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What Are the Different Types of Journalism Career Opportunities?

Tara Barnett
Tara Barnett

Journalism career opportunities can vary between fields and job types as well as degree of seniority. There are journalism positions in nearly every field, from science to travel, and jobs within these broad areas may even focus specifically on a very small topic, such as chemistry news or Chinese travel. In terms of types of work, there are editors, writers, and many other jobs that require an understanding of journalism. It is possible to find journalism career opportunities in several different broad areas, including television, print, and online journalism. The type of employment engagement a person achieves can also make a major difference in the type of work he or she performs.

Many different types of jobs could broadly be considered journalism careers. Online freelance writers and television news anchors are both roughly involved in journalism. The ways in which a person uses his or her skills as a journalist may differ between these professions, but each of these opportunities involves focusing on presenting facts and information to an audience. Definitions of journalism are different between communities, but the presentation of non-fiction information to an audience is always involved.

Some journalists break into the business through freelance writing.
Some journalists break into the business through freelance writing.

Common journalism career opportunities include jobs for reporters, writers, and editors. These professionals often fill more than one role depending on the size of the publication. Photojournalism is also a potential career for a journalist, although this type of work requires a different kind of skill than text-based journalism positions. As an independent journalist, a person may also come up with other ways of presenting news items to an audience, such as through social media, video, or interactive materials.

Photojournalists work to bring images to their audiences.
Photojournalists work to bring images to their audiences.

For many people, journalism career opportunities must be carved out piece by piece as a freelancer. This means that each job is obtained individually, and the journalist is responsible for finding additional work. Many people hope to move into a staff-writing position as a journalist, as this type of work is more secure and consistent.

Young journalists often find career opportunities in the form of internships. This type of employment can provide exposure to a particular area of journalism, such as foreign or political reporting, that would be difficult to break into without experience. Having a degree in journalism can make it easier to get into these internships, but this is not strictly necessary to getting into this profession.

Local newspapers can provide a start for writers looking to break into journalism.
Local newspapers can provide a start for writers looking to break into journalism.

In addition to working as a journalist, there are also many academic journalism career opportunities. Teaching journalism to others often requires some experience as a journalist, but once the position is obtained, it can provide secure and steady employment. Many people who teach journalism also teach other forms of writing and often find time to work on a freelance basis as well.

Discussion Comments

Terrificli

@Soulfox -- the problem with making the jump into public relations, though, has to do with journalistic ethics. Reporters generally believe strongly that members of the public has a right to know virtually everything that might effect them. Public relations type, however, learn a lot of sensitive information about the organizations with which they work and are directed to only release certain things to the public.

Here's the dilemma -- what information should be issued to the public and what should not? A public relations professional who used to be a reporter might have trouble making that distinction.

Soulfox

Don't forget about public relations. A lot of news reporters wind up in public relations and that is a logical career choice. After all, who better to tell an organization's story to the media than someone who was once part of the media?

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    • Some journalists break into the business through freelance writing.
      By: natalya kazakova
      Some journalists break into the business through freelance writing.
    • Photojournalists work to bring images to their audiences.
      By: Rafael Ben-Ari
      Photojournalists work to bring images to their audiences.
    • Local newspapers can provide a start for writers looking to break into journalism.
      By: gena96
      Local newspapers can provide a start for writers looking to break into journalism.
    • Some journalists might get started by writing a blog about local events.
      By: nyul
      Some journalists might get started by writing a blog about local events.
    • Journalists may work for local radio stations.
      By: imkenneth
      Journalists may work for local radio stations.
    • Field reporter for TV news is one career those interested in journalism may pursue.
      By: Haider Y. Abdulla
      Field reporter for TV news is one career those interested in journalism may pursue.