As a journalist, you hold the incredible power of informing the public about news stories. You inform the public about the latest happenings in the worlds of business, politics and other influential aspects of society. It is important for you to possess excellent written and verbal communication skills if you intend upon becoming a journalist. Journalists have the ability to help the public understand and make sense of stories that happen on a daily basis. Journalists may work for news stations, newspapers, magazines, radio stations and online mass communication websites. They may work as writers, editors, publishers and anchors. A journalist plays an important role in helping the public become educated about its own history.

What’s it like to be a journalist?

As a journalist, you can expect to work long hours. You may have to report on a story that is occurring in the community at the last minute. Journalists must respond to things that happen in the world as soon as they occur. They must have the willingness to go out and “follow the story.” They should also be willing to interview key witnesses in a story. A journalist may also have to do an in-depth interview with a political figure in order to obtain the truth about a certain incident or policy. Journalists have a dedication to the truth, and they seek to share the truth with the public through their articles and interviews.

The responsibilities of a journalist can vary depending on the environment that he or she works within. If a journalist works as a news anchor, then he or she will be responsible for orally conveying stories on television. He or she will work with producers and writers in order to create news segments. A reporter may be given the task of traveling to areas that have been impacted by a natural disaster, and he or she may need to report on how the natural disaster has affected the local community.

Education Requirements

To become a journalist, one should pursue a bachelor’s degree in journalism, English or communications. It is essential for a journalist to be able to write quality articles on a short notice. He or she should also possess great research skills. A journalist should be willing to do whatever it takes to get to the heart of a story. Journalists should take courses that also expose them to the industry. It is important for a journalist to understand how to work with camera production teams. He or she should also seek to understand how industries in the media function. Gaining experience by working at a college newspaper can be very valuable for a journalist. One should also try to obtain an internship with a media outlet during his or her college years. The best way to learn about the journalism industry is by “learning on the job” and gaining experience.

Salary & How to Get a Job

The average salary of a journalist is $36,000 to $51,000. If one works for a major news agency, then he or she can make $100,000 to $500,000 a year. To obtain a position in this field, it is important for one to network with other journalists. The way in which most journalists land a position at a news agency is simply through connections. One should try to meet as many journalists as possible. One should also have a portfolio of written work that he or she can submit to a media company. A journalist will need to prove his or her abilities to a media outlet.

References:

1. http://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/reporters-correspondents-and-broadcast-news-analysts.htm
2. http://education-portal.com/journalism_career.html