If you want to have a career that revolves around writing, having a journalism degree is a great way to share your communication skills with the world. Whether you work in a traditional print setting or take on the marketing or public relations side of things, you’ll learn invaluable skills in a journalism program. That will open the door to many exciting careers.
Getting Your Journalism Degree
Getting a degree in this field gives you a broad foundation in the world of writing and communications. You will learn effective techniques for research, as well as technical skills that allow you to succeed. You’ll work with a variety of technological tools to prepare you for a modern career. The field is broad, so you’ll likely learn about a number of important aspects, including:
- Laws and ethics in journalism
- Methods of advanced research
- Videography and photography
- News gathering and reporting
- News writing and editing
If you’re concerned about paying for your education, you might want to consider taking out private student loans for undergrad school. That lets you start your degree program now instead of having to wait. One benefit is that your loan repayments are often tax-deductible up to a certain amount each year.
What Can You Do with the Degree?
Journalism is a rapidly-changing field, and today’s job opportunities take advantage of new technologies in publication. Once you have your degree, you can work in one of many industries that require solid communication skills. While fields like content writing, reporting, and editing are open to you, many graduates choose to work in marketing as well. No matter what career path you decide to take, you’ll likely start with an entry-level position. But some companies will offer opportunities to quickly move up to a higher-paying position. Journalism lets you have a fast-paced career that lets you develop your skill for writing. The research and technical skills will make you invaluable to many modern companies in a range of industries. Great communication skills are always important, no matter where you end up working.
Entry-Level Jobs
One job to consider is an editorial assistant. You will use both your writing and speaking skills to help with different stages of the publishing process. The role will vary depending on whether you work at a magazine, publishing house, or a newsletter. Your job is to curate content relevant to the publication. You should have attention to detail and great organizational skills. If you’d rather work on the writing side of things, you may want to be a digital content writer. You will work with the editors and other members of the creative team to turn marketing strategies into realities. You will help to optimize content for search engines while creating ideas for future content. Copy editors are critical for producing any digital or print publication, and they ensure that there are no grammatical errors or typos in the final content. You’ll look for inconsistencies or omissions while making sure the content meets the publication’s style guidelines.
