About Journalism

Journalism is concerned with the production and dissemination of news. News is disseminated through a variety of outlets including print, radio, television and the internet. In the initial years of study, students are familiarised with the basic practices of Journalism, leaving specialisation courses for final years. Journalism permeates our day-to-day lives. We constantly rely on journalism outlets to feed us news throughout the day: in the morning on the radio, in the evenings in front of the television and in the night on our mobile phones. Journalism keeps us up-to-date on current affairs, making us more informed citizens. Some modules you can expect to study are storytelling in the Digital World, Report Writing, Documentary Journalism, Digital Production, Media and Society, Media Law and Media Ethics. Journalism graduates are in high demand as media organisations are expanding operations worldwide. In fact, 94% of all Journalism graduates find employment or enrol for further education within six months of graduation.

　　

Is Journalism right for me?

To succeed in Journalism you must have good communication skills and a genuine passion for the field. Being able to articulate clearly in writing, speech and digitally is of foremost importance for a journalist. The technical skills you’ll need to master will vary upon what branch of Journalism you are aiming towards. However, familiarity with multimedia tools is necessary for all positions as the newsroom has become increasingly technologically sophisticated. Another key trait required to thrive in the field is persistence. Reporters and journalists must be relentless when pursuing a story. Investigating incidents and gathering facts can be testing, as subjects may not be comfortable commenting or being interviewed. Journalists typically work regular office hours but may have to work overtime close to big stories or articles. Another thing to consider is that Journalists must be comfortable reaching out to a large number of people on regular basis for their comments on pertinent news pieces. Due to the nature of their work, they may even need to work on nights and weekends to follow events and stories.

　　

Journalism study options and cost

　　Since Journalism requires a high degree of competence in writing; therefore, some form of post-secondary education is necessary while a bachelor’s degree is ideal. In fact, 82% of journalists have a bachelor’s degree while only 5% have an associate degree. An associate degree in Journalism provides you with a broad introduction to the field and are appealing due to their affordability. They are typically 2 years in duration and can lead you to entry-level jobs. A bachelor’s in Journalism provides you with a strong base for pursuing a career in Journalism as you’ll be taught all the main journalistic practices and approaches. The benefit of a bachelor’s degree is that it allows you to specialise in a particular branch of the media as you progress through your degree. A bachelor’s degree in journalism is typically 3-4 years in duration and on average costs $24,659 per year in the US. For those individuals who are interested in research or teaching roles in the field of Journalism a master’s degree is an excellent idea. Professionals who are seeking to further hone their expertise in a particular disciple of Journalism like science communication or war journalism may also benefit from a master’s degree. A master’s degree is typically 2 years in duration and on average costs between £17,000 to £24,500 in the UK.

　　

Future outlook

As more technology is being incorporated into the field, tech-savvy journalists will thrive the most in the new media landscape. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment opportunities for journalists is expected to grow 6% this decade. This amounts to 5,400 job openings every year!

　　

Career pathways for Journalism graduates

　　

Reporter

　　They are the people gathering information in the field by conducting interviews, reaching out to sources and preparing a coherent written report. Reporters also may record themselves in the field to be featured during news shows. Some reporters report exclusively on certain topics such as fashion, politics or sports.

Editor

　　An editor is responsible for deciding what will go in a newspaper or news bulletin. They ensure that the quality of all content is maintained, and the editorial policy of the organisation is adhered to. Editors seldom gather information themselves but rather focus on how news can be best tailored for the target audience.

News Anchor

　　A news anchor is the lead journalist on a television news broadcast. They capitalise on their public speaking skills to deliver news to their audience concisely and coherently. They also interview panellists and news commentators for insights into an event or occurrence.