How to become a journalist

CareerExplorer’s step-by-step guide on how to become a journalist.

Is becoming a journalist right for me?

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High School

English Composition and Literature: Strong writing skills are essential for journalists. Courses in English composition and literature help students develop their writing abilities, including grammar, syntax, vocabulary, and style. They also expose students to different literary genres, storytelling techniques, and rhetorical strategies that are relevant to journalism.
Journalism or Media Studies: Many high schools offer courses in journalism or media studies that introduce students to the principles and practices of journalism. These courses cover topics such as news writing, reporting, interviewing, editing, ethics, media law, and the role of journalism in society. Students may also gain hands-on experience by producing their own school newspaper, website, or broadcast program.
Critical Thinking and Research Skills: Courses that emphasize critical thinking, research, and analysis are valuable for aspiring journalists. These courses teach students how to evaluate information critically, conduct research effectively, distinguish between fact and opinion, and synthesize complex ideas. Courses in subjects such as history, social studies, or philosophy can help develop these skills.
Digital Media and Technology: In today's digital age, journalists need to be proficient in digital media tools and technologies. Courses in digital media, computer science, or multimedia production can provide students with skills in digital storytelling, photo and video editing, website design, social media management, and data visualization.
Public Speaking and Communication: Effective communication skills are important for journalists, whether they're conducting interviews, giving presentations, or delivering news reports. Courses in public speaking, debate, or communication studies can help students develop confidence, clarity, and persuasiveness in their oral communication skills.
Social Studies and Current Events: Courses in social studies, civics, government, or current events provide students with a deeper understanding of the political, social, and cultural issues that shape the news. These courses help students develop knowledge of current events, critical thinking skills, and awareness of diverse perspectives.
Extracurricular Activities: In addition to coursework, aspiring journalists can gain practical experience and skills through extracurricular activities such as participating in the school newspaper, yearbook, or literary magazine; joining a debate or speech club; volunteering for community organizations; or interning at local media outlets.

Educational Pathways

Bachelor's Degree in Journalism or Communication: Many aspiring journalists pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism, Communications, or a related field. These programs typically provide a comprehensive education in journalism principles, practices, and ethics, covering topics such as news writing, reporting, editing, media law, and multimedia storytelling. Students may also have the opportunity to gain practical experience through internships, student media outlets, or capstone projects.
Bachelor's Degree in a Relevant Field with Journalism Courses: Some students choose to major in a related field such as English, political science, history, or sociology and supplement their studies with journalism courses or extracurricular involvement in student media. This approach allows students to develop a strong foundation in their chosen subject area while gaining journalism skills and experience.
Master's Degree in Journalism or Mass Communication: For students who want to further specialize or advance their careers in journalism, a Master's Degree in Journalism or Mass Communication can provide advanced training and opportunities for specialization. Master's programs may offer concentrations in areas such as investigative journalism, data journalism, multimedia storytelling, or broadcast journalism. These programs often include coursework, internships, and capstone projects that allow students to gain practical experience and build a professional portfolio.
Professional Certificates or Continuing Education Programs: Some journalists may pursue professional certificates or continuing education programs to enhance their skills, knowledge, and credentials in specific areas of journalism. These programs may focus on topics such as digital media, multimedia production, data journalism, investigative reporting, or specialized reporting beats. They may be offered by universities, journalism schools, professional associations, or online learning platforms.
Internships and On-the-Job Training: Hands-on experience through internships, freelance work, or entry-level positions is invaluable for aspiring journalists. Internships provide opportunities to work in newsrooms, media organizations, or other relevant settings, gaining practical experience, building professional connections, and applying classroom learning in real-world settings. Many journalism programs incorporate internships or cooperative education experiences as part of their curriculum.

