A career in journalism requires excellent writing and interviewing skills, a keen sense of news, and a college degree. Starting as an unpaid intern and working odd hours is common. Networking, finding a mentor, and gaining experience through college newspapers and internships can help break into the industry.
A career in journalism offers a fast-paced environment where every day at work is different. A person looking to break into the news industry will need to have impeccable writing and interviewing skills, a keen sense of news, the ability to meet tight deadlines, and a college degree. To get into journalism, a person must be willing to start at the bottom, perhaps as an unpaid intern, and be willing to prove themselves as a worthy journalist. A budding journalist must be willing to work odd hours and interact with editors, other journalists, and various contacts in the community.
A college degree is usually required for a job in journalism. A bachelor’s degree in journalism or communications is often enough to land a job. Obtaining a master’s degree in journalism or communications can improve a person’s chances of breaking into journalism.
While in college, a person can gain experience in journalism by working on their college newspaper. Getting a college internship can also go a long way toward landing a job in journalism. While internships are usually unpaid or pay very little, they do provide an opportunity for a person to work at a newspaper magazine or real TV station. Internships also allow a person to build a portfolio and develop contacts in the field of journalism that may prove useful in the future.
After earning a degree, a person will need to continue writing. Local newspapers are a good place for a person to hone their journalism skills. Local newspapers hire reporters to cover various meetings, including school committee, city council, or planning board meetings. Another way to get into journalism, especially sports writing, is to cover local high school football games or other local sports. Working at a local newspaper is a perfect opportunity for a person to learn to deal with deadlines while developing a published body of work.
A person wanting to break into the field of journalism will need to network in order to find a job. Potential journalists should start networking as soon as they are in high school or college. Throughout one’s career, a person should maintain relationships with professors, college editors, and other journalism professionals who may have contacts that could lead to employment.
Finding a mentor can go a long way in helping someone get into journalism. Many seasoned journalists remember what it was like when they started out in the field and are willing to take a person under their wing. A mentor is someone who can pass on their experience and serve as a sounding board. A person who wants to enter the journalism profession should be willing to ask a veteran journalist to serve as a mentor.
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