CAREERS CORNER A journalist investigates and reports upon events and issues to an audience. They can do this through many different kinds of media: newspapers, magazines, television, radio, and online. Journalism can be separated very simply into two main schools, the first being news, where stories are broken - or reported - as they happen, investigations are carried out into issues, and in-depth studies, or features, into interesting subjects that may not be on the news agenda. The second is opinion-based journalism, which includes columns, where a journalist can give their thoughts on a subject of their choosing, and reviews. An inquisitive mind is key for a journalist, as is a good grasp of grammar, excellent communication skills, and a personable attitude. While it can be a fun and glamorous job – especially at the top – with invitations to parties and press trips to see different parts of the world, it can also be very demanding and draining, with long and unsociable hours, shift work, and the need to be relentless in chasing the leads for a story. Expect to start at the bottom - you have to pay your dues in order to reap the benefits. The contemporary face of journalism is changing, with a requirement to be able to work across the different media platforms, and especially online as the importance of print continues to decline. How to get into journalism Experience, luck and contacts are key. Journalism is a popular profession that is oversubscribed and competition for jobs is fierce. It is essential to demonstrate an interest in the profession and get as much experience as possible. Involvement in student media is a great starting point, from working on the college or university newspaper, to helping out in your radio station. Setting up your own blog is also an ideal place to hone your voice, showcase your abilities and demonstrate your understanding of websites and social media, which are quickly usurping print in importance. A degree is usually required of a candidate who wishes to get into journalism – this degree doesn’t have to be subject-specific. There are undergraduate journalism degrees available at some institutions around the country, however a lot of people study an academic course for their undergraduate degree and then take a postgraduate journalism course to learn the basic skills for the profession.
Posted on: Sat, 13 Dec 2014 20:13:36 +0000
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