Career ProfilesJournalism
JournalismIntroduction Journalism is a challenging and interesting career offering variety and diversity in work tasks and roles. In addition to a broad general knowledge and a thorough knowledge of current affairs, a successful journalist also requires excellent writing ability, keyboard skills, and personal qualities such as determination and emotional resilience. Although journalism is open to non-graduates, large media organisations have expressed a preference for graduates in recent years. A degree in journalism, writing or communications is useful but not essential. Employers are also interested in graduates from many other disciplines. Competition for entry level positions is very strong. Evidence of writing ability and a demonstrated interest in the career is highly valued in the selection process. Media organisations and media products are changing rapidly which is leading to an increased variety of roles for experienced journalists in areas such as public relations and marketing, and providing online news services and information for the Internet. There are also opportunities in freelance writing and editing or working for in-house and specialist publications. What Can You Expect? Journalism is an exciting and challenging career, and is sometimes seen as a little glamorous. While it can be glamorous or prestigious, in reality it is hard work, learning on the run, handling the pressure of deadlines and not knowing what your working day will be like from one day to the next. Many journalists work long and irregular hours, with evening and late night work common. An assignment cannot be dropped just because a shift has finished; a journalist must see it through to the end. Often they are called back to work to cover an unexpected development, and they are frequently required to work when other people are not-at night, on weekends, on public holidays. The unusual work hours can make social life difficult. Besides the open-ended work hours, there are also pressures to meet tight deadlines and to ensure the facts presented are accurate. Want to read more about careers in journalism? Download a complete copy of Careers in Journalism below. New revised edition coming soon! |
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