circumstances. Lastly, an unbiased attitude is required for almost all areas of journalism to ensure a neutral reporting of facts rather than opinions. The one exception is columnists, who are employed specifically to offer personal commentary.
- Get your foot in the door. Actively seek internships during your last two years of college. Many newspapers, magazines, and television and radio stations offer internships (often unpaid) to undergraduate and graduate students. Check the websites of media companies in your town, as many advertise internships online. Journalism internships are key to securing future jobs, as many seasoned journalists will tell you.
- Networking works. One of the best ways to secure a job in journalism is to let friends and family members know you are looking. Spread the word to members of any clubs or associations you belong to, as well as trusted coworkers. Look for opportunities to meet people in the field by signing up for writing workshops and journalism classes.
- Think big, but start small. It is unlikely that your first job as a journalist will be high-paying or high-profile (unless you are an exceptional networker), but getting a job at a community newspaper or local television station is a great start. Once you are working in the field, you will have the chance to prove yourself and actively seek advancement.
Become a journalist: education, jobs, and specialties
Discover what it takes to become a journalist, including required education, career specialties, essential skills, and tips for landing a job in the industry.
The world of journalism can be very exciting. Journalists are on the cutting edge of local and global events, helping to keep the world informed about both hard news and gossip. Before you take a big step toward becoming a journalist—such as enrolling in a top journalism school—please make sure you are aware of journalists' salaries and the competition for journalism jobs. The climate for newspaper journalists is especially tough right now.
Once you are sure that a journalism career is right for you, here is what you need to do:
- Education comes first. A degree in journalism, English, or communications is beneficial for those wishing to pursue a career in journalism. In addition to helping you gain the necessary knowledge, many universities offer job placement services to new graduates and alumni. Some journalists are able to find employment without a college degree, but most often, those jobs are at community newspapers or very small publications.
If you are hoping to work for a large publication or production company, your best bet is a solid education. Attending journalism school, also called J-school, is an investment in your future. Enrolling in shortcut programs, such as seminars and classes offering "certificates of completion," although tempting, should be avoided. Additionally, be wary of online universities that promise a degree based on "life experience." Many of these are not affiliated in any way with an accredited university. There are a number of good online colleges, but most—if not all—are sister schools to brick-and-mortar universities. Journalism college is very important. It is especially good to find a journalism college with a reputable student newspaper or television program; you will want to get as much hands-on journalism experience as possible while still in school. This will help you secure a journalism internship and bypass the catch-22 of needing journalism experience before you can get a journalism job.
Publishers, especially those with worldwide recognition, will respect your commitment to getting a solid education.
Since your salary will increase with each level of education that you complete, it is wise to look for employment with a mid-sized publisher after completing your bachelor's degree. At that education level, some employers will be able to meet your salary expectations, opening up a nice variety of options for your first job in journalism. As you continue to pursue an advanced degree, you will make many valuable contacts through your work for future job opportunities. This combination of actively working your craft as you advance your journalism education is your best recipe for success.
- Pick a specialty. Jobs in journalism vary immensely, so it is important to decide exactly what path you wish to take. Here are just a few types of journalists:
- Newspaper reporters cover stories for community, metropolitan, or national publications. Stories are often fast-breaking, so you must be flexible and able to think on your feet. Deadlines are typically tight, so be prepared to write with speed and accuracy.
- Investigative reporters are employed by newspapers, magazines, and television networks. Investigative journalism entails getting to the bottom of stories about politics, crime, and various scandals. Necessary traits include the ability to discern fact from fiction and being a resourceful researcher. This is a "no fluff" type of job.
- Foreign correspondents are employed by a media source in one country and stationed abroad. They often cover government, religion, and situations of political unrest, and are frequently placed in potentially dangerous environments. Although this line of journalism can be well-paying and quite high-profile, foreign correspondents must travel extensively and often for extended periods.
- Broadcast journalists include television and radio reporters and news anchors. Such journalists specialize in straight reporting with an emphasis on concise—rather than in-depth—coverage. In addition to sharp reporting and research skills, broadcast journalists must also have pleasing voices and a certain level of physical attractiveness. A less frequently considered area of broadcast journalism is documentary writing for film or television, which gives a journalist the opportunity to delve deeper into stories of interest.
- Photojournalists use both film and still images to capture news events and are widely employed by all sources of media, including newspapers, magazines, and television. An artistic eye, as well as the ability to choose just the right moments to record for history, is necessary. Photojournalists must be "in the moment" at events ranging from celebrity-rich awards shows to natural disasters.
- Sports journalists report on popular sports for radio, newspapers, and online platforms.
- Online journalists focus on the 24/7 news cycle available on the web; these journalists need to be fast.
- You've got to have the right stuff. No matter which branch of journalism interests you, certain traits are essential for all. Journalists must be inquisitive and have a "nose for news." Good journalists must employ high ethics at all times, verify facts, be trustworthy with sensitive information, and occasionally be willing to protect the source of their information if revealing it would put someone at risk. Additionally, they must relate well to a wide variety of people and adapt to constantly changing circumstances. Lastly, an unbiased attitude is required for almost all areas of journalism to ensure a neutral reporting of facts rather than opinions. The one exception is columnists, who are employed specifically to offer personal commentary.
- Get your foot in the door. Actively seek internships during your last two years of college. Many newspapers, magazines, and television and radio stations offer internships (often unpaid) to undergraduate and graduate students. Check the websites of media companies in your town, as many advertise internships online. Journalism internships are key to securing future jobs, as many seasoned journalists will tell you.
- Networking works. One of the best ways to secure a job in journalism is to let friends and family members know you are looking. Spread the word to members of any clubs or associations you belong to, as well as trusted coworkers. Look for opportunities to meet people in the field by signing up for writing workshops and journalism classes.
- Think big, but start small. It is unlikely that your first job as a journalist will be high-paying or high-profile (unless you are an exceptional networker), but getting a job at a community newspaper or local television station is a great start. Once you are working in the field, you will have the chance to prove yourself and actively seek advancement.
Become a journalist: education, jobs, and specialties
By Howtodotips
Discover what it takes to become a journalist, including required education, career specialties, essential skills, and tips for landing a job in the industry.