Careers for a Journalism Major: Information for Graduates
Despite the fact that the rise of the Internet has diminished print newspapers to some degree, many career options in print and electronic media are still available to journalism majors. Job options include staff writer, editor, anchor, producer and public relations specialist, to name a few. There is still a need for journalists to cover stories for newspapers as well as for the Internet, radio and television. Several careers suited to journalism majors are outlined below.
Broadcast Journalism Career
Budding journalists interested in radio and television may find satisfaction working in broadcasting. Journalism graduates may become hired in entry-level positions at TV and radio stations as assistant producers, reporters, news writers, correspondents or anchors. Other options include jobs as weathercasters, sportscasters, assistant news directors and video editors; a graduate can sometimes also get a foot in the door through the sales and marketing departments.
Outlook for Broadcast Journalism Careers
Graduates who have completed internships during or after college often have an advantage over other journalism majors when it comes to landing a job in broadcast journalism. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov) reports that employment opportunities in broadcasting were expected to grow slowly, with an overall seven percent increase projected between 2008-2018; radio broadcasting jobs were expected to decline.
Newspaper Journalism Career
Journalism graduates are often hired by newspapers as reporters or staff writers. These jobs involve researching and interviewing people and writing stories on a deadline. Hours may extend beyond the normal workday, since reporters need to be in the right place at the right time. Typically, these writers are assigned to projects by an editor, though they may also propose story ideas of their own.
Outlook for Newspaper Careers
With the advent of the Internet, print newspapers are in decline. However, restructuring of the media world is allowing some writers formerly on staff at large newspapers to switch to freelancing or to write for online journals. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that writing jobs overall, including newspaper jobs, were expected to grow at a rate of approximately eight percent from 2008-2018, which is about the same rate of growth as for all occupations.
Editor Career
Editors are employed by daily and weekly newspapers, magazines, journals, book publishers and in-house publications put out by businesses. Editors assign and review story ideas and edit the work of other writers. In book publishing, editors work with authors, helping them to adhere to the original idea of the project.
Outlook for Editor Careers
Individuals typically work as writers for a while before becoming editors. Writers who are well-suited to working with people are likely to succeed in this position. Most editors are employed by newspapers, publishing companies or other businesses, rather than working freelance. While many editors work in the publishing industry, a significant number work for governmental, corporate and educational organizations. In 2009, editors made an average of $58,440 yearly, as reported by the BLS.
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
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Online and Classroom-Based Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Bachelor
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 21 years of age or older and have completed some college or 24 years of age or older and a high school graduate for a Bachelor's degree
- Masters degree applicants must have a Bachelors degree
- Doctorate degree applicants must have a Masters degree
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Bachelor
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
- Florida (1 campus)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Applicants must have some prior college credit.
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Bachelor
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- BS - Communication
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Other Schools:
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School locations:
- Iowa (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Iowa State University include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Communications and Journalism
- Communication Studies
- Comparative Language Studies and Services
- English Composition
- English Language and Literature
- Foreign Language and Literature
- Journalism
- Public Relations and Advertising
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School locations:
- Texas (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Texas Tech University include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Communications and Journalism
- Communication Studies
- Comparative Language Studies and Services
- Digital, Radio, and Television Communication
- English Composition
- English Language and Literature
- Foreign Language and Literature
- Journalism
- Photojournalism
- Public Relations and Advertising
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School locations:
- Michigan (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Grand Valley State University include:
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- Graduate: Master
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Communications and Journalism
- Communication Studies
- Digital, Radio, and Television Communication
- English Composition
- English Language and Literature
- Foreign Language and Literature
- Journalism
- Public Relations and Advertising
