By,
\nDr. Pinak Pani Basumatary,
\nAssistant Professor,
\nSatyam School of Journalism & Mass Communication<\/p>\n
Are you looking for a career in Journalism? As we all know that Journalists
\nplay vital role in informing people about important events, deliver news,
\ninformation dissemination bringing focus on issues which impact our lives.
\nIt happens through attending press conferences, taking interviews,
\ncollecting relevant information, conducting research and making them into
\nstories which audiences find engaging and informative.<\/p>\n
Journalism in India is viewed as dynamic and inspiring field that attracts
\nindividuals passionate about storytelling and truth-seeking either through
\nwriting, filming, or interviewing. Journalism offers platforms to share
\nimportant stories that matter, brings focus on issues that deserve
\nattention, and raises awareness that leads to positive change. The rise in
\ndigital media has witnessed the evolving and changing role of the
\njournalists marked by increasing packages and compensation. But one
\nmust also realize that it\u2019s not just smooth sailing, one also needs to be
\nresilient, adaptable, and constantly willing to learn and grow in this field.
\nJournalism involves passion, curiosity and commitment to accuracy and
\ntruth.<\/p>\n
There are various specializations in Journalism covering multiple areas
\nranging from sports, politics, business, entertainment, technology,
\nmedicine, education etc. From the above, one can safely infer that
\nJournalism offers plenty of opportunities to explore various fields.
\nPerforming functions like analysis of current events, story-telling at local,
\nregional, national and international level.<\/p>\n
1. Lay the Foundation: Earn Your Educational Degree
\nFirst and foremost, one must keep in mind that Bachelor\u2019s degree is
\nminimum level of educational qualification required in most of the News
\nMedia organisations. A degree is most preferred, so many media aspirants
\ngo on to acquire Bachelor\u2019s degree in Journalism. One of the best ways of
\nentering into the field of Journalism is by gaining a formal or a
\nprofessional degree in case one lacks prior work experience or
\nengagement in this field. While earning a Bachelors or Master\u2019s degree in
\nJournalism or a related field, students will acquire the necessary
\nknowledge, expertise, skills which lays strong foundation for building a
\nsuccessful career in Journalism. Various courses are being offered have
\nbeen designed to teach and train the fundamentals of reporting, media
\nethics, legal aspects, research and specialized subjects like investigative
\ntechniques, multimedia reporting, critical writing and interviewing skills
\netc. One also learns about the different mediums for modern journalism,
\nincluding print, electronic and digital media.<\/p>\n
Consequently, one also gets the opportunity to get involved in college
\nnewspaper, newsletter, magazine, radio and TV studios, Audio Visual Labs
\nand seek internships at local papers, media production houses and
\nbroadcast studios securing industry relationships early, more importantly
\nit equips the students with the latest technological skills and best
\npractices of the industry. Thus, colleges and institutes of Journalism and
\nMass Communication act as a catalyst for budding journalists and media
\npersons by developing their hard and soft skills and moulding them into
\nprofessional journalists.<\/p>\n
The other benefit of enrolling in a degree course of Journalism and Mass
\nCommunication is that if one is unsure of which area to pick for
\nspecialization, he\/she will get safe opportunity to learn and get exposed
\nto test their skills in different roles and responsibility, gaining familiarity
\nand experience in the process through the coursework based on both
\ntheory and practical which makes them realise their inner potential. One
\nmust also keep in mind that even before entering any professional work,
\nit is essential for any media aspirant who wants to be journalists to be
\nprepared to educate oneself through experiential learning because it acts
\nas a learning period that sharpens and enriches one\u2019s journalistic abilities.<\/p>\n
2. Unleash Your Voice: Create Compelling Blogs
\nIn these days and in the age of digital media and technology, one can also
\nclimb the Journalism ladder by exploring the world of blogging through
\none\u2019s own independent creative writing and by posting contents, stories,
\nnews, views that attract viewers and audience hungry for fresh content
\nsearching for unique ideas, stories which appeal to their interest. When
\nthey come across such articles, write-ups, opinion pieces and read them
\nthey feel updated and contended. Be it sports, fashion, food, literature,
\nsociety, travelling, gender, politics or empowerment the list is endless. In
\nthis manner, the blog creator achieves independence, liberty and creative
\ncontrol. If one is able to attract and cultivate followers, they can also start
\nreceiving monetary benefits literally giving them visibility and recognition.
