How to Become a Journalist

Do you dream of chasing down sources for a living? Spending your day crafting creative story ledes? Getting to the bottom of a hot topic?
A career in journalism could be for you. But how do you get started?

- First, determine whether journalism is the right fit for you. Set up meetings with working professionals in the industry and ask them about their jobs. What do they like about their work? What do they hate? If you can, shadow them for a half-day to get a better idea about what they do.

Use the Internet to answer any remaining questions. The Princeton Review's site, www.princetonreview.com, offers insight on many popular majors, including journalism. Also, look for journalism blogs at many popular blogging sites to get some more first-hand perspectives.

Finally, consider whether journalism is a good fit for your lifestyle. Long hours covering city council meetings might be something anyone with children - or an early bedtime habit - will want to avoid. Shy folks, ultimately, might not be comfortable grilling complete strangers. And starting journalists bring in a salary of about $30,000 a year - is that enough for you?

- If you're still interested in journalism after your preliminary research, it's time to get some training. Many local colleges and universities offer journalism degrees or certificates - a good directory to find a journalism school near you is www.journalism schools.com.

Research what programs the school has to offer - people interested in print journalism will need to find a school with a news-editorial program; broadcast enthusiasts will want to make sure the school offers broadcast training. If you're looking to write for a particular niche - like environmental reporting - look for schools that can offer opportunities in that particular field.

In addition to providing the proper training, a degree can go a long way in helping you secure a news-related job once you graduate.

- While you're in school or once you graduate, look for a journalism internship that will help you get your feet wet. Most internships will either pay in the form of scholarship money or a small stipend, and the experience can help you decide which area of the newsroom you're most interested in. Your school's career office can often help locate internships, or seek help from professional organizations, such as your state's press association.

- Once you feel you're ready for a full-time journalism job, it's time to start pounding the pavement for an entry-level position. If you interned at a local news outlet, ask your editors if there are any open permanent positions you could fill. Use job hunting web sites, such as www.monster.com and the journalism-specific site www.journalismjobs.com. You should also check in regularly with your state's press association and other professional organizations. Their local meetings are a great chance to network, and their web sites often have a job bank page where members can list open positions.

- Finally, remember that you might have to take a less-than-desirable job at first. Many new reporters have to work the night cops beat or work late on the copy desk. But most reporters find that it's easy to work their way up once they have their foot in the door. If you work hard and prove yourself, it's likely you'll be able to get the job you want once the position opens up.