About a Career in Journalism
What it's like and what it takes to be in the profession
Why would you want to be a journalist?
A vision of online journalism courtesy of Tatianadarie's Blog
For you . . .Journalism education teaches you to be a good writer, editor, photographer, designer, storyteller. It teaches you to be passionate about ideas and things, to be ethical, to defend your stance and to protect your character.
For others . . .
Journalism brings you into contact with real people, their conditions, their stories, and their concerns, which are not to be taken lightly. In fact, Journalism brings new people, places and events to your doorstep everyday. You learn how to learn on the fly.
Journalists learn the great lessons of life. They know how to look at situations, problems and issues from multiple perspectives.
Journalists are networkers, building relationships with people and gateways to sources, identifying resources.
People value you for your skills when you know how to write and edit professionally, effectively and efficiently.
Journalism preparation infuses a stable intellectual foundation so you know what to say, when to say it, how to say it and why you are saying it. It teaches you how to ask tough questions and then report the answers clearly and concisely. As they say, inquiring minds want to know. A journalist has thirst on behalf of everyone.
Journalists are great researchers. They check facts over and over as they uncover all the answers to all the questions.
Journalism instills confidence and wisdom. Journalists are confident in their own research, words, and actions, and they can identify confidence in others.Societies everywhere need journalists to discover ideas, point out issues, speak up for people, and be the ever-present watchdog protecting individual freedoms.
What skills are needed?
We need curious, honest, creative journalists who understand journalism's role in society, remember its roots, think of it as a public service, and care about their communities.What tools are needed?
- Writing with clarity, relevance, brevity, readability, consistency, accuracy.
- Editing and revising for clarity, relevance, brevity, readability, consistency, accuracy.
- An eye and ear for images, photography, videography, layout, design, natural sounds.
- Competency with digital media, new media and social media tools.
How do I prepare for a career in journalism?
- A tablet or laptop computer
- A digital camera that shoots stills and video
- A digital audio recorder
- Software apps for editing text, audio, photos and video
- A blog, wiki or other content management system for texts, audio, photos and video
- Social networks for staying connected
There are no natural born writers. Take journalism and related courses to gain skills and learn professional standards and practices, and to understand journalism ethics and freedom of the press. Take courses in the liberal arts and sciences, so you can understand what you are communicating about. Learn by doing. Get better by practicing. Write, shoot, edit. Write, shoot, edit. Practice makes perfect.
What are some of the possible careers in journalism?Journalist, writer, author, reporter, feature writer, science writer, sports writer, technical writer, copywriter, newspaper reporter, broadcast journalist, correspondent, medical writer, political writer, military journalist, multimedia writer, business writer, education writer, web journalist, cyberjournalist, media interviewer, article researcher, news service researcher, editor, news editor, magazine editor, book editor, medical publication editor, acquisitions editor, copy editor, wire service editor, proofreader, layout editor, newsletter editor, sports editor, fact checker, rights manager, art director, lexicographer, production planner, web producer, publisher, photographer, photojournalist, videographer, graphic artist, page designer, television producer, news anchor, news director, news writer, news producer, technical director, television director, radio news person, electronic media reporter, broadcast news person, closed circuit TV director, newscaster, media researcher, public relations manager, press agent, press secretary, public information officer, publicity manager, speech writer, technical copywriter, communication specialist, hospital communications director, school information specialist, college news director, university information director, government agency spokesperson, audience analyst, communications technologist, community relations director, corporate communications director, health communication analyst, health communications, journalism teacher, professor . . . and there are more!
Learn more about journalism . . .