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Are you the type of person who stays up to date on the latest news? Are you the type of person who enjoys being on the screen, filming, and editing? If writing, editing and reporting interest you, and you want to have the opportunity to interview many famous celebrities, you should consider a career as a journalist.

Read the blog to learn about how to become a journalist, different job opportunities, skills, and much more.

What does a Journalist do?

Typical responsibilities of a Journalist include:

Journalists write and compile news stories that will be of interest to their audience. They keep their audience up to date on events in their world by bringing together various sources and ensuring that all of the arguments are represented.

  • examining press releases
  • articles for research
  • making and maintaining contacts
  • source interviews
  • copywriting, editing, and submission
  • taking part in events
  • proofreading
  • verifying claims and facts
  • keeping up with privacy, contempt, and defamation laws
  • communicating with editors, sub-editors, designers, and photographers

Job Roles in Journalism

There are many different types of journalism, but here are a few opportunities listed for those interested in the field:

  • Freelance writer
  • Print journalist
  • Broadcast journalist
  • Photojournalist
  • News Copy Editor
  • New Producer
  • Communications Coordinator
  • Reporter
  • Editorial Assistant
  • Digital Content Writer
  • Proofreader
  • Cartoonist

Career Path for becoming a Journalist

  • Path 1: You can finish your 12th grade in any stream. You can continue your undergraduate studies in mass communication while also pursuing your master’s degree.
  • Path 2: After completing your 12th grade from any stream, though arts is preferred, you can apply for a bachelor’s degree in journalism, followed by a master’s degree in the same field.
  • Path 3: You can also pursue undergraduate courses such as BA(Political Science) or BA(mass media) and then pursue a master’s degree in the same field.
  • Path 4: A postgraduate diploma in journalism is also an option. After that, you can pursue a certificate in copywriting.

Read this in-depth blog about how to become a journalist.

Journalist salaries at various career stages

  • Entry-level salaries: range from INR 1.5 lakh per annum to INR 2.5 lakh per annum for recent college graduates.
  • Early Career: With 1 to 4 years of experience, a journalist can earn up to INR 3.5 lakh per year.
  • Mid Career: Journalists earn an average of INR 5 lakh per year in this mid-career with up to 9 years of experience.
  • Late Career: Journalists with less than 20 years of experience can earn INR 4.8 lakh per year.
  • Experienced journalists: can earn INR 25 lakh per year at the peak of their careers.

Skills required to become a Journalist

  1. Journalism expertise

Understanding the fundamentals of a subject is critical for success in any field, including journalism. Before entering the field as a professional, a solid journalism education can go a long way toward ensuring that you understand the realms of journalism and broadcast media. 

  1. Communication

As previously stated, an effective communicator allows a journalist to connect with their audience and effectively make their point. The spoken word is extremely important in journalism jobs such as anchor, reporter, and voiceover artist. 

  1. Grasping capability

It is critical for a journalist to be able to learn on the job, absorb a large amount of new information, and process it in such a way that it is properly disseminated. Broadcast journalists are expected to quickly learn new subjects and reproduce the information for the audience to consume.

  1. Attention to detail and research

Journalism is all about thorough research and meticulous attention to detail. News reports are expected to be credible, which can only be achieved through extensive research. As a result, broadcast journalists are expected to pay close attention to detail and only provide authentic news to their audiences.

  1. Objectivity and logical reasoning 

Being objective in how you present information can make or break it, whether it’s politics, sports, crime, or world events. Data and statistical skills can also help with information dissemination in an understandable manner.

  1. Problem-solving abilities

A great broadcast journalist can deal with problems or challenges on the job, in the field, or during a live show or panel discussion. It is critical that you develop the ability to think quickly on your feet and solve any problems that may arise at work.

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Is becoming a journalist a good career option?

  • There is a news story about a discovery, politics, science, sports, education, or technology every hour, and without journalists, the public would never be informed of these tales. As communication mediums changed over time—moving from radio, television, and newspapers to social media and online news outlets—so did the breadth of journalism
  • Together with the expansion of communication channels, the number of audiences has increased significantly. For many youngsters in India, journalism is becoming a prestigious career option.
  •  The difficult field of journalism is crucial to the progress of the nation. The disciplines of finance, education, law, technology, politics, and sports are among the specializations of today’s journalists.

Types of Industries hiring a Journalist

  • Content Marketer

A journalism career will undoubtedly center on writing, and all industries need talented writers for a range of venues. Content marketers create videos, articles, and photos within the constraints of an editorial calendar to increase brand awareness, upsell products, engage in conversations about brand-related issues, and promote a feeling of community among customers and the business.

  • Copywriter

Every time you see an advertisement, a copywriter developed the message that is being presented. If you have a natural knack for persuasion, are incredibly creative, and can convey a lot of information with little words, this job should be of interest to you.

  • Specialist in corporate communications

Major firms must communicate company-specific information to the media and its numerous employees. This covers a wide range of topics, such as details about forthcoming events, internal news items, and benefits information. All of this news is produced and disseminated by a corporate communications specialist, who is also frequently in charge of updating the intranet of the business.

