A career in journalism offers an exciting, fast-paced work environment perfect for those who love storytelling and current events.
It’s no surprise, then, that this is a much sought-after job title among adventurers, writers, and truth-seekers. If you’re considering a career as a journalist, there are a few things you should know about getting started and setting yourself up for success.
What would you like to do as a journalist? From breaking news to national coverage, from investigative reporting to feature writing, from community journalism to politics, there are plenty of choices. Your career can focus on any aspect of the media industry: print, radio or television. But the basic skill set is always the same: writing well in a particular style and tone under tremendous pressure.
How to become a journalist
To become a journalist in the 21st century, you need to have an up-to-date technical knowledge and be able to communicate your ideas in an engaging manner. The world of journalism is fast paced, everchanging and there may be opportunities for multiple career paths within the field, so development of transferable skills will be a great asset
What Do Journalists Do?
When you think of journalists, images of Walter Cronkite, Barbara Walters, and Dan Rather probably come to mind—and for good reason, since these icons and their passion for their work are part of the reason why so many of us consider a career in this field.
But they’re also not the only faces of journalism. True, the most visible figures in this field are the ones we see every night on the evening news. But in today’s world especially, where more people get their news from websites, blogs, and social media than they do from CBS or BBC, the face of journalism is changing.
The term “journalist” can describe someone who writes for a print publication, like a traditional newspaper or magazine; a reporter who chases storms or attends presidential press conferences, before talking to a camera about their findings; or a freelancer who writes articles online for an emerging news site.
A journalist’s job is to tell a story and present the facts, so that audiences can form their own opinions and make their own decisions.
This work requires more than just looking pretty for a camera or slapping your byline on an article: journalists are responsible for the extensive research, writing, and fact checking that go in to their final output, in addition to cultivating relationships with their interview subjects and always looking out for the next story.
How to Become a Journalist
Below are 7 tips that will set you up for success as a future journalist.
1. Finetune your writing skills.
Of course, a degree can only take you so far. To become a successful journalist, you’ll need to hone those writing and reporting skills yourself.
One sure way to do this is by writing across a number of subject areas. You can practice by starting a blog to build your brand and establish your voice as a writer. Try writing blog posts about current events and things happening in your area, and find interesting subjects to interview.
2. Learn how to interview people.
As a journalist, you’ll also have to practice your critical thinking and questioning skills. Study interviews from some of the industry’s top reporters and take note of the strategies they use.
In the video below, Katie Couric explains how to conduct a good interview:
3. Network with reporters, writers, and editors.
A huge part of breaking into any industry is knowing the right people. Start networking early on with reporters, writers, editors, and other relevant figures in the business.
Reach out to reporters you admire and politely ask them if they have time to chat. If you’re given the opportunity to talk with them in person or on the phone, tell them about your experience and career goals, and ask them about their own experiences and for advice they can offer you.
(As much as you may like to cold-call David Muir, you may find it easier to reach out to someone from your local newspaper or broadcasting station if you’re just getting started.)
For more professional networking tips, be sure to check out our post on how to use LinkedIn to improve your career.
4. Try an internship.
Another great way to build connections is through internships. Interning for a newspaper, magazine, or media company provides invaluable experience, and you’ll get a firsthand look at the day-to-day tasks of a journalist.
With so many publications going digital, there are many opportunities today for budding reporters to get started by writing blog articles or conducting research, even from home.
You may not always get paid for your work, but the connections and lessons you’ll get from an internship can really make the difference for recent grads and anyone new to the industry.
5. Write for established publications.
In order to make a name for yourself, you’ll need to get your byline into some more prominent and established publications.
This isn’t always easy, but it’s certainly not impossible. It just takes some strategic thinking and persistence.
Consider your strengths and areas of interest or expertise. Then, research publications that align with those interests and that would be interested in your story ideas.
Find the appropriate contact information for those publications (usually the editor in charge of the section you’d be writing for), and shoot them an email pitching your story. Don’t be afraid to (politely) follow up a few times, but also recognize when it’s time to adjust your strategy and pitch different ideas.
6. Build a portfolio.
Start building a digital portfolio with articles you’ve written and interviews you’ve conducted.
You’ll use these to not only track your professional work, but also to show to prospective employers and other publications you’d like to write for.
