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Journalists report, write, edit, promote, interpret, and publish or broadcast the news and related information for a variety of media business.

NATURE OF THE OCCUPATION

Reporters are Journalists who gather information and write about newsworthy events and issues. Journalists may:

Collect and verify story information through interviews, investigations, and observations

Research and analyze background information found in the news media library (morgue), wire service reports, public documents, records, news releases, and other sources

Determine the emphasis of a story, its length, and its format

Write articles; review copy; and correct errors in content, grammar, and punctuation

Editors are Journalists who direct the policies and production of a publication or broadcast. Editors may:

Write, rewrite, and edit written, graphic, and other materials

Select and reject material for publication or broadcast

Organize materials on page layouts or plan the use of films or tapes for broadcasts

Review final material for writing quality, clarity, accuracy, audience appeal, and for conformity to media ethics, codes, and other standards

Plan budgets and time schedules

Negotiate contracts for publication rights

In addition, editors supervise the work of reporters and other editors and may coordinate the activities of photographers, artists, printers, and other staff.

Tools, equipment, and materials used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Journalists may specialize in these areas:

131.262-018 REPORTERS are Journalists who gather information and write about newsworthy events and issues. They may work on general or special assignments, or concentrate in one area such as sports, politics, or business. They may also specialize as news or feature writers, broadcast Journalists, editorial writers, historical Journalists, investigative reporters, free-lance writers, or correspondents.

131.067-010 COLUMNISTS AND COMMENTATORS analyze news items and write stories for publication or broadcast based on personal knowledge and experience with the subject matter.

132.017-014 NEWSPAPER EDITORS formulate editorial policy and direct the newspaper's overall news gathering operations.

132.037-018 DEPARTMENT EDITORS supervise personnel who select, gather and edit news, photographs, and other items for one or more specialized news departments.

132.037-022 PUBLICATIONS EDITORS (usually called city editor or metro editor) formulate policy; plan, coordinate, and direct reporting activities; and supervise workers who assist in selecting and preparing material for publication in magazines, trade journals, newsletters, and related publications.

132.017-018 TECHNICAL AND SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS EDITORS direct and coordinate the activities of staff engaged in preparing technical, scientific, medical, or other related material for publication.

132.132-010 ASSIGNMENT EDITORS supervise and coordinate activities of radio or television news staffs. They also edit copy scheduled for broadcast and write transitional copy to keep the show moving.

132.267-014 EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS help other Journalists by completing a variety of research, editing, production, and clerical assignments.

131.067-022 EDITORIAL WRITERS comment on topics of reader interest.

131.262-014 NEWSWRITERS write news stories for publication or broadcast from notes supplied by reporters.

In addition to learning bout these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following CEscripts.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

A Journalist's place in the organizational structure depends on the type and size of the publication or station staff and the individual's ability and experience.

Journalists working for newspapers or magazines usually work in one large room with continuous noise from telephones, equipment, and people's conversations. Eyestrain may result from prolonged T.V. viewing. Those and graphics editing and processing equipment. Environmental factors and production deadlines may cause symptoms of occupational stress.

Editors spend most of their time indoors. Reporters may be outside a great deal of time. Some Reporters may receive dangerous assignments.

Journalists usually work a 35 to 40 hour week, but schedules depend on deadlines. Journalists rarely work from 8:00 a.m.  to 5:00 p.m. Overtime is frequently necessary. Some media businesses must have reporters and other Journalists available at all times, and weekend work may be necessary. Depending on the particular assignment, place of employment, and level of the job, they might have to travel, but most travel expenses are reimbursed.

Some newspapers, publishing houses, and stations are unionized. Many Journalists join professional associations. Organization members pay periodic dues.