Internships

News Organizations: Many newspapers, magazines, television stations, radio stations, and online news outlets offer internships for aspiring journalists. These internships may involve reporting, writing, editing, researching, fact-checking, or producing news stories and content for print, broadcast, or digital platforms. Interns may work in various departments such as news, features, sports, business, or investigative journalism.
Broadcast Journalism: Internships in broadcast journalism provide hands-on experience in television and radio news production. Interns may work as reporters, producers, anchors, or behind-the-scenes staff, assisting with research, scriptwriting, video editing, studio production, or live reporting. Broadcast journalism internships may be available at local or national television stations, radio stations, or multimedia production companies.
Digital Media and Online Journalism: With the rise of digital media and online news platforms, internships in digital journalism offer opportunities to work in web-based newsrooms, digital-first publications, or multimedia production studios. Interns may assist with website management, social media management, content creation, audience engagement, data journalism, or multimedia storytelling. Digital media internships may be available at news websites, online magazines, digital startups, or social media companies.
Magazine and Print Journalism: Internships in magazine and print journalism provide experience in print publication production, editorial content development, and magazine journalism. Interns may work as editorial assistants, research assistants, fact-checkers, or contributing writers, assisting with story development, article research, interviewing, writing, and editing. Magazine journalism internships may be available at print magazines, online magazines, or publishing companies.
Investigative Journalism: Internships in investigative journalism offer opportunities to work on in-depth reporting projects, investigative features, or documentary-style stories. Interns may assist with research, data analysis, interviews, fact-checking, and writing under the guidance of experienced investigative journalists. Investigative journalism internships may be available at investigative news organizations, nonprofit newsrooms, or media outlets with investigative reporting teams.
Nonprofit and Public Interest Journalism: Internships in nonprofit and public interest journalism focus on reporting stories that serve the public good and address social, political, or environmental issues. Interns may work with nonprofit news organizations, public radio stations, or advocacy journalism projects, covering topics such as social justice, environmental sustainability, or community development.

Employment Opportunities

Newspapers: Despite the challenges facing the newspaper industry, there are still employment opportunities for journalists in newspapers, both in print and digital formats. Newspapers employ reporters, editors, photographers, videographers, and multimedia journalists to cover local, national, and international news, as well as to produce feature stories, opinion pieces, and investigative reports.
Magazines: Magazines, both print and digital, offer employment opportunities for journalists in a wide range of specialties and niches. Magazine journalists may work as writers, editors, photographers, designers, or content creators, covering topics such as lifestyle, fashion, health, science, technology, culture, politics, or current events.
Broadcast Media: Television and radio stations provide employment opportunities for journalists in broadcast news production. Broadcast journalists may work as reporters, anchors, producers, correspondents, or newsroom editors, covering breaking news, conducting interviews, and producing news segments for broadcast on television or radio.
Digital Media and Online News Outlets: With the rise of digital media and online news consumption, employment opportunities for journalists in digital media outlets have expanded. Digital journalists may work for online news websites, digital-first publications, multimedia production studios, or social media platforms, producing news stories, videos, podcasts, or interactive content for online audiences.
Wire Services: Wire services such as The Associated Press (AP), Reuters, Bloomberg, and Agence France-Presse (AFP) provide employment opportunities for journalists in news wire reporting and distribution. Wire service journalists work as reporters, correspondents, or editors, covering breaking news, events, and developments around the world and distributing news stories to media outlets globally.
Freelance Journalism: Many journalists work as freelancers, contracting with media outlets on a per-project or assignment basis. Freelance journalists may write articles, produce content, or provide services such as photography, video production, or editing for newspapers, magazines, online publications, or broadcast media. Freelancing offers flexibility and autonomy but may also require hustling for assignments and managing multiple clients.
Specialized Journalism: Journalists may specialize in specific areas of coverage or expertise, such as investigative journalism, data journalism, sports journalism, science journalism, business journalism, environmental journalism, or political journalism. Specialized journalists may work for media outlets that focus on particular topics or beats, providing in-depth coverage and analysis in their area of expertise.
Nonprofit and Public Interest Journalism: Nonprofit news organizations, public media outlets, and advocacy journalism projects provide employment opportunities for journalists interested in reporting on social, political, or environmental issues. Nonprofit journalists may work as reporters, editors, or producers, covering topics such as social justice, environmental sustainability, or community development with a focus on public service and impact-driven journalism.

