| Some career possibilities: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Advertising Copywriter | Columnist | Copy Editor |
| Correspondent | Critic/Reviewer | Editor |
| Legislative Assistant | Literary Agent | Magazine Staff Writer |
| News Analyst | News Writer | Photojournalist |
| Press Agent | Proofreader | Public Information Officer |
| Public Relations Specialist | Publications Coordinator | Publicist |
| Radio Announcer | Reporter | Researcher |
| Speechwriter | Sports Writer | Teacher |
| Technical Writer | Webmaster | |
Journalists gather, prepare, and communicate information which is presented through newspapers, magazines, trade publications, radio, television, news services, internet and cable systems. Their work involves writing, editing, photographing, or broadcasting news items, and they may work in a variety of settings from newspapers and magazines to publishing houses and public relations firms.
Success in any journalism career requires curiosity, sound judgment, a good vocabulary, and exceptional oral and written communication skills. The ability to present information in an accurate, precise, and organized manner is extremely important. You must be willing to both write and rewrite under deadlines. Journalism is rarely a nine-to-five job, and overtime is common. You may be required to work evening, weekend, and holiday hours.
If you are interested in working as a journalist in a particular subject area, you may wish to supplement your major with courses that will help you gain expertise in that discipline. For example, if you would like to write about political issues, taking political science courses will help increase your marketability. Computer and graphic design courses may also be valuable additions to your college curriculum. In most occupations related to journalism, using computers for desktop publishing as well as to gather information and to create graphics is very important.
Broad areas of employment are:
Newspapers/Magazines: Working on a daily or weekly newspaper or magazine is the most common goal of journalism majors. Journalism majors may choose to work for a small community newspaper or a larger national publication. Many entry-level journalists begin their careers at smaller publications where they can gain a variety of experiences that will prepare them to work for a larger publication. Many journalists research and report on a variety of news items; others specialize in presenting information on sports, politics, finance, health, entertainment, local or national events, or other specific subjects. Some journalism graduates work as reporters who gather information about newsworthy events through interviews, observation, and library research. Reporters then prepare written accounts of the events, or submit facts to other staff members who write the stories. Positions also exist in editorial and research.
Television/Radio: Journalists working in electronic media hold positions both in front of the camera and behind the scenes. Like newspaper reporters, working for a television or radio station requires the ability to gather and present complete and accurate news as quickly as possible. However, journalists working in these media are limited by the scheduled amount of on-air time and must present only the key points of a story. Television reporting depends a great deal on the videotapes that support the text material. Rewriting copy to correspond with the content and length of a video presentation is common. Reporters may cover local news, as well as national and international events.
Technical Writing: Some journalism majors choose to apply their skills to the field of technical writing. Technical writers are employed by a variety of organizations from government agencies to manufacturing firms to computer companies. The primary focus of this job is to create instructional documents, manuals, directories, etc., that allow non-technical individuals to understand technical information. To succeed as a technical writer it is important to have an understanding of your subject matter; for example, if you have a science background it is more likely that you would be hired to author speeches or news releases of a scientific nature.
Business: A variety of organizations, from corporations to non-profit agencies, hire journalism majors to write articles, sales letters, brochures, newsletters, and business reports. Many journalists choose to enter fields such as public relations and advertising. Desktop publishing and graphic design are also possibilities if you have the appropriate computer skills.
Teaching: Teaching journalism at the high school and college level is another possible career path for journalism majors. High school journalism teachers often have a teaching certification in English, and may teach English, journalism, or creative writing. To teach at the college level, a Ph.D. in journalism or a related field is normally required.
If you are interested in a career in journalism, it is vital that you gain related experiences while you are in college. Participating in college activities such as writing for the college newspaper or working on the yearbook develops skills that are directly relevant to your career objective. Volunteer work and internships that are related to your career goals, such as working at a local newspaper, magazine, or radio/television station, are extremely important to achieving employment success upon graduation.
Employment prospects for journalists are expected to expand through the year 2005. However, the competition for entry positions will be significant as the number of people interested in working in journalism careers will continue to exceed the number of available positions. Some journalists work as free-lance writers, and submit articles for publication to a wide variety of publications.
Journalism can also be excellent preparation for a variety of graduate school programs. Some journalists choose to continue their education in a journalism program, but many select a curriculum that allows them to expand their expertise within a particular subject area, such as economics, business, or law. Recommendations, a good academic record, and demonstrated writing skills will be important criteria for admission to graduate school.
For further reading, consult the following books in the Career Development Center:
Bly, R.W. (1996). Careers for Writers & Others Who Have a Way With Words. Lincolnwood, IL: VGM Career Horizons.
DeGalan, J. & Lambert, S. (1994). Great Jobs for English Majors. Lincolnwood, IL: VGM Career Horizons.
Eberts, M. & Gisler, M. (1995). Careers for Bookworms & Other Literary Types. Lincolnwood, IL: VGM Career Horizons.
Ferguson, D.L. & Patten, J. (1994). Opportunities in Journalism Careers. Lincolnwood, IL: VGM Career Horizons.
Field, S. (1998). 100 Best Careers for Writers and Artists. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Macmillan Company.
Goldberg, J. (1997). Real People Working in Communications. Lincolnwood, IL: VGM Career Horizons.
Gould, J.D. & Losano, W.A. (1994). Opportunities in Technical Writing & Communications Careers. Lincolnwood, IL: VGM Career Horizons.
Guiley, R.E. (1995). Career Opportunities for Writers: 3rd Edition. New York, NY: Facts on File, Inc.
Morgan, B.J. (1993). Newspapers Career Directory. Detroit, MI: Gale Research, Inc.
Meyer, S.A. (1996). 100 Jobs in Words. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Macmillan Company.
Pattis, S.W. & Carter, R.A. (1995). Opportunities in Publishing. Lincolnwood, IL: VGM Career Horizons.
Rotman, M.B. (1995). Opportunities in Public Relations Careers. Lincolnwood, IL: VGM Career Horizons.