Become a Reporter!
What does a Reporter Do?
Reporters, correspondents, and broadcast news analysts inform the public about news and events happening internationally, nationally, and locally. They report the news for newspapers, magazines, websites, television, and radio.
Necessary skills and Required Certification
Employers generally prefer workers who have a bachelor’s degree in journalism or communications along with an internship or work experience from a college radio or television station or a newspaper. Good people skills, the ability to create an exciting interview, ability to process new information, acute timing, a good ethical direction, all which are included in the "Skills without Script"
Personalities that Click
Outgoing people, wanting to share knowledge, someone who doesn't procrastinate, hard working, enjoys a challenge and putting the pieces together. Not afraid of something new.
Training, Work Environment, and Wages
Most businesses would like to see a reporter with an internship at a local radio or TV station. There is no on the job training offered. The average annual income is $35,870 for reporters and correspondents. That is approximately $17.83 per hour. Th work environment is fast paced, with constant demands to meet deadlines and to be the first reporter to publish a news story on a subject. Also there is a lot of time spent in the field, creating interviews and conducting research.
Available Jobs, Internships, and International Positions
In 2012, there were about 57,600 jobs for a reporter in the U.S., most of the jobs are available in California, and after that is Florida, Ohio, and then Wisconsin. City wise, the most jobs are available in Cincinnati or Phoenix. Most international Jobs can be found in Australia, however, this job has a the ability to have you travel around the globe.
Professional Social Networks
These networks include LinkedIn, IIMA, CMO, and many others. The main point of these companies is to bring everyone together and share ideas and work as a team. Other websites include BranchOut, SpiceWorks, Biznik, GadBall, EFactor, ProScore, BeKnown, StartUpNation, Ziggs and Ryze. All of these networks are efforts to create companies that work more as a team and make it easier to share new ideas an information.
Did You Know?
Reporters need to attempt to keep an un-biased stance when reporting a story, and can only report the facts hat they have found or discovered. No assumptions allowed. Reporters have to be on their toes at all times and be grammar experts, the editors do too!