3 answers
Mason
Student
Rock Hill, South Carolina
1
Question
Asked
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What does it take to become a sports journalist?
How do you get started in the career?
What is the pay like?
3 answers
David Eaton
Media - Content - Transformation
11
Answers
Updated
David’s Answer
To answer your second question first, the pay stinks in the beginning. There are simply too many people chasing too few jobs and not much of an incentive to for employers to pay any more than they absolutely have to. Having said that....
Getting an internship is a great start. So is covering local teams as a stringer for your local paper (assuming you have one) or website that covers your area. If you are in or headed to college and your school has a newspaper, that's another route. The key is to put together a portfolio or clips of published material you've written. You want to be able to demonstrate to hiring managers that you have some experience and know what you are doing.
Good luck.
Getting an internship is a great start. So is covering local teams as a stringer for your local paper (assuming you have one) or website that covers your area. If you are in or headed to college and your school has a newspaper, that's another route. The key is to put together a portfolio or clips of published material you've written. You want to be able to demonstrate to hiring managers that you have some experience and know what you are doing.
Good luck.
Elizabeth Mokrousova 🇺🇦
Pursuit Manager
2
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Elizabeth’s Answer
Hi Mason,
Great question!
Let's start with what it takes: Passion and dedication are critical, but beyond that, any great sports journalist is a great general journalist first. Attending a journalism school or college/university with a journalism or broadcast journalism program will be great for helping you build out your experience. Growing your writing style and practicing your "announcer" voice, along with learning what makes journalism so important for the general public are just a few of the things you can expect to take away from that education.
As for the pay: This varies, depending on the size of the organization and the level of your role. Generally, journalism does not pay well compared to other roles that require the same level of education and niche expertise. This is definitely something to consider. As the other answers already noted, gaining a great internship (multiple are even better) along with building strong connections with those you meet during these internships will help you leverage a better full-time position and hopefully pay as well.
Do some research on glassdoor to see what sports journalists are making on average and do some research on which companies you may be interested in that offer regular internships throughout the year
Great question!
Let's start with what it takes: Passion and dedication are critical, but beyond that, any great sports journalist is a great general journalist first. Attending a journalism school or college/university with a journalism or broadcast journalism program will be great for helping you build out your experience. Growing your writing style and practicing your "announcer" voice, along with learning what makes journalism so important for the general public are just a few of the things you can expect to take away from that education.
As for the pay: This varies, depending on the size of the organization and the level of your role. Generally, journalism does not pay well compared to other roles that require the same level of education and niche expertise. This is definitely something to consider. As the other answers already noted, gaining a great internship (multiple are even better) along with building strong connections with those you meet during these internships will help you leverage a better full-time position and hopefully pay as well.
Elizabeth recommends the following next steps:
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6180
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Dear Mason,
Blueprint for Building a Successful Sports Journalism Career Through Networking
The cornerstone of a thriving career in sports journalism is effective networking. Here's a practical guide to forging valuable connections that will propel your journey in this field:
1. Participate in Industry Gatherings: A prime method for networking in sports journalism is participating in industry gatherings such as conferences, seminars, workshops, and networking mixers. These occasions offer a golden chance to interact with field professionals, including journalists, editors, broadcasters, and sports media personalities. Engage in discussions, swap contact details, and follow up post-event to forge valuable connections.
2. Harness Social Media: Platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram are potent networking tools in today's digital era. Follow leading figures in sports journalism, interact with their content by commenting and sharing insights, and reach out via direct messages or emails to show your interest in the field. Cultivating a robust online presence can also draw potential mentors or collaborators.
3. Pursue Internships and Volunteer Roles: Landing internships or volunteering roles with sports media organizations, news outlets, or sports teams can offer practical experience and valuable networking opportunities. By working with industry professionals, you can demonstrate your skills, learn from experienced journalists, and broaden your network in the sports journalism community.
