Media, Marketing & Pr Jobs | Jobs & Careers

Journalists, reporters, correspondents and newsreaders gather information, prepare stories and make broadcasts that inform about local, national and international events; present points of view on current issues; and report on the actions of public officials and others who exercise power.

News correspondents report on news occurring in the large U.K. and foreign cities where they are stationed. In covering a story, reporters investigate leads, look at documents, observe events at the scene and interview people, taking notes and photographs. They organise the material, determine the emphasis, write their stories and edit accompanying video material. Many electronically submit the material to their offices from remote locations.

General reporters write about interesting occurrences, such as accidents, political rallies or visits of celebrities, as assigned. Large newspapers and radio and television stations assign reporters to gather news about specific topics, such as crime or education. Investigative reporters cover stories that may take many days of information gathering. News teams may include reporters, editors, graphic artists, and photographers working together to complete a story. Reporters on small publications cover all aspects of the news. They take photographs, write headlines, lay out pages and write editorials. Some also sell advertisements and perform general office work.

Important Points

Competition will be keen for jobs at large national newspapers, broadcast stations, and magazines; most entry-level openings arise at small broadcast stations and publications.
Most employers prefer individuals with a bachelor's degree in journalism or mass communications and experience gained at school newspapers or broadcasting stations or through training with news organisations.
Jobs often involve irregular hours; night and weekend work, and pressure to meet deadlines.
Slower than average employment growth is expected.

Working Conditions
The work of journalists, reporters and correspondents is usually hectic. They are under great pressure to meet deadlines. Broadcasts sometimes are aired with little or no time for preparation. Curious onlookers, police or other emergency workers can distract those reporting from the scene for radio and television. Covering wars, political uprisings, fires, floods and similar events is often dangerous. Reporters on morning papers often work from late afternoon until midnight. Radio and television reporters usually work day or evening shifts. Reporters sometimes have to change their work hours to meet a deadline or to follow late-breaking developments. Their work demands long hours, irregular schedules, and some travel. Because many channels are on the air 24 hours a day, unusual hours can be expected.

Training and Advancement
Most employers prefer individuals with a bachelor's degree in journalism or communications, but some employ graduates in other subjects. They look for experience with school newspapers or broadcasting stations, and training with news organisations. Large newspapers and channels may prefer candidates with a degree in a specialty such as economics, political science or business. Some larger newspapers and broadcasters only employ experienced reporters.

Examples of journalism courses are introductory mass media, basic reporting and copy editing, history of journalism, and press law and ethics. Students planning a career in broadcasting take courses in radio and television news and production. Those planning newspaper or magazine careers usually specialise in news-editorial journalism. To create stories for online media, they need to learn to use computer software to combine online story text with audio and video elements and graphics. Some universities also offer a master's or Ph.D. degree in journalism. Some graduate programmes are intended primarily as preparation for news careers, while others prepare journalism teachers, researchers and theorists, and advertising and public relations workers. A graduate degree may help those looking to advance. School courses in English, journalism and social studies provide a good foundation for further study. Useful university courses include English with an emphasis on writing, sociology, political science, economics, history and psychology. Courses in computer science, business and speech are useful as well. Fluency in a foreign language is necessary in some jobs.

Reporters typically need more than good word-processing skills. Computer graphics and desktop-publishing skills also are useful. Computer-assisted reporting involves the use of computers to analyse data in search of a story. This technique and the interpretation of the results require computer skills and familiarity with databases. Knowledge of news photography also is valuable for entry-level positions, which sometimes combine the responsibilities of a reporter with those of a camera operator or photographer.

Employers report that practical experience is the most important part of education and training. Upon graduation, many students already have gained much practical experience through part-time or summer jobs or through practical training with news organisations. Most newspapers, magazines and broadcast news organisations offer reporting and editing training. Submissions to school or local / free newspapers also provide practical training. Experience as a freelancera part-time reporter who is paid only for stories printedis advantageous.

Reporters should be dedicated to providing accurate and impartial news. Accuracy is important, both to serve the public and because untrue or libellous statements can lead to lawsuits. Persistence, initiative, poise, resourcefulness, a good memory and physical stamina are important, as is the emotional stability to deal with pressing deadlines, irregular hours and dangerous assignments. Broadcast reporters must be comfortable on camera. All reporters must be at ease in unfamiliar places and with a variety of people. Positions involving on-air work require a pleasant voice and appearance.

Outlook
Competition for vacancies will continue to be fierce. Most job opportunities will be with local and regional newspapers. Newspapers are increasingly employing freelancers. Research suggests that employment is expected to grow more slowly than average for until 2014. Many factors contribute to the limited job growth in this occupation. Consolidation should continue in the publishing and broadcasting industries. As a result, companies will be better able to allocate their staff to cover news stories. Improving technology is allowing workers to do their jobs more efficiently; another factor that will limit the number of workers needed to cover a certain type of news. However, the continued demand for news will create job opportunities. Job growth is likely in newer media areas, such as online newspapers and magazines. Job openings also will result from the need to replace workers who leave their occupations permanently; some reporters and correspondents find the work too stressful and hectic or do not like the lifestyle, and transfer to other occupations. The number of job openings in the newspaper and broadcasting industries is sensitive to economic difficulties, because these industries depend to a large extent on advertising revenue.