FREE ESSAY ON CAREER OF A JOURNALIST

CAREER OF A JOURNALIST

Career of A Journalist
A Day in the Life of a Journalist 
There are many types of journalists, from the local beat newspaper reporter to the
foreign correspondent, from the magazine feature writer to the freelance book reviewer,
so it is difficult to pin down the daily routine of the average journalist. Journalists
interview sources and review records to assemble, collect, and report information and
explore the implications of the facts. Journalism informs, educates, chastises: Don't
underestimate the power a journalist holds. Professionals must be able to report quickly
and accurately. Over 80 percent of our respondents listed time pressure as one of the
most distinguishing features of this job. Journalists must have a point of view while
remaining objective about their subjects, which can be difficult; around half our
respondents said that their colleagues sometimes got too involved in the stories.
Interpersonal skills, excellent writing skills, and a reporter's instinct (the ability to
accurately assess the significance of obscure and incomplete information) are essential
to success. The uncertainty of the daily routine makes it difficult to incorporate
family, hobbies, and any regularly scheduled plans, but those who detest the
predictability of nine-to-five jobs are attracted to journalism because no day is a
carbon copy of the day before. Long hours and chronic deadline pressure can be
significantly negative factors. When an editor calls you in on a breaking story, you have
to be prepared to drop everything; when you're on deadline, you can get crazed trying to
write a complicated story in half the time you need. This ball and chain to the offices
leads many to resent, and eventually reject, the reporter's life. Some journalists
complain about being Under the thumb of Napoleonic editors who control your every word
based on their own taste. Editors are sometimes Napoleonic but more often they are simply
perfectionists. Journalists who are precious about their prose rarely last in this
profession, since articles are often edited for publication without their consultation.
Over 40 million people read newspapers in the United States each day and over 50 million
people read magazines each week. The opportunity for your writing to reach a large
audience is tempting indeed, and many find the initial low pay, uncertain and
occasionally dangerous conditions, and chaotic schedule a fair tradeoff to be allowed to
do what they do. In fact, many seem drawn by the excitement and challenge of these very
conditions. 
Paying Your Dues 
Most journalists have a bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, English, or
political science. More than a few distinguished careers have begun at the school
newspaper or at a neighborhood magazine or newspaper. Nowadays, many journalists come to
the profession later in life after gaining expertise and connections at other
professions. Journalism jobs are highly competitive: gumption and hard work must
accompany Credentials and experience. Excellent writing skills are a must, as are
computer word-processing skills. Bone up on proofreading skills before applying for any
job. Foreign language skills may be necessary for those reporting on the international
scene. Persistence, initiative, stamina, and the desire to tell real stories about real
events are critical to the survival of the budding journalist. The best journalists have
a knack for putting contemporary events into historical perspective. 
Associated Careers 
Journalists who leave the profession become editors, professors, researchers, and
analysts. Many teach high school and run school papers; others take jobs in whatever
industry they once covered as a reporter. Those who leave the field usually do so because
of the uncertain lifestyle and the long hours. 
Past and Future
The first American newspaper was printed in 1690 and quashed four days later. The growth
of journalism has been astounding: Since 1776, the number of daily newspapers printed in
the United States has risen from 37 to over 1,700, not including weeklies, magazines, and
computer-generated newsletters. Journalism, like most occupations concerned with
communication, is becoming more electronic. Online services and electronic publishers
deliver expertly written pieces twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week on the
Internet. But somebody still needs to write those pieces. Competition for jobs will
remain fierce, but specialized jobs should increase; those with unique skills, such as
technological expertise or foreign language skills, should enjoy a distinct advantage.
There are an increasing number of women succeeding in journalism, even though they still
tend to be paid less than men for the same work. Journalism is no career for a woman who
wants to raise a family, advised one professional who complained that maternity leave is
rarely (or begrudgingly) offered, and the pace of work precludes a normal family life if
either parent is in the profession. 
Quality of Life
Two Years 
Out: Many aspiring reporters begin their careers by pitching story ideas to local
newspapers and magazines on a piecemeal basis. Writers who can show clippings from school
newspapers or other publications--no matter how minor--begin with an advantage if the
prose is good. Aspiring writers may have to survive repeated rejections before a story
idea is finally accepted for publication, and the income stream from freelance journalism
is so unpredictable that many take more regular paying jobs. Most aspire to a salaried
job at a local newspaper during these scrambling years. As at all levels of this
profession, satisfaction is high despite low income. 
Five Years Out: By now most journalists have held at least two full-time salaried
positions. The most desirable jobs at this level are daily newspaper reporting jobs,
especially those with a specialized beat. It's hard for a journalist to break past the
low thirty-thousands without daily deadline experience, and this is often what separates
the men from the boys. 
Ten Years Out: Ten-year survivors in journalism still work long hours, but they have
established a strong tone and style, enjoy a dedicated readership, and are finally making
a wage commensurate with their abilities. The majority (over 60 percent) of those who
began as journalists do not make it to the ten-year mark, dissuaded by lack of
opportunity and lack of advancement. Many turn to editorial duties as well as reporting
duties. A number switch their specialties after ten years in order to keep their jobs
interesting and their writing fresh. 
Career Profile
The # of people in profession: 58,000
% male: 60
% female: 40
average hours per week: 55
average starting salary: $ 27,000
average salary after 5 years: $ 50,000
average salary after 10 to 15 years: $ 65,000
Professionals Read: Columbia Journalism Review, American Journalism Review, Broadcast &
Cable, The New York Times
Book, Films and TV Shows Featuring the Profession: All the President's Men, The Killing
Fields, His Girl Friday, Absence of Malice
Major Employers: 
Time Inc.
1271 6th Avenue
New York, NY 10020
Tel: 212-522-1212
Fax: 212-522-0077
Contact: Human Resources
Associated Press
50 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10020
Tel: 212-621-1500
Fax: 212-621-5447
Contact: Jack Stokes
The New York Times
229 West 43rd Street
New York, NY 10036
Tel: 212-556-1234
Contact: Employment Department
Cable News Network
1 CNN Center Box 105366
Atlanta, GA 30348-5366
Tel: 404-827-1500
Fax: 404-681-3578
Contact: Personnel
You'll Associate With: Editors, Photographers, Publishers, Researchers 
Major Associations: 
American Society of Journalists and Authors
1501 Broadway
Suite 302
New York, NY 10036
Tel: 212-997-0947
Fax: 212-768-7414
Contact: 
The Newspaper Guild
8611 Second Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Tel: 301-585-0166
Fax: 301-585-0668
Contact: Research Dept.
Society of Professional Journalists
PO Box 77
Greencastle, IN 46135
Tel: 765-653-3333
Fax: 765-653-4631
Contact: 
Bibliography
Career Of A Journalist
Sub-Topics
I. A Day in the Life Of a Journalist
II. Paying Your Dues
III. Associated Careers
IV. Past and Future
V. Quality of Life
VI. Career Profile
VII. Major Employers
VIII. Major Associations