How difficult is it to get into the journalistic field?

Hi, Madeson.

You are exactly right: the country will always need good journalists. And it's not too difficult to enter the field (there are many freelance opportunities for bigger companies), but it does require a little planning. And once you're in, you have to work really hard to prove you're ready for more and more responsibility whether you're covering sports or breaking news. The more credibility you earn, the more your career will grow.

When I was a journalist at The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, I learned that there are many kinds of journalism jobs--and many ways to enter the industry. In most cases, my colleagues had worked their way up, beginning with an assistant position or a reporting job at a smaller news organization.

Before applying for a staff position, I would recommend considering what kinds of stories you'd like to tell/uncover, and then making a list of your relevant interest or experience--anything that will convince a potential employer that you're a natural fit. For example, I was interested in features writing--and had a history of features reporting and editing in high school, and a cooking/sewing blog that illustrated my voice. With that background, it was easier to interview for a job as the assistant to an editor in chief of a style magazine, who let me work my way up to reporting and editing. Eventually, I began running our website and managing the digital team.

Once you find your way into journalism, it's also common to switch gears and cover different topics, so be strategic about the entry-level job you apply for but know that it's not what you have to do forever.

Some journalism professionals don't write or edit at all, and instead they manage departments, which is a very important job that requires a different skillset. So if you're more interested in organization and planning, there are journalism jobs for that, too! And if you're not sure what you want to cover but feel passionate about journalism in general, look for internships and rotational programs that expose you to multiple departments at a media company. They will give you space to learn and grow before committing to a field.

Hi Madeson,

As a recent grad, I have seen people give up because it was difficult, but I have also seen people thrive. If you are passionate about it and work hard, you will be fine.

Like Alainna said, don't be afraid to start at the bottom and work your way up. Get as much experience as possible, whether it's a personal blog, a campus publication, or an internship. Having these on your resume and in your portfolio will help you so much.

Best of luck!