How To Become A Journalist

Journalism encompasses several careers which relate to the dissemination of information. Journalists work in different roles such as writers, news reporters, editors, and publishers. Graduates with degrees in journalism work in many different work settings: such as radio stations, television stations, newspapers, websites, magazines, and various other broadcasting companies.

Journalist Job Description
There are some major duties performed by the journalists:

• Research the assigned topics and stories
• Interview people who have information, opinions, or stories on a particular topic
• Write articles in newspapers, magazines, and websites, or write scripts for television
• Proofread articles to see if they are accurate and have the right style of writing
• Analyze and explain information to enhance the understanding of their audience
• Update stories as the new information comes through

How To Become A Journalist
Employers usually require a bachelor's degree in journalism or communications for a career as a journalist. Employers may hire graduates in some related degrees as well, such as political science or English. The bachelor's degree programs in journalism are based on journalistic ethics, how to research stories, and conduct interviews. Liberal arts courses are also a part of the journalism degree. The common liberal art courses in a journalism degree include English, history, political science, and economics. Exposure to a wide variety of courses is important in the field of journalism so that the journalists are able to cover stories on a wide range of topics. Employers have a preference for graduates who have worked on multiple internships and already have some practical exposure, when starting a career as a journalist. Journalism students usually work on school newspapers and intern with news organizations to gain professional exposure.

Skills And Personality Traits
There are number of essential skills and personality traits in order to be a successful journalist:

• Communication skills to be able to effectively report the news verbally and in writing.
• Objectivity to avoid bias and their opinions while reporting a story.
• People skills in order to maintain good relations with diverse number of people.
• Persistence in pursuit of the information needed for their story
• Stamina to endure the fast paced nature of work and long work hours

Online Education
Many schools now offer online education in journalism. This could be a viable option if you are working and cannot afford to leave your job. It is also an excellent opportunity for those who are looking to shift their career to journalism. Online education may be acquired by people in many different life situations. This is because of the many benefits offered by online education. With the distance learning programs or online education, you have a lot of flexibility. You could learn at your own pace and at the time which suits you best. It also saves the time, cost, and effort needed to attend an on-campus program. Many working professionals and stay at home parents could choose this option because it allows for them to stay on top of their responsibilities while earning a journalism degree.