4. Join Professional Associations: Consider becoming a member of professional associations related to sports journalism such as the National Sports Media Association (NSMA), Association for Women in Sports Media (AWSM), or Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ). These associations provide networking events, workshops, job boards, mentorship programs, and resources that can connect you with industry professionals and boost your career.
5. Conduct Informational Interviews: Arranging informational interviews with established sports journalists or media professionals can be a significant networking tactic. Prepare insightful questions about their career trajectories, field experiences, and advice for budding journalists. Building relationships through informational interviews can lead to mentorship opportunities or job referrals.
6. Cultivate Peer Relationships: Networking isn't solely about connecting with established professionals; cultivating relationships with peers who share your passion for sports journalism can also be advantageous. Collaborating on projects, exchanging resources and insights, attending industry-related workshops together, and supporting each other's career advancement can create a robust network of like-minded individuals.
By consistently and genuinely applying these networking strategies, you can forge meaningful connections within the sports journalism industry that may unlock exciting career opportunities.
Top 3 Credible Sources Used:
Poynter Institute: A prestigious organization committed to journalism education and research.
Sports Journalism Institute (SJI): A premier program offering training and opportunities for aspiring sports journalists.
Columbia Journalism Review: A reputable publication concentrating on media criticism and analysis within the journalism industry.
These sources were referenced to gather insights on effective networking strategies for those pursuing careers in sports journalism.
BLESSINGS TO YOU!
JC.
Blueprint for Building a Successful Sports Journalism Career Through Networking
The cornerstone of a thriving career in sports journalism is effective networking. Here's a practical guide to forging valuable connections that will propel your journey in this field:
1. Participate in Industry Gatherings: A prime method for networking in sports journalism is participating in industry gatherings such as conferences, seminars, workshops, and networking mixers. These occasions offer a golden chance to interact with field professionals, including journalists, editors, broadcasters, and sports media personalities. Engage in discussions, swap contact details, and follow up post-event to forge valuable connections.
2. Harness Social Media: Platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram are potent networking tools in today's digital era. Follow leading figures in sports journalism, interact with their content by commenting and sharing insights, and reach out via direct messages or emails to show your interest in the field. Cultivating a robust online presence can also draw potential mentors or collaborators.
3. Pursue Internships and Volunteer Roles: Landing internships or volunteering roles with sports media organizations, news outlets, or sports teams can offer practical experience and valuable networking opportunities. By working with industry professionals, you can demonstrate your skills, learn from experienced journalists, and broaden your network in the sports journalism community.
4. Join Professional Associations: Consider becoming a member of professional associations related to sports journalism such as the National Sports Media Association (NSMA), Association for Women in Sports Media (AWSM), or Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ). These associations provide networking events, workshops, job boards, mentorship programs, and resources that can connect you with industry professionals and boost your career.
5. Conduct Informational Interviews: Arranging informational interviews with established sports journalists or media professionals can be a significant networking tactic. Prepare insightful questions about their career trajectories, field experiences, and advice for budding journalists. Building relationships through informational interviews can lead to mentorship opportunities or job referrals.
6. Cultivate Peer Relationships: Networking isn't solely about connecting with established professionals; cultivating relationships with peers who share your passion for sports journalism can also be advantageous. Collaborating on projects, exchanging resources and insights, attending industry-related workshops together, and supporting each other's career advancement can create a robust network of like-minded individuals.
By consistently and genuinely applying these networking strategies, you can forge meaningful connections within the sports journalism industry that may unlock exciting career opportunities.
Top 3 Credible Sources Used:
Poynter Institute: A prestigious organization committed to journalism education and research.
Sports Journalism Institute (SJI): A premier program offering training and opportunities for aspiring sports journalists.
Columbia Journalism Review: A reputable publication concentrating on media criticism and analysis within the journalism industry.
These sources were referenced to gather insights on effective networking strategies for those pursuing careers in sports journalism.
BLESSINGS TO YOU!
JC.
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