We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Career

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

How do I Become a Journalist?

By Bethany Keene
Updated: Mar 02, 2024
Views: 22,719
Share

Journalism is a rewarding career that many aspire to. If you've decided you want to become a journalist, the first step is to receive an education. Most journalists have, at the least, a bachelor's degree in English, communications or journalism. An education is a necessary stepping stone to learn about journalism and to help you get your first job with a newspaper, magazine, or other form of media. Some schools will also assist you when searching for journalism jobs.

While you are receiving your education, it is a good idea to get as much hands-on experience as you can. This means working on your school's newspaper or radio station and taking at least one, if not more, internships during your years at school. Internships can be invaluable experiences and may even lead to getting hired when the internship is complete.

As you are completing your education and hands-on experience, you should be able to determine if becoming a journalist is the career path you want to take. Journalists have to be able to find a good story, and quickly. They need to be able to approach it from an interesting angle, as well as be able to communicate effectively with other people, especially if you wish to work as a reporter or a correspondent. The ability to write clearly and concisely without the need for a lot of heavy editing is another valuable skill to have.

You will also need to determine your specialty. There are many different ways to be a journalist, including becoming a newspaper reporter in print journalism, a foreign correspondent, a photojournalist, or a broadcast journalist. The type of career you wish to pursue depends on your skills, personality, and how much you wish to travel for your job. It is helpful to try different areas while you are still in college, to make it more likely that you will be satisfied in the career you eventually choose.

When you first begin trying to become a journalist, it helps to look locally. Local newspapers, radios or television stations are likely to have entry-level positions available for new journalists, and the experience will look better on your resume when you apply for other jobs. Freelancing is another option -- many journalists support themselves by freelance writing for various publications. Searching online for jobs is another option. Keep in mind that taking a less-than-ideal job at first, such as working as a proofreader, might get you in the door and be a great start to a journalism career.

Share
Practical Adult Insights is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
By anon91225 — On Jun 20, 2010

this article can really help young or older people and give them advice on how to be a journalist.

Share
https://www.practicaladultinsights.com/how-do-i-become-a-journalist.htm
Copy this link
Practical Adult Insights, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

Practical Adult Insights, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.