4 answers
Natalie
Student
Miamisburg, Ohio
1
Question
Asked
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Journalism
I have always wanted to be a journalist, but with all the controversy over the news and the lack of interest towards newspapers, how do I know if I'm making the right choice? How much money will I make? Will it be enough to support myself? I'm worried that I'm making a bad choice by pursuing English and Journalism. Am I making a mistake if this is what I have loved to do and wanted my whole life? #journalism #english #news #writing
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4 answers
Lore Croghan
Digital copywriter, former journalist and feature writer
12
Answers
Dayton, Ohio
Updated
Lore’s Answer
Nathalie,
You asked this question in 2017 – but it’s a deeply important one, so I am answering it for everyone who’s in your situation now and in the future.
Journalism is what you have wanted your whole life. Therefore, it is a perfect career choice for you.
It is the perfect choice despite the fact that journalists’ pay is lousy. Last year, the local newspaper chain where you and I live was hiring reporters for the very same salary they paid me in 1986. But today, the dollar is worth 39 percent of what it was worth in 1986. Yikes.
You must promise yourself to live frugally and spend cautiously, and you must keep that promise.
A double major of English and journalism is an excellent course of study. I became a better writer because I read Shakespeare and Dickens. I had a blast when I read Shakespeare and Dickens. Both these things will be true for you, too.
As for your journalism major, make sure you take courses in reporting, writing and editing breaking news and feature stories – and also operating a video camera, doing stand-up reporting on camera and taking professional-caliber photos. You should also take courses on how journalists use social media and how to search public records.
Many newspaper job postings are for “multi-media journalists,” which is why you must be trained to do on-camera reporting even if you don’t long to be a broadcast journalist.
Journalists make a difference in America. The Washington Post wasn’t joking around when they chose “Democracy dies in darkness” as their slogan. My best wishes to all who choose this career path.
You asked this question in 2017 – but it’s a deeply important one, so I am answering it for everyone who’s in your situation now and in the future.
Journalism is what you have wanted your whole life. Therefore, it is a perfect career choice for you.
It is the perfect choice despite the fact that journalists’ pay is lousy. Last year, the local newspaper chain where you and I live was hiring reporters for the very same salary they paid me in 1986. But today, the dollar is worth 39 percent of what it was worth in 1986. Yikes.
You must promise yourself to live frugally and spend cautiously, and you must keep that promise.
A double major of English and journalism is an excellent course of study. I became a better writer because I read Shakespeare and Dickens. I had a blast when I read Shakespeare and Dickens. Both these things will be true for you, too.
As for your journalism major, make sure you take courses in reporting, writing and editing breaking news and feature stories – and also operating a video camera, doing stand-up reporting on camera and taking professional-caliber photos. You should also take courses on how journalists use social media and how to search public records.
Many newspaper job postings are for “multi-media journalists,” which is why you must be trained to do on-camera reporting even if you don’t long to be a broadcast journalist.
Journalists make a difference in America. The Washington Post wasn’t joking around when they chose “Democracy dies in darkness” as their slogan. My best wishes to all who choose this career path.
Alex Miller
Creator of Compelling Content
16
Answers
Updated
Alex’s Answer
It's true that journalism is in a more challenging environment than in years past, but there is definitely room in the world for new journalists and content creators and managers! Large newspapers like the NY Times and the Washington Post are seeing a resurgence in interest and profits as the internet gets clogged with fake news. In many smaller towns, the local paper remains the only real source of news.
Compared to, say, an engineer just starting out at $80k/year+, you will find work as a journalist will be lower-paid. A good place to start is at a smaller paper in an area where the cost of living isn't so high. You may haver to settle for a salary in the high 20s/low 30s. Get your experience, gain some clips (samples of your work that have been published) and then you can start climbing up the income ladder. Don't forget many companies need writers -- it's not only newspapers that need journalists!
Compared to, say, an engineer just starting out at $80k/year+, you will find work as a journalist will be lower-paid. A good place to start is at a smaller paper in an area where the cost of living isn't so high. You may haver to settle for a salary in the high 20s/low 30s. Get your experience, gain some clips (samples of your work that have been published) and then you can start climbing up the income ladder. Don't forget many companies need writers -- it's not only newspapers that need journalists!
Thank you so much! That's great advice and I appreciate it!
Natalie
Dhrumil Mehta
Database Journalist, Politics @ FiveThirtyEight
4
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Dhrumil’s Answer
Hello,
I'm a Data Journalist, which is a type of journalist that both does reporting and writing but also analyzes data, crunches numbers, and knows how to write computer programs. The skills that a data journalist has these days are in high demand in other fields as well, and those additional skills can provide an additional sense of security in terms of being able to support yourself. Its also a lot of fun to extend the art of storytelling to the web through things like interactive data visualizations. There are journalism schools that will also give you some training in data and programming as part of your journalism education. Furthermore, if you build out a diverse skillset in journalism during your years in school including video, audio, writing, etc...those skills will extend to other fields as well.
Hope that helps!
Dhrumil
I'm a Data Journalist, which is a type of journalist that both does reporting and writing but also analyzes data, crunches numbers, and knows how to write computer programs. The skills that a data journalist has these days are in high demand in other fields as well, and those additional skills can provide an additional sense of security in terms of being able to support yourself. Its also a lot of fun to extend the art of storytelling to the web through things like interactive data visualizations. There are journalism schools that will also give you some training in data and programming as part of your journalism education. Furthermore, if you build out a diverse skillset in journalism during your years in school including video, audio, writing, etc...those skills will extend to other fields as well.
Hope that helps!
Dhrumil
Thank you so much!
Natalie
Rachel Shuster
Former USA TODAY sports writer-editor
10
Answers
Monsey, New York
Updated
Rachel’s Answer
It is more important than ever that we have journalists who can keep on top of the government and make sure our elected officials are honest -- or just covering whatever area of interest to you, and making sure the most accurate information gets out to the public.
But while in school it's important to get as rounded an education as possible. Minor in journalism, but major in the social sciences and/or English. Employers want to know that you know more than just how to construct a good story.
But while in school it's important to get as rounded an education as possible. Minor in journalism, but major in the social sciences and/or English. Employers want to know that you know more than just how to construct a good story.
Thank you so much!
Natalie