Certifications

The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ): SPJ offers a variety of training programs, workshops, and resources for journalists, including the SPJ Ethics Certification Program. This program provides journalists with the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of ethical principles and best practices in journalism through an online exam.
The Poynter Institute: The Poynter Institute offers journalism training programs, workshops, and seminars for journalists at all levels of experience. Poynter's News University provides online courses and certificates in topics such as reporting, writing, editing, fact-checking, multimedia storytelling, and journalism ethics.
The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ): NABJ offers training programs, workshops, and professional development opportunities for journalists of color. NABJ's Media Institute provides training certificates in areas such as broadcast journalism, digital media, and leadership development.
The Online News Association (ONA): ONA offers digital journalism training programs, webinars, and workshops for journalists working in online media. ONA's Online Journalism Awards program recognizes excellence in digital journalism and provides opportunities for professional development and networking.
Coursera and Udemy: Online learning platforms such as Coursera and Udemy offer journalism courses and certificates taught by industry experts and leading institutions. These courses cover a wide range of topics, including journalism fundamentals, investigative reporting, data journalism, multimedia storytelling, and digital media skills.
Graduate Programs in Journalism: Some graduate programs in journalism offer certificates or concentrations in specialized areas of journalism, such as investigative reporting, data journalism, or multimedia storytelling. Graduates of these programs may receive certificates in addition to their master's degrees, demonstrating their expertise in a specific area of journalism.

Associations

The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ): SPJ is one of the largest and oldest journalism organizations in the US. It offers training programs, resources, advocacy, and networking opportunities for journalists. SPJ promotes ethical journalism, freedom of the press, and the protection of journalists' rights.
The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ): NABJ is an organization dedicated to supporting and advocating for journalists of color. It provides networking opportunities, career development programs, scholarships, and advocacy initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion in the news media industry.
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ): NAHJ is a leading organization for Hispanic journalists in the US. It offers professional development programs, scholarships, networking events, and advocacy initiatives to support Hispanic journalists and improve coverage of Hispanic communities in the media.
The Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA): AAJA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing diversity in newsrooms and promoting accurate and fair coverage of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. It offers training programs, scholarships, mentorship opportunities, and networking events for journalists.
The Native American Journalists Association (NAJA): NAJA is an organization that supports and empowers Native American journalists and promotes accurate and responsible coverage of Native American issues and communities. It offers training programs, scholarships, fellowships, and networking opportunities for journalists.
The Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE): IRE is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting investigative journalism and providing training, resources, and networking opportunities for investigative reporters. It offers conferences, workshops, online training, and investigative reporting tools and resources.
The Online News Association (ONA): ONA is a nonprofit organization that supports digital journalists and promotes innovation in online journalism. It offers training programs, webinars, conferences, and networking events for journalists working in digital media.

Online Resources

Journalism Organizations and Associations Websites: Many journalism organizations and associations offer online resources, including training materials, toolkits, research reports, and industry news. Examples include the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE), Online News Association (ONA), and National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ).
News Websites and Aggregators: News websites and aggregators provide journalists with access to breaking news, analysis, and reporting on a wide range of topics. Popular news websites include The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, NPR, BBC, Reuters, and Associated Press. Aggregators such as Google News and Flipboard curate news from multiple sources and topics.
Journalism Tools and Resources Websites: Websites such as Poynter, NiemanLab, and Journalism.co.uk offer journalism tools, resources, and guides on topics such as writing, reporting, editing, fact-checking, multimedia storytelling, data journalism, and audience engagement.
Media Outlets' Websites: Many media outlets provide online resources for journalists, including style guides, editorial policies, ethics guidelines, and contact information for reporters and editors. Examples include The Associated Press (AP), The New York Times, The Guardian, and BBC News.
Journalism Training Platforms: Online learning platforms offer journalism courses, webinars, workshops, and tutorials on a variety of topics. Examples include Coursera, Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, Skillshare, and News University by the Poynter Institute.
Journalism Research and Fact-Checking Websites: Websites such as FactCheck.org, Snopes, PolitiFact, and Media Bias/Fact Check provide journalists with fact-checking resources, research reports, and tools to verify information and combat misinformation.
Journalism Jobs and Freelance Opportunities Websites: Job boards and websites such as JournalismJobs.com, MediaBistro, Indeed, and ProPublica's Job Board list journalism job openings, freelance opportunities, internships, and fellowships.
Social Media Platforms: Social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram serve as valuable resources for journalists to connect with sources, share news updates, crowdsource information, and engage with their audience.