Whether you have a passion for investigating current issues or you’re looking for a meaningful and rewarding way to utilize your writing skills, a career in journalism might be the way forward. It doesn’t take a keen eye to see that the field has experienced a significant change in the past few decades.
The explosion of communication technology has moved journalism into the digital space, with social platforms adding to and transforming the information palette. While traditional channels like newspapers and magazines might be on their way out, the demand for people who can tell compelling stories in a clear and concise manner remains.
If you have doubts about whether you should study journalism, the following few points should provide some clarity.
Expand Your Network
Before you even land your first internship, the wealth of networking opportunities provided by journalism will start coming your way. While you’re studying, you’ll be exposed to professors and industry experts who can help you secure a lucrative position after graduating while also offering valuable information and advice.
When you do begin working, your daily routine will involve interacting with new people within media houses, broadcasting units, organisations and the general public. There’s no telling who you’ll meet. These individuals will certainly be impactful and important in both your social and career life.
Make New Discoveries
Journalism is the perfect field for those who value lifelong learning. Each day will present you with something new to unravel. Not only that, but it’ll be your job to ask the ‘how’ and ‘why’ instead of just taking what you see for face value. This promotes curiosity, thus opening your mind and colouring your life in a way that other careers don’t.
It won’t be long before your knowledge and perspective of the world extends far beyond that which most people know or even assume to be possible. This has immense value in both your personal and career life. You’ll certainly be the most interesting member of any dinner party.
Learning Opportunities
Studying journalism today is unlike what it was in the past. To start, the internet has made it much easier to choose a suitable university. Thanks to websites like Uni Compare, you can choose a degree in journalism based on the best-ranked institutions that offer journalism courses in your area.
Each detail is listed so that you know exactly what to expect. Moreover, they provide information on open days, as well as guides and advice to further assist you in your decision. You also have the option of studying online, which gives you the opportunity to continue working on the side and avoid having to move away from home.
Escape the Office
If you don’t enjoy the idea of being confined to a cubicle, then journalism is once again the way to go. Whether you’re tasting wine in France for Eater or test-driving a Mercedes in the Alps for Top Gear, chances are that most of your time will be spent in an exciting environment. Depending on where you specialise, it could be something even more intense.
Many journalists make their way into active warzones and extreme environments to report on matters that otherwise go unseen by the rest of the world. Of course, you’re not constrained to this approach. Those who review laptops for PC Mag or write about the latest smartphones for GSMArena are often doing so from the comfort of home.
Career Options
As alluded to above, your options as a journalism graduate are virtually limitless. You’ll have an extensive horizon of opportunities and avenues to choose from. Perhaps you’ll end up making wildlife documentaries. Maybe you’ll attend and report on fashion shows around the world. You can just as well get into advertising or communication.
A journalism career can easily be tailored to your unique interests. If you prefer a stable lifestyle, then you can work in an office or from home. If travelling the world is a priority, then you can do that too. In any case, you’ll be able to write, film or talk about whatever it is that you love or feel passionate about.
Salary Prospects
What you make as a journalist can vary a great deal depending on where you specialise and how much time you’ve spent in that specific field. For some perspective, Glassdoor reports an average annual salary of £33,966 for journalists in the UK. This goes up to £60,000 on the higher end of the scale, but you can make more.
For instance, journalists with top positions at the Financial Times reportedly earn an annual salary of £76,000, while those working for The Telegraph are paid a handsome £101,000 per year.
This is excluding potential benefits such as those enjoyed by product reviewers. Journalists in the car industry, for example, are often given a new ride to test before receiving another from a different manufacturer. They effectively get to drive a new (and often expensive) vehicle every week without even paying for it.
As if these reasons weren’t enough, let’s not forget that journalism is a challenging, rewarding and satisfying field to work in. You’ll meet interesting people, become an expert in your community, get exposed to new ideas and feel a great sense of achievement in what you do.
It’s also a stable career, as the need for a human element in journalism will forever prevail. No robot will be stealing your job any time soon – that’s for sure.