careernav.

General Description

This is an ideal career for a creative thinker. Journalists write and edit news reports, commentaries and feature articles for newspapers, magazines and radio or television stations. As a journalist you tend to specialise in either broadcast journalism on television and radio, or print journalism for newspapers and magazines, though many journalists have done both.

As a print journalist, you gather newsworthy stories through research, by attending events and interviewing people. You then write and edit articles and present the information as a columnist, lead story or in general news. Your personal opinion can be included but usually you report the facts.

What you do every day

Journalists must research, validate and report on events, statistics and trends. You are always working to deadlines without letting the time constraint affect the quality of your reporting. You uncover facts and develop a story for viewers or readers and although you may be tempted to include personal opinions, they should generally be put to one side. Reporting news may take you outside your comfort zone regularly. You also have other constraints to consider such as word count limits and deadlines.

You will have a range of daily tasks including interviewing people and researching information, building contacts to supply you with a constant stream of news information, investigating stories, attending press conferences and posing questions, not to mention attending a variety of events such as council meetings, and court proceedings. You may also answer phones on the news desk, and respond to breaking news stories.

As a print journalist, you will work closely with other media professionals, recording interviews and meetings, and producing accurate copy having regard to the print’s house style.

Personality that best fits this occupation

Communication is crucial, you must write and speak well and know how to ask the right questions. The quality of the questions asked is important, as is your general knowledge and interest in current events. Your interpersonal skills need to be sharp, you need to be courageous, a creative thinker, and brave to tackle topics outside your comfort zone and report the facts in an objective manner. The ability to take shorthand notes helps enormously, and touch typing is a real advantage. You also need to be inquisitive, have a nose for a story and be resilient as not all stories are handed to you.

Best things about this career

The best part of print journalism is reporting pertinent information to the public and knowing that it has helped someone. Often you are the voice for your community which means your job is to accurately inform the public. You also speak to people you don’t know, meet a huge cross-section of interesting people even people in power such as corporate leaders, politicians and prominent community leaders.

Worst things about this career

The drudgery of interviewing and doing research can take a toll. People, organizations and institutions may be unco-operative or slow to deliver information because they don’t feel or understand the pressures of your job. Not to mention deadlines, deadlines...