Journalism is hard. It is difficult to find an interviewee, conduct the research necessary for an article and come up with a good pitch. This is all before you even write the article.
It’s a very rewarding career. Journalism is a rewarding field. It’s a joy to talk with people, hear their stories and learn from them. The field can be rewarding but it is important to prepare for it because of the intense nature of the job.
How can you increase your career options and acquire the necessary skills? Let me share with you five tips that have helped me to become a better reporter and given me a unique insight into the field.
1. Write
This tip may seem obvious, but it is crucial. Writing continuously can help you achieve two things: formalizing your writing style and improving it.
Your article will be a lot better if you keep your writing style consistent. Nobody wants to read a poorly written article, regardless of how good the work is. Grammar and punctuation are important!
It’s important to have a voice when writing articles, particularly when you decide what type of article you want to write. A Netflix movie article, for instance, will not use the same style or tone as a current event article; you can address your audience in a more informal way.
You can use more style as you improve. I have a tendency to use long sentences, usually separated by a semicolon. These little details give your work character and allow you to be recognized and credited for your work.
2. Practice your interviewing skills
Interviewing can be a difficult task, even though it may appear to be a straightforward part of your job. It’s difficult enough to find people who are willing to do an interview for your article, but it’s even more challenging to make sure they answer the questions correctly.
Interviews can make or break a piece. The right quotes and personal insights can help you make your point. To achieve all of this, you need to conduct a successful interview.
How can you be sure?
To make an interview successful, you need to improve your interviewing skills. This includes preparing for the interview by acquiring background information and creating and revising questions with open-ended answers. You’ll be more confident if you arrive prepared, rather than stumble over your words or struggle to get the interviewees to elaborate.
Practice these skills by talking to anyone: your parents, friends, or even your pet. Ask them questions and pretend to interview them. Ask someone to review your questions. Get helpful feedback. This will ensure you have a great interview with lots of quotes that you can use for your articles.
3. You can learn about different media
People often think that journalism is only writing. I know this because I’ve heard thousands of people say, “Oh you’re in the journalism program at your high school. Do you only write articles?”
This is not the case at all! Journalism may have its roots in writing, but technology and media has evolved our storytelling. Journalism has moved to a digital platform and there are now other ways of getting the news out than a written article.
Video, audio and photojournalism methods are examples of other ways to tell a story. Film a video. Start a podcast.
Take pictures of your surroundings. You can reach a wider audience by learning these media.
Start small if you can’t afford expensive tools such as Adobe Premier Pro. You can edit your videos in iMovie and CapCut. Use your smartphone instead of a Canon DSLR to take pictures.
You’re sure to succeed if you are dedicated to your story.
4. You can also look for pre-college programs or internships in writing/editing
It may be more difficult for you depending on where you live. Many people don’t have the same opportunities as I do because I live in New York. No matter where you are, you can find journalism programs.
It wouldn’t harm to ask your local college about journalism opportunities. You can ask the main editors or the staff of the paper you work for about any opportunities. They are the ones who know the most.
It’s the same for internships. Are you able to find an internship through a friend or a colleague in the industry? There are many ways to conduct your own research if you don’t know anyone who does.
Since I found most of the listings on Indeed, I would recommend you start there. If you are a college student, many of the internships listed on this site are aimed at students. However, if you fit the requirements, please apply. Many employers will be impressed by your passion for learning and desire to write.
These internships are great because (due the pandemic that is still going on) they have become more remote. You could be working for a California company while you are in Vermont. This may change when more mask mandates have been lifted and businesses decide that it is safe to conduct business in person once again. So take advantage of the opportunity while you can!
5. Keep informed
It can be hard to stay up-to-date with all the new information. It’s important for journalists to report what’s happening in the world.
Professional journalists are the only ones who get “the inside scoop” on a story as soon as it happens. However, there are many other ways that aspiring journalists can get information.
You should also be aware of what’s happening in your local community or how current events are affecting your city. You can ask around to see if your neighbors and community members know anything you don’t.
It’s not easy to become a journalist, but the effort is worth it. These tips are aimed at anyone who wants to be a journalist. The process can be challenging at times – audio can get lost, a story can be rejected or an interviewee can cancel last-minute. But the satisfaction that comes with a published piece makes it all worth it.
