How to make a good career in journalism?

Media is considered as the fourth pillar of democracy as the masses rely on them to get correct information and news. Journalism means collecting, investigating, analyzing, writing, and distributing local or international news. It plays a crucial role as it helps in the advancement of the nation. It is becoming a respectable career option for students. The media industry is divided into print media and electronic media. The print media involves newspapers, magazines, dailies, journals, and newsletters. Electronic media includes internet media through blogs or podcasts, radio, and television. Best journalism college in Delhi provide so many full-time, part-time courses to those students who are seeking to get a proper education in mass communication and journalism.

The work of a journalist is not desk-bound. They have to write a report based on their collection. Their timings should flexible as they have to meet and interview people about the incidents. They have to conduct their own detailed research on the case. They should always be alert, aware, and updated about the situations around them. In order to receive off-record information, they have to maintain a well-connected network of sources. They have to meet deadlines. Journalists can choose their own field of expertise like political, crime, economical, sports, lifestyle, entertainment, technological, and more.

Below are a few tips listed to guide one on how to make a good career in journalism:

Bachelor's degree: A three-year undergraduate course in journalism is a perfect step to enter the world of journalism. The bachelor's degree will prepare one with in-depth researching skills, evaluating leads and newsworthy events, giving the experience of news presentation. The students will be taught feature writing and other types like personality, travel hobby, or utility feature. The students are also taught about laws and regulations affecting media like freedom of the press, governmental power, and other obligations.

Master's degree: In the bachelor's degree, one is taught mass communication in generic terms but in the master's degree, it is done in specific terms. The two years of postgraduate course in journalism will help students to sharpen their research capabilities, enhance opinion-forming ability, reporting news being unbiased, maintaining the brevity, and more. Students are made aware of the credibility, as to receive off-record information from sources one must have faith and confidence.

Diploma: The diploma courses in journalism are mostly of a few months or weeks depending on the institutes. In these courses, one will be taught about the basics of journalism, reporting, writing, editing, ethics, and media laws. It is beneficial to those who have prior working experience in the media industry. They opt for this course to strengthen their skills and receive a professional qualification.

Internships: Journalism is more about field practice or learning than classroom learning. Journalism is mainly done through apprenticing or internship. Any form of paid or unpaid internships at newspapers, magazines, and broadcast stations is a crucial part as it will teach them new techniques, sharpen their skills, and will get added to one's resume. This will later make the one more eligible for a post among others. Some high schools, colleges, universities are tied up with certain newspapers or other media outlets. This will help their students to directly apply for internships.

Blogging and Vlogging: Online blogging, vlogging, or podcasting are a few new modes in digital media. Blogging is useful as routine writing of blogs will improve the writing style. Blogging in form of video content is called ‘Vlogging’. One can share their ideas, experience, and thoughts in form of a video. Both blogging and vlogging help one to stay creative. They can get huge exposure and engage large traffic to their website or channels. The level of one's creativity and enthusiasm will later spark in one's resume.

In recent times, there is a cut-throat competition in the journalism industry. One should be really passionate enough to work hard. By following the above tips and creating an impressive portfolio and resume; one can make a good career in journalism.

NRAI School of Mass Communication is one of the Best Mass Communication college in Delhi. We promote innovative and independent thinking among our students, through a forward-looking academic system, that provides theoretical and practical training.