A career in journalism is fast-paced and requires heavy academic preparation. Before deciding to pursue a career as a journalist, it is important to complete adequate research about what journalism is and what a job as a journalist is like. Journalists typically practice many different kinds of communication but choose one specialty. A great journalist has impressive skills in researching, interviewing, reporting, and writing. These capabilities are possible to achieve if the student is committed to their craft and willing to go build the adequate groundwork for their desired career in journalism.
For most careers, education directed to that job begins in college, but for journalism, the student must begin preparation in high school. The New York Film Academy suggests to “write for your school’s newspaper or literary journal. If your school has its own student-run publication, volunteer as a writer or editor. Just like writing blog posts, having a portfolio consisting of a variety of writing or editing examples heightens your chance of finding a job in journalism.” When a student has previous experience with writing for an established institution, it shows colleges and employers that they are committed and trained. In addition, it is vital for students to show colleges and potential employers that they are experienced and competent with technology. Technology is not only essential for writing articles, but also for finding and recording data/statistics, conducting research, and networking. For students planning to pursue journalism, high school is extremely important in the trajectory of their career.
To get a good job in the journalism field, applying to the right colleges is essential for success. To apply to the right schools, in-depth research must be done. Finding colleges with good journalism or communications programs has proven difficult. It is very important to check graduation rates and employment rates for students after their degree is completed. Students will want to know they won’t have too much trouble finding a job out of college, especially if they have loans to pay off. Once the student has applied and been accepted to the school of their choice, it is critical they enroll in courses that will prepare them for future opportunities. Courses to take include, broadcast news writing, copyediting and design, history of American media, magazine writing, mass communication, media law, ethics, and reporting. These classes will give students the tools they need to be successful in their individual careers.
While in college, taking a variety of communication courses will help students decide what type of journalism they want to pursue. Categories of journalism include investigative journalism, sports journalism, broadcast journalism, travel journalism, music journalism, and political journalism, to name a few. Investigative journalism is a form of journalism in which reporters deeply investigate one topic of choice, such as serious crimes, political corruption, or corporate criminality. Broadcast journalism is the field journalism that is broadcast on radio, television, and or the internet. Travel journalism is the field in which the practitioner travels to numerous locations, explores them, researches and writes about their cultural heritage, food, and people. Music journalism is a form of media criticism in which specialists review songs, albums and live concerts, profiles of recording artists, and reporting of artist news and music events. Political journalism is a general branch of journalism in which journalists cover all aspects of political events, elections, and controversies. The best way for a student to select a specialty is by choosing a niche that they are passionate about.
Adequate work experience is one of the most important things a student can achieve in college. Internships are the best way to get work experience while also having time for college courses. To get hired as an intern, students must reach out to various establishments and have a finished resume. Also, if a student has a portfolio with writing samples, it can help show employers the quality and style of their work. Internships also allow students to get a taste of that specific industry and see if they really want a job in that field. Students can also develop relationships and connections with people in the field of their choice which can help them get jobs later. While the practical impacts of internships are advantageous, students have the potential to gain confidence and independence throughout an internship experience as well.
After students have earned their degree, the last step to becoming a journalist is applying for jobs and working. The main aspects of selecting a job are salary, location, the opportunity for advancement, and the work environment. Making sure your job can support your lifestyle is very important, especially out of college where student loans may need to be paid off. Also, because most journalism job opportunities are typically in big cities, where rent is higher, it is crucial to make sure the salary earned is supportive and secure. If done right, a journalism career can be both emotionally and financially fulfilling.
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