By,
Dr. Pinak Pani Basumatary,
Assistant Professor,
Satyam School of Journalism & Mass Communication
Are you looking for a career in Journalism? As we all know that Journalists
play vital role in informing people about important events, deliver news,
information dissemination bringing focus on issues which impact our lives.
It happens through attending press conferences, taking interviews,
collecting relevant information, conducting research and making them into
stories which audiences find engaging and informative.
Journalism in India is viewed as dynamic and inspiring field that attracts
individuals passionate about storytelling and truth-seeking either through
writing, filming, or interviewing. Journalism offers platforms to share
important stories that matter, brings focus on issues that deserve
attention, and raises awareness that leads to positive change. The rise in
digital media has witnessed the evolving and changing role of the
journalists marked by increasing packages and compensation. But one
must also realize that it’s not just smooth sailing, one also needs to be
resilient, adaptable, and constantly willing to learn and grow in this field.
Journalism involves passion, curiosity and commitment to accuracy and
truth.
There are various specializations in Journalism covering multiple areas
ranging from sports, politics, business, entertainment, technology,
medicine, education etc. From the above, one can safely infer that
Journalism offers plenty of opportunities to explore various fields.
Performing functions like analysis of current events, story-telling at local,
regional, national and international level.
1. Lay the Foundation: Earn Your Educational Degree
First and foremost, one must keep in mind that Bachelor’s degree is
minimum level of educational qualification required in most of the News
Media organisations. A degree is most preferred, so many media aspirants
go on to acquire Bachelor’s degree in Journalism. One of the best ways of
entering into the field of Journalism is by gaining a formal or a
professional degree in case one lacks prior work experience or
engagement in this field. While earning a Bachelors or Master’s degree in
Journalism or a related field, students will acquire the necessary
knowledge, expertise, skills which lays strong foundation for building a
successful career in Journalism. Various courses are being offered have
been designed to teach and train the fundamentals of reporting, media
ethics, legal aspects, research and specialized subjects like investigative
techniques, multimedia reporting, critical writing and interviewing skills
etc. One also learns about the different mediums for modern journalism,
including print, electronic and digital media.
Consequently, one also gets the opportunity to get involved in college
newspaper, newsletter, magazine, radio and TV studios, Audio Visual Labs
and seek internships at local papers, media production houses and
broadcast studios securing industry relationships early, more importantly
it equips the students with the latest technological skills and best
practices of the industry. Thus, colleges and institutes of Journalism and
Mass Communication act as a catalyst for budding journalists and media
persons by developing their hard and soft skills and moulding them into
professional journalists.
The other benefit of enrolling in a degree course of Journalism and Mass
Communication is that if one is unsure of which area to pick for
specialization, he/she will get safe opportunity to learn and get exposed
to test their skills in different roles and responsibility, gaining familiarity
and experience in the process through the coursework based on both
theory and practical which makes them realise their inner potential. One
must also keep in mind that even before entering any professional work,
it is essential for any media aspirant who wants to be journalists to be
prepared to educate oneself through experiential learning because it acts
as a learning period that sharpens and enriches one’s journalistic abilities.
2. Unleash Your Voice: Create Compelling Blogs
In these days and in the age of digital media and technology, one can also
climb the Journalism ladder by exploring the world of blogging through
one’s own independent creative writing and by posting contents, stories,
news, views that attract viewers and audience hungry for fresh content
searching for unique ideas, stories which appeal to their interest. When
they come across such articles, write-ups, opinion pieces and read them
they feel updated and contended. Be it sports, fashion, food, literature,
society, travelling, gender, politics or empowerment the list is endless. In
this manner, the blog creator achieves independence, liberty and creative
control. If one is able to attract and cultivate followers, they can also start
receiving monetary benefits literally giving them visibility and recognition.
But what it also primarily does is that it provides training and opportunity
to practice and improve skills which prepare them for future roles that one
intends to seeks as a practicing Journalist.
3. Craft Your Identity: Organize Online Portfolios
In the current digital world, it is very crucial to have an online presence
and therefore creating online portfolio is important for journalists. This will
represent your unique style and publications to the world. So, every
Journalist, experienced or new who wants to gain recognition or attention,
needs to build an online portfolio to constantly grow, as it applauds his or
her area of expertise, kind of stories one is interested in creating and
undertaking. That’s why selecting the best work that represents versatility
and range in the form of write-ups, articles, contents and videos is vital.
Choose the best and latest platforms to highlight your work. Create your
website which is mobile-friendly, easy to navigate, accessible and update
your portfolio regularly, promote yourself through social media and
through other online portals.
4. Seize Opportunities: Internships and Resumes
Internships are useful methods to seek opportunity and gain experience in
real media environment or settings, usually interns get exposure by
engaging with professionals which is valuable when seeking entry level
work in a media organization. News and media organisations mostly look
to hire those media aspirants who have knowledge that is practical,
applicable and can be utilized to address real world problems and issues.
Resumes are often important tools of submitting information to an
organisation for being spotted and consequently hired. These resumes
contain information and details of educational background, work
experience and sample of work which fulfils their job requirements and
most importantly highlights achievements, body of work like writing
samples which exhibit the area one is interested to work in.
5. Embrace Freedom: Freelancing
In recent years freelance journalism has transformed the media landscape
leading to diversity, flexibility and more opportunities to work as a
freelance journalist simultaneously looking for a permanent position in a
media organisation. Freelancing has created opportunities for the
journalists across the globe with enormous prospects to work on one’s
own terms and conditions.
This makes it easier for a freelance journalist to balance work and handle
different projects at the same time gaining experience. This allows one to
develop an independent idea, work on it, develop and pitch it to a media
organisation. Freelance Journalist can also contribute to different
publications, news websites and media organisations. Allowing one to
showcase versatility and range as a journalist, offering to cover wide
range of topic reaching a wider audience base.