\nBut what it also primarily does is that it provides training and opportunity
\nto practice and improve skills which prepare them for future roles that one
\nintends to seeks as a practicing Journalist.<\/p>\n
3. Craft Your Identity: Organize Online Portfolios
\nIn the current digital world, it is very crucial to have an online presence
\nand therefore creating online portfolio is important for journalists. This will
\nrepresent your unique style and publications to the world. So, every
\nJournalist, experienced or new who wants to gain recognition or attention,
\nneeds to build an online portfolio to constantly grow, as it applauds his or
\nher area of expertise, kind of stories one is interested in creating and
\nundertaking. That\u2019s why selecting the best work that represents versatility
\nand range in the form of write-ups, articles, contents and videos is vital.
\nChoose the best and latest platforms to highlight your work. Create your
\nwebsite which is mobile-friendly, easy to navigate, accessible and update
\nyour portfolio regularly, promote yourself through social media and
\nthrough other online portals.<\/p>\n
4. Seize Opportunities: Internships and Resumes
\nInternships are useful methods to seek opportunity and gain experience in
\nreal media environment or settings, usually interns get exposure by
\nengaging with professionals which is valuable when seeking entry level
\nwork in a media organization. News and media organisations mostly look
\nto hire those media aspirants who have knowledge that is practical,
\napplicable and can be utilized to address real world problems and issues.
\nResumes are often important tools of submitting information to an
\norganisation for being spotted and consequently hired. These resumes
\ncontain information and details of educational background, work
\nexperience and sample of work which fulfils their job requirements and
\nmost importantly highlights achievements, body of work like writing
\nsamples which exhibit the area one is interested to work in.<\/p>\n
5. Embrace Freedom: Freelancing
\nIn recent years freelance journalism has transformed the media landscape
\nleading to diversity, flexibility and more opportunities to work as a
\nfreelance journalist simultaneously looking for a permanent position in a
\nmedia organisation. Freelancing has created opportunities for the
\njournalists across the globe with enormous prospects to work on one\u2019s
\nown terms and conditions.
\nThis makes it easier for a freelance journalist to balance work and handle
\ndifferent projects at the same time gaining experience. This allows one to
\ndevelop an independent idea, work on it, develop and pitch it to a media
\norganisation. Freelance Journalist can also contribute to different
\npublications, news websites and media organisations. Allowing one to
\nshowcase versatility and range as a journalist, offering to cover wide
\nrange of topic reaching a wider audience base.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By, Dr. Pinak Pani Basumatary, Assistant Professor, Satyam School of Journalism & Mass Communication Are you looking for a career in Journalism? As we all know that Journalists play vital role in informing people about important events, deliver news, information dissemination bringing focus on issues which impact our lives. It happens through attending press conferences, taking interviews, collecting relevant information, conducting research and making them into stories which audiences find engaging and informative. Journalism in India is viewed as dynamic and inspiring field that attracts individuals passionate about storytelling and truth-seeking either through writing, filming, or interviewing. Journalism offers platforms to share important stories that matter, brings focus on issues that deserve attention, and raises awareness that leads to positive change. The rise in digital media has witnessed the evolving and changing role of the journalists marked by increasing packages and compensation. But one must also realize that it\u2019s not just smooth sailing, one also needs to be resilient, adaptable, and constantly willing to learn and grow in this field. Journalism involves passion, curiosity and commitment to accuracy and truth. There are various specializations in Journalism covering multiple areas ranging from sports, politics, business, entertainment, technology, medicine, education etc. From the above, one can safely infer that Journalism offers plenty of opportunities to explore various fields. Performing functions like analysis of current events, story-telling at local, regional, national and international level. 1. Lay the Foundation: Earn Your Educational Degree First and foremost, one must keep in mind that Bachelor\u2019s degree is minimum level of educational qualification required in most of the News Media organisations. A degree is most preferred, so many media aspirants go on to acquire Bachelor\u2019s degree in Journalism. One of the best ways of entering into the field of Journalism is by gaining a formal or a…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":149,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-148","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-faculty","headline-blog"],"yoast_head":"\n