How To Make A Career In Journalism

Journalism is not for the passive. It’s for people who chase facts, ask hard questions, and tell stories that matter. If you’re serious about turning your curiosity into a career, this guide breaks it down: what journalism really demands, where to start, how to grow, and what to expect.

1. Understand What Journalism Really Is

Forget the old stereotypes. Journalism today spans print, digital, TV, radio, podcasts, and social media. But the core remains: gather information, verify it, and present it in a way that informs the public.

There are different types of journalism:

News reporting: Covering current events as they happen.
Investigative journalism: Digging deep to expose the truth.
Feature writing: Telling compelling human stories with depth.
Broadcast journalism: Delivering news via radio or television.
Photojournalism: Telling stories through images.
Data journalism: Using statistics and graphics to explain complex issues.

Your career can focus on any of these—or cross multiple areas.

2. Know the Skills You Need

Journalism is not just writing well. Here’s what employers and editors actually want:

Critical thinking: Can you tell fact from spin?
Curiosity: Are you asking questions others overlook?
Research: Can you dig deep and verify sources?
Speed: Can you work on deadline without sacrificing accuracy?
Digital literacy: Can you navigate CMS platforms, use SEO, edit video or audio?
Adaptability: News changes fast. Can you?

Soft skills matter too: resilience, ethics, the ability to handle criticism, and communication are all part of the job.

3. Start Learning (With or Without a Degree)

A degree in journalism, communications, or English helps—but it’s not required. What matters is what you can do.

If you’re in school:

Take journalism, writing, and media courses.
Write for your college newspaper or radio station.
Do internships at local or online publications.

If you’re not in school:

Take online courses (many are free).
Start a blog or YouTube channel where you report on something real.
Read and analyze good journalism daily—look at The Guardian, The New York Times, BBC, Reuters, ProPublica.

Build a habit of writing regularly and reading critically.

4. Build a Portfolio Early

Editors want proof. Your portfolio should show:

Headlines and leads that grab.
Clarity and accuracy in your reporting.
A mix of hard news, features, and analysis (if possible).
Any multimedia skills (photos, videos, podcasts).

You don’t need a fancy website. A free platform like Medium or a Google Drive folder with links and PDFs is enough to start. Just make sure it's organized, clean, and professional.

5. Get Experience, Even If It’s Small

Don’t wait for a big name to hire you. Look for these:

Local newspapers or community blogs
Niche websites (sports, tech, fashion, education)
Student-run publications
Freelance opportunities on sites like Upwork or Contently
Volunteering for NGOs that need storytellers

The goal: clips that prove you can do the job.

6. Internships Matter More Than You Think

In journalism, internships are often the gateway to full-time jobs. They help you:

Learn newsroom routines
Understand deadlines and editing processes
Build professional connections
Get published work under a recognized brand

Apply widely and early. Treat internships like auditions—because they are.

7. Pitch and Freelance to Build Your Name

Once you’ve got a few pieces under your belt, start pitching. Find outlets that publish the kind of work you want to do and send tailored pitches. A strong pitch includes:

A clear, concise story idea
Why it matters now
Why you're the right person to write it

Follow submission guidelines. Be professional, be persistent, and don’t take rejection personally. It’s part of the game.

8. Master Digital and Multimedia Tools

Modern journalists aren’t just writers. Learn to:

Use WordPress or other CMS tools
Understand basic SEO and analytics
Record and edit audio (Audacity, Adobe Audition)
Edit video (Premiere Pro, Final Cut)
Use social media to amplify your stories

Bonus: learn basic HTML, data visualization, or tools like Tableau or Flourish. These set you apart.

9. Network Like It’s Part of the Job—Because It Is

Journalism thrives on connections. To build yours:

Attend workshops, media festivals, or press events
Join journalism associations (like SPJ, NABJ, or Online News Association)
Follow and engage with journalists on Twitter or LinkedIn
Reach out for informational interviews (politely and briefly)

Most jobs are filled through people, not job boards.

10. Stay Ethical, Stay Curious

In a world of misinformation, real journalism stands out when it’s honest, fair, and verified. Don’t chase clicks. Chase truth.

Read codes of ethics (like the SPJ’s). Stay transparent. If you make a mistake, correct it publicly. Reputation is everything.

What About Pay and Stability?

Let’s be real: journalism isn’t always the most stable field. Entry-level salaries can be modest. Layoffs happen. But:

Freelancing can supplement income
Niche reporting (e.g., tech, finance, data) pays more
As you grow, you can pivot to editing, producing, or communications roles

Passion, persistence, and skills open doors. Just know what you’re getting into and plan smart.

A career in journalism isn’t a straight line. It’s a hustle. It’s late nights, tight deadlines, tough interviews, and public scrutiny. But it’s also uncovering truths, telling human stories, and making a difference.

Start small. Build skills. Get published. Keep learning. If you’ve got the drive, journalism will find a place for you.