  • Editor

Editors supervise each step of the publishing process and collaborate with writers to develop and edit content before publication, making them a conventional but ever-changing job option in journalism. Basically anywhere there is a story, there is an editor. They work in periodicals, newspapers, and online media sources.

  •  Grant writer

Grant writers utilize their persuasive skills to highlight the significance of a nonprofit organization’s concerns in written proposals in order to secure the funding required to support them.

  • Public Relations Specialist

Public relations professionals draught press releases to help shape public perception and raise brand recognition for the organizations they represent. They also work to preserve a positive public image for such organizations. Your expertise in journalism makes you a strong prospect for a position in public relations, as these professionals frequently work with journalists to effectively convey their organizations’ messages.

  • Social Media Specialist

Working for a company or organization, a social media specialist interacts with the public on social media sites to promote their brand or organization. In order to increase their company’s capacity to be shared on social media, they also analyze data and data analytics.

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Top recruiters for Journalists 

  • Thomson Reuters
  • BBC
  • The Times of India
  • Times Internet
  • Hindustan Times
  • HT Media
  • The New Indian Express
  • ABC

Courses to Upskill as a Journalist

You can consider doing a course in mentioned list below to enhance your skillset as a Journalist

  • Reporting and Editing for Print Media
  • Introduction to Integrated Marketing Communications
  • Communication Theories
  • Elements of Photography
  • Cultural Education
  • Film Studies
  • Basic Animation and Web Designing
  • Broadcast Journalism

Qualifications to become a Journalist

As was already mentioned, there are several ways to become a journalist. This section will discuss the many degrees that are available to become a journalist in India and abroad.

Degrees in India

After passing the entrance exam, you can continue your education by enrolling in a number of courses in journalism, mass media, and communication to earn your bachelor’s degree before continuing on to a master’s program in the same field.

After the 12th grade, many universities provide their own entrance exams for journalism programs. Examples include IPU CET, IIMC Entrance Exam, and others. To sit for the exam, you must have completed your 12th grade in any subject—including business, the arts, and science—from an accredited board.

  1. Undergraduate courses for Journalism in India:
COURSEDURATION
Bachelor in Journalism and Mass Communication3 Years
Bachelor of Journalism3 Years
BA in Mass Media3-4 Years
BA in Journalism3 Years
BA in Convergent Journalism3 Years
Bachelors in Sports Journalism3 Years
BA Journalism & Communication3 Years

(ii) Postgraduate Courses for Journalism in India

COURSEDURATION
MA in Communication and Journalism2 year
Master’s Degree in Multimedia2 year
MSc in Film Production and Television 2 year
MA in an advertisement, entertainment, and media2 year
PG Diploma in broadcast journalism1 year
PG Diploma in journalism1-year

Degrees Abroad

The bachelor of journalism and mass communication is one of the most sought-after degrees for study abroad. Depending on the college and whether you plan to complete a master’s degree in addition, the length of the bachelor’s degree program abroad might range from three to four years.

You must submit a statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and test results demonstrating your English language proficiency in order to study abroad. These examinations include the IELTS, TOEFL, and others.

If you want to be admitted to a university abroad, prepare for IELTS and TOEFL, and need assistance with SAT preparation? We have some details for you- Check out our SAT blog.

References for students interested in Journalism

Books

  • Unfreedom of the Press
  • America Pravda
  • Fifty years of 60 minutes
  • Conspiracy
  • Reporting Elections

Famous Personalities

  • Fredricka Whitfield
  • Lester Holt
  • Louis Theroux
  • Ravish Kumar
  • Rajat Sharma
  • Sweta Singh
  • Gauri Lankesh

Therefore, this is the profession you should totally pursue if you have a deep interest in research and want to always be in front of the TV on the most important occasions.

We sincerely hope this blog was very insightful for you.

Keep coming back for more such blogs!

FAQs about the career as a Journalist

Is journalism a good career?

The number of viewers has grown significantly along with the number of communication outlets. Today, many students in India choose journalism as a prominent job. The challenging sector of journalism is essential to the growth of the country.

What are the 7 types of journalism?

Investigative Journalism
Political Journalism
Business Journalism
Arts Journalism
Education Journalism
Sports Journalism  

What to study if you want to be a journalist?

Although an academic background is not required to work in journalism, employers generally prefer people with a diploma or bachelor’s degree in journalism or communications. These courses require a National Senior Certificate that meets the requirements for a diploma or degree course.

What subjects are needed to be a journalist?

There are of course some A-levels that will be helpful – including English literature, creative writing, media studies, politics, languages, economics, and history.

What’s the difference between a reporter and a journalist?

reporters. Producers or research teams, rather than reporters, are responsible for fact-checking in some forms of media, such as radio or television. Reporters have a distinct role in the news industry.

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How to become a Journalist? 6 Skills required to become a Journalist Top 10 colleges to become a Journalist in India Top 10 colleges to become a Journalist Abroad
How to become a Journalist? 6 Skills required to become a Journalist Top 10 colleges to become a Journalist in India Top 10 colleges to become a Journalist Abroad