You should Prefer:

• Activities which may bring both esteem and criticism from others

• Activities involving business contact with people

• Activities requiring writing skills for communication of information

You Should Be Able To:

• Use reason and logic

• Understand the meanings and inter-relationships of words and ideas

• Express yourself clearly and concisely in writing

• Interpret ideas or facts from an individual viewpoint

• Influence others in their judgments

• Make decisions about information using personal judgment

• Plan and organize your work and give directions to others

• Develop agreeable working relationships with others

• Perform a variety of duties

• Work under pressure of deadlines and difficult assignments

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

You have to cover six stories in two weeks. How much time do you spend on each story?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

You are covering a story on a new breakthrough in medical research. You need to be able to read and understand the medical literature about the research.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Gather and document news and information about events on a local, national, or international level.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

A new story breaks four hours from the newspaper deadline and you need to decide which information is most important before the deadline.

With few exceptions, graduation from college is required for this employment. Journalists have diverse backgrounds, but a journalism or communications major is valuable preparation, particularly when combined with a minor in liberal arts or in an area of specialization, such as business administration or science. In addition, special skills in such areas as photography, broadcast production, or film editing are often required for beginning Journalists.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: An Associate Degree (two years of study beyond high school) or a Bachelor's Degree (four years of study beyond high school) or a Master's Degree (five to six years of study beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the CEscript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0600 BUSINESS , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 1100 ECONOMICS , 1300 ENGLISH , 1600 FOREIGN LANGUAGE , 1700 GOVERNMENT , 1900 HISTORY , 2100 LITERATURE , 2200 MATH , 2600 PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO , 3000 SOCIAL STUDIES , 3100 STUDY & WORK OPTIONS

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this CEscript

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

086 JOURNALISM

Programs in Journalism provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills needed for employment providing stories, news, advertising, and announcements for magazines, newspapers, technical publications, T.V., and radio. Broadcast journalism is usually taught as a separate course of study. (See program #34, Communications). Individuals who teach Journalism at the secondary school level must have a Michigan Teaching Certificate.

Courses vary from school to school but may include:

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this CEscript.

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

Please check Military website at http://www.myfuture.com .

BROADCAST JOURNALISTS AND NEWS WRITERS

The military publishes newspapers and broadcasts television and radio programs for its personnel and the public. These services are an important source of general information about people and events in the military. Broadcast journalists and news writers write and present news programs, music programs, and radio talk shows.

What They Do

Broadcast journalists and news writers in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Gather information for military news programs and publications

• Write radio and TV scripts

• Develop ideas for news articles

• Arrange and conduct interviews

• Collect information for commercial media use

• Select photographs and write captions for news articles

• Write news releases, feature articles, and editorials

Work Environment

Broadcast journalists and news writers work in broadcasting studios on land or aboard ships, or sometimes outdoors, depending upon the research needed for their articles.

Training Provided

Job training consists of 9 to 12 weeks of classroom instruction.

Course content typically includes:

• Newswriting and research

• Newspaper format and layout

• Photojournalism (writing news stories featuring pictures)

• Radio and television programming and production

Physical Demands

Normal color vision and the passing of a voice audition are required for some specialties in this area.

Helpful Attributes

Helpful school subjects include English, journalism, speech, typing, and media communications. Helpful attributes include:

• Ability to keep detailed and accurate records

• Interest in researching facts and issues for news stories

• Ability to write clearly and concisely

• Strong, clear speaking voice

Civilian Counterparts

Broadcast journalists and news writers work for newspapers, magazines, wire services, and radio and television stations. Their duties are similar to those performed by military journalists and newswriters. They may be employed as newscasters, disc jockeys, writers, directors, producers, editors, or correspondents.

Opportunities

The military has about 1,800 broadcast journalists and news writers. On average, the services need about 130 new broadcast journalists and news writers each year. After job training they research and announce news stories and music programs. Eventually, they may become editors or editorial assistants or managers of broadcasting stations. 

