Interest in journalism careers is on the rise and the competition for journalism job opportunities can be great. However, this doesn't scare many people off and there are many people trying to break into the world of journalism at any given time.
Journalism jobs are a great way to combine your talent for writing and interest in current events. You can opt for either in-house or freelance positions, depending on your preference.
In order to get a career in journalism off to a great start:
1. Study journalism or communications in college. While a college degree isn't always required for news and media careers, it does provide a solid knowledge base from which to start. Most large news companies will favor candidates that have a college degree.
2. Network often in order to learn about jobs in journalism. Many opportunities do not make it to the newspapers or online job boards. People hear about it through their colleagues.
3. Join professional organizations to lend credibility to your resume, keep you up to date on current trends and help with introducing you to other professionals. This is a sure way to get more journalism jobs.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Start your journalism career with an internship to learn the ropes
Nobody can deny that experience can help you get that first journalism job. Taking on an internship shows your dedication to the industry as well as teaching you the basics of the job and introducing you to people who can advance your career.
I recommend: You can find internships throughout the year at
JournalismJobs.com. Alternatively, you can search internships in your area at
InternshipPrograms.com.
Find your next journalism job
The Internet can be a great way to search for available job positions. You can conveniently search for jobs in any location. You may even be able to upload your resume to make applying for jobs easier.
I recommend: The
UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism provides an excellent resource for jobs in the journalism industry. The
National Diversity Newspaper Job Bank also lists positions that you can see after registration.
Consider freelance journalism job opportunities instead of full-time journalism employment
There's no reason why you should have to stay tied down to just one company. Many journalists take on freelance work from a variety of news and magazine sources. While it may be difficult to start a freelance journalism career, it's often more lucrative in the long run.
I recommend: Showcase your work at
mediabistro.com, a website that's popular among media and journalism professionals. You can also post an advertisement for your services on your local
Craigslist.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- You will need a solid portfolio to show potential employers in order to get employment in journalism. This should demonstrate your best writing work and have examples of clips from previous publications that featured your work.
The official source of Journalism Jobs is the Journalism Jobs page at Business.com
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