Journalist
Comprehensive Sites
Bureau of Labor Statistics: News Analysts, Reporters, and CorrespondentsYou can learn about the nature of the work associated with news reporting and journalism, as well as earnings potential and the job outlook for different types of employees in this field. The latest national, state, and local earnings information can be accessed from separate links at the page.
CareerOneStop: WriterThe comprehensive occupational portal for a writer can be viewed from the links at the center of this page, which will take you to a video on becoming a writer, national salary data, and education and training of a writer.
Princeton Review: JournalistRegister and log in to this page to find out about a day in the life of a journalist at the Princeton Review’s career site, where you can learn what you can expect in two, five, and after 10 years of employment. Links at the left side also connect you to information on salary potential, employers, and majors to select in college if you are interested in becoming a journalist, graduate programs available, and internships.
Occupational Titles
Journalist
Broadcast Journalist
Correspondent
Journalist Reporter
Marketing Writer
Reporter
Accredited Academic Programs
Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass CommunicationFor a list of schools with accredited programs in journalism and mass communications, go to this page, and click on the accredited programs link.
Princeton Review: Journalist, College MajorsSince journalists can study across a variety of undergraduate programs and be successful, you may want to look at the list of potential majors here. After selecting what interests you, click on “Schools Offering the Major” at the left of the page, to be taken to a comprehensive list of colleges nationwide. Complete a quick registration process to have access to all this information.
Salary Levels
Indeed.com: Journalist SalariesThe average salaries for journalist nationwide can be seen at this page, as well varied average salaries of jobs with related titles.
PayScale: JournalistPayscale’s site for journalists provides a basic chart for the median salary by years of experience. You can change the chart by entering a job with a similar job title, and view low, typical, and high salary expectancies. Additional charts further down the page address median salary by employer type and city of employment.
Professional Organizations
American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThis organization helps professional journalists advance their writing careers, whether experienced or just starting out as a writer. Members share information very candidly on their current rates, their contracts, editors, and agents. Check out all this site has to offer, including a newsletter, as well as exclusive access to job leads, a professional press card, and many other financial benefits and discounts that can be useful to you as a journalist and writer.
National Conference of WritersThis organization is composed of members who are newspaper, radio, television station, magazine, and internet contributors. Interesting departments include jobs, awards and contests, a newsletter, and online discussion group. A student membership is available for a low price and is open to college students enrolled in journalism or related programs where an interest in opinion writing is demonstrated.
National Writers’ UnionThe rights and economic interests of writers are protected by this union, which is a trade union for freelance writers, web content writers, and poets. You may be interested in learning about the organization’s job hotline, local chapter information, and legal information on writing as a freelancer, including copyright and contract advice that you may need to be familiar with before starting your career.
Society of Professional JournalistsWith the goals of protecting and improving the profession, this organization offers a job bank, freelance directory, updated news and blogs.
The Newspapers’ GuildA union for the information age, this organization provides news of the newspaper business and tools for advancing the economic interest and working conditions for journalists. Jump to a section of the site with the tool at the top right hand corner, and you can connect immediately to guild information, salary information, and contracts.
Job Opportunity Sources
FreelanceWritingSeveral freelance job banks are available from this set of Internet links, including freelance portfolio sites, a gateway to copywriting jobs, scriptwriting, online writing, and various other well-known databases. Simply click on your selection to be taken to the specific writing job portal.
Indeed.com: Journalist JobsAll journalist jobs available through Indeed.com can be viewed from these pages, where you can connect directly to a variety of nationwide job databases and individual private employer web sites to apply online for positions in journalism
Publications
American Journalism ReviewAll news sources, including newspapers, magazines, television networks, radio, newswires, and media companies, are addressed in this publication. Those with a passion for journalism will find commentary from columnists, reporters’ tools, the current and archived issues, and behind the scenes stories on how the media reacts to current events.
Broadcasting & CableDepartments, people, blogs, videos, podcasts, and people supplement the current issue of this online version of the magazine. You’ll find industry events, tips for the journalist, information on journalistic careers, local TV, programming, and syndication information all in one space.
Columbia Journalism ReviewAccess the magazine link, and you will see several cover stories, essays, features, and other departments of this publication, which encourages and stimulates excellence in the field of journalism. Covering newspapers, magazines, and the press in all other forms, this watchdog and friend of the press advocates for high journalistic standards worldwide. Interesting tools let you see what major media companies own, a business audit, and a campaign desk.
The New York TimesThe preeminent source for news around the U.S. and the world, the New York Times is widely read by journalists. Its online version of today’s paper offers front paper headlines, national reports editorials, sports, business, and opinion, as well as sections for art, travel, and style. You can search the news video channels, or find the most popular news by topic.
Online Forums & Blogs
American Society of Journalists and Authors: BlogsClick on the blog sites at this location, and you will be taken to personal blogs from the members of an important organization for writers.
Society of Professional Journalists: BlogsThe blogs at this site include the Garden Center, where local chapters grow, Journalism and the World, the Independent Journalist, and blogs addressing freedom of information and ethics in communication. You can also access a large collection of discussion boards at the right side of this page—from general discussions to First Amendment discourse.
Writer Magazine: ForumsThe forums of Writer Magazine are found here and available without membership. You can sound off about editors and the publishing process, or enter rooms and talk about the ethics of writing, freelancing as a business, grammar, and writing as a newsperson. A “Writers Information Booth” is a very active forum that will give you the opportunity to look at posts to boost your career, such as tips on structure, style, and ideas behind writing.
Career Videos
Building a Career as a JournalistListen to one person’s dream about becoming a journalist, as she encourages others to have their own voice heard.
CareerOneStop: Writers and Author VideoThe video at his page can be viewed by clicking on your selection for media player, after which you can learn about writing jobs across industries, as well as the most important qualifications you need to have a rewarding profession as a writer.