E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Working on the staff of a high school or college newspaper or broadcasting station can be good experience. Postsecondary schools in journalism may provide co-op or internship opportunities. Part-time work on small publications or at broadcasting stations may provide valuable experience. Experience is also available in the military service.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Journalists employer

internships

volunteer work with a Journalists employer

community service work with an agency

To find work as a Journalist, apply directly (send a resume and writing sample) to newspaper and other publication offices, information services and news bureaus. Assistance in locating a job may be found in college placement offices or through newspaper and trade publication want ads. Internships and work study arrangements have become important in finding jobs. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

Michigan Talent Bank

America's Job Bank

Classifieds Employment

Yahoo! Careers

MONSTER.COM
Spherion.com

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Journalists' earnings vary with geographic location, size of city, market share of the employer, unionization, skill and experience, and level of work. Pay and benefits are usually higher for Journalists working for TV networks, chains of newspapers or chains of broadcast stations. Television news reporters earn higher salaries than Radio news reporters.

The national average starting salary in 2003 for directors of radio news departments was $21,600 while experienced radio news directors earned an average of $58,600.  Starting TV reporters earned an annual average of $28,872, while experience reporters averaged $38,960. Nationally, unionized Newspaper Reporters had starting minimum salaries ranging from $12,740 to $73,446 per year in early 2004. The range of top minimum salaries for Reporters with 2 to 6 years of experience was $20,150 to $75,149 per year. In addition to base salaries, many newspaper Reporters received cost-of-living payments.

Among writers in newspapers, syndicated columnists' earnings are highest, although this is not true for local columnists. Fees for each column depend on the newspaper and popularity of the columnist. Highest top salaries for editors who are managers of large magazines varied from about $50,000 to $80,000 per year.

In  Michigan   , unionized newspaper Reporters earned minimum starting salaries between $24,566 and $30,860 in early 2004. Those with 4 or 5 years of experience had minimum salaries ranging from $41,903 to $43,733 yearly.

Usual fringe benefits for both Reporters and Editors may receive paid vacations, holidays, health and hospitalization insurance, tuition reimbursement, and retirement plans.

Advancement for Journalists may occur from a small to a large publisher, from a small to a larger newspaper within a chain, from generalists to specialist, or from reporter to editor. A career ladder may be: Reporter, assistant editor or production assistant, department or assignment editor, managing editor or broadcast director. Advancement does not always mean promotion to management positions. Many reporters advance to feature writer, columnist, or special correspondent. These jobs offer a greater challenge, increased prestige and recognition, and higher income. Other reporters transfer to communications related areas such as public relations, advertising, or technical writing. Advancement for a Broadcast Journalist may mean a move to a larger market.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, about 61,500 Journalists were employed in 2002. Employment is expected to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations through the year 2012. About 3.7% of all Journalists were self-employed.  The industry distribution for this occupation looked like this:

The best opportunities will be with small-town newspapers and for graduates who have completed news-editorial internships. Opportunities will be favorable for Journalists with experience in copy editing and in business communications and who can handle highly specialized scientific and technical subjects.

There were about 1,750 Journalists employed in  Michigan   . Some were self-employed. Most worked in or near urban areas and large cities. Many worked in the printing and publishing industry for newspapers, magazines, radio and television broadcasting stations, or news wire services.

Employment of Journalists is expected to decline through the year 2010. An average of 60 openings is expected annually due to replacement of those who leave the occupation. Additional openings will occur as workers change jobs or occupations. Individuals with average ability will meet stiff competition, especially for higher paying jobs. The broad field of mass communication is expected to continue to expand, although at a slower rate, because of rising levels of education, increased spending for advertising through the media, and a growing number of trade and technical journals. In addition, the expanding population will need increased newspaper and broadcasting services, especially in localities not presently served by newspapers and radio-TV.

The growth of both cable television and videotaped presentations may affect employment opportunities for Journalists. Journalists experienced in printed media specializations can sometimes increase their employability by obtaining the necessary experience and training to allow them to work for broadcast media businesses as well.

MICHIGAN  'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2010

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request form sources below.

Copyright © 2004 Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth