The duties of a journalist are to gather information, relate stories and broadcast news to inform people on various topics such as local, state, national and international events; the actions and life of well-known persons.
Journalists differ according to their duties. Newscasters present news, communicate with reporters and give explainations to video images and other transmissions. Weathercasters tell the public about the weatherforecast based on the report on the information received from satellites, weather services and weather bureaus. Sportscasters present sports news and events, interviews with sportsmen and describe the competitions that have taken place. Reporters gather news stories, take interview from people, investigate documents, and take photos of the events; then they arrange this material in order and prepare stories for print or broadcast. News correspondents report on current news that take place in the country or abroad.
Journalists should be physically and emotionally stable and be ready to work at tight deadlines, irregular hours and dangerous assignments. They should possess such important qualities as being persistent, initiative, poise, resourceful and have a good memory. They should be able to communicatite at any place withany person on any topic. Those journalists, who have on-air positions, should have a pleasant voice and attractive appearance.
The graduates of journalist colleges, who have a bachelor's degree in journalism or mass communications jobs, have more advantages in getting a job comparing with those, who have no degree. Those, who have worked in school newspapers or at school broadcasting stations or have finished internships, have more chances to receive a job. A degree received in a specialty such as economics, political science or business is good for getting a job too. There are over 400 colleges and universities offerring bachelor's degree programs in journalism. They provide training in courses in liberal arts, mass media, basic reporting, copyediting, and history of journalism, press law and ethics.
The duration of study at community and junior colleges is 4 years. Graduate programs prepare workers for news careers or for careers such as journalism teachers, researchers, theorists, advertising and public relations. Those, who study for a journalism career in high school, take such courses as English, journalism and social studies. It is effective for a journalism career to have liberal arts programs taken in English, sociology, political science, economics, history and psychology. 120 schools offered master's degree programs in journalism, and 35 offered a Ph.D. degree. Practical experience is almost equal to getting proper education. It is good to receive experience by having internships or part-time summer jobs.
The quantity of journalists engaged for newspapers, periodicals, books and directory publishers is about 60%. 25% is engaged in radio and television broadcasting. A small percentage is self-employed.
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