Colleges of all sizes operate print newspapers or news websites, both of which allow you to gain experience and build a professional portfolio.
Career Options for Journalism Majors
Journalist Careers & Salaries Potential

Journalism remains a popular career field for strong thinkers and communicators who are interested in current events. A journalism degree can also prepare you to work in other industries, such as public relations and advertising. A successful journalism career depends on building professional connections and a strong professional portfolio. This guide offers an overview of major career options in the field, along with strategies to increase your job prospects before you graduate from college.
How to Use Your Journalism Degree
Journalists call on an assortment of skills to research and report news stories, and journalism programs stress equivalently varied sets of competencies. Below, you can learn about skills journalism programs develop in students and how these apply to journalism careers and other fields of employment.
Learn More About Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Journalism
- Written Communication: A primary skill for journalists of all types, clear and concise written communication figures into newspaper stories, emails, and scripts for video and audio segments.
- Research: Research forms another key component of journalism, as journalists must identify and evaluate sources and then effectively incorporate them into news stories.
- Interviewing: Human sources play a major role in many forms of reporting, and journalists must learn to engage with interview subjects effectively, building trust and asking engaging questions.
- Storytelling: In addition to gathering information, journalists must also present content in a compelling manner for audiences. This skill applies to fields like advertising and public relations, as well.
- Critical Analysis: Evaluating sources, determining viewpoints, and synthesizing opposing perspectives all play a major role in journalism, and these skills also apply to most other professional fields.
- Technology Skills: Given that much of modern journalism occurs online, journalists need technical skills to convey their work effectively. Many programs now cover topics like social media and search engine optimization.
Career Paths and Salary Potential for Journalism Majors
You can pursue several careers with a journalism degree. These include traditional jobs, such as reporting or editing, and less traditional pathways, such as public relations or marketing. The tables below outline common journalism careers along with less traditional options that still utilize many key journalistic skills.
Traditional/Nontraditional Journalism Careers
Degree Level: Bachelor’s
Average Annual Salary: $42,000
Degree Level: Bachelor’s
Average Annual Salary: $59,480
Degree Level: Bachelor’s
Average Annual Salary: $62,170
Degree Level: Bachelor’s
Average Annual Salary: $59,000
Degree Level: High school diploma or bachelor’s
Average Annual Salary: $31,990
Degree Level: Bachelor’s
Average Annual Salary: $58,990
Degree Level: Bachelor’s
Average Annual Salary: $71,850
Degree Level: Bachelor’s
Average Annual Salary: $60,000
Degree Level: Bachelor’s or master’s
Average Annual Salary: $48,000
Degree Level: Bachelor’s
Average Annual Salary: $132,620
Degree Level: Bachelor’s
Average Annual Salary: $50,000
Ten Ways to Prepare for Your Career
Journalism is a competitive field, and it is never too early to start preparing for a job after graduation. Education plays a huge role in your future career, but you can take other steps during school to make yourself a more competitive candidate once you’re ready to enter the workforce.
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Write for Your School Newspaper
Colleges of all sizes operate print newspapers or news websites, both of which allow you to gain experience and build a professional portfolio.
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Intern
In an increasingly competitive job market, internships are a vital opportunity to build experience and connections that can serve you after graduation. Consider interning at newspapers, magazines, websites, and/or other media agencies.
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Consider Other Avenues for Publication
The more varied your portfolio, the better your chances of landing a job after graduation. To build a diverse body of work, consider freelancing for local newspapers, alt weeklies, or websites.
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Study Outside Your Major
If you have a specific area of interest that you hope to write about, such as technology or politics, consider pursuing a double major or a minor.
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Do Not Commit to One Style of Journalism
Lines between broadcast and print journalism have increasingly blurred. Popular newspapers and magazines often use video content, so it helps to be comfortable with all types of journalism.
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Build Professional Connections
Whether it is with your internship supervisor, professors, editors from freelance work, or classmates, the more connections you make, the better your chances of succeeding in the industry.
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Create a Personal Website
Even if you only have a few publications to your name, creating a website can help you build your brand and give you something to show potential employers.
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Establish a Social Media Presence
Along with a website, try to maintain an active social media presence where you share your work. Twitter is a particularly popular platform for journalists.
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Learn to Work in Multimedia
Many employers expect journalists to be able to insert photos into their stories or even edit video; it helps to have at least a basic understanding of multimedia tools.
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Use Your School's Career Resources
Every reputable school has a career center that can help you with your job search. Many schools also offer resume editing and interview coaching.
Famous People Who Studied Journalism
Christiane Amanpour
Before becoming a CNN host, Amanpour worked at Providence’s WBRU-FM and NBC-affiliate WJAR while working toward her bachelor’s in journalism.
News Anchor
Alma Mater: University of Rhode Island '83
Don Lemon
Lemon worked at New York’s WNYW during college, moving on to several local stations before landing a job at CNN in 2006.
News Anchor
Alma Mater: Brooklyn College '96
Michael Moore
Biography/job title goes here
Filmmaker
Alma Mater: University of Michigan-Flint
Natalie Morales-Rhodes
Morales double majored in journalism and Latin American studies, demonstrating the value that training outside of journalism can have for a reporter’s career.
News Anchor
Alma Mater: Rutgers University '94
Geraldine Brooks
A Pulitzer Prize-winning writer, Brooks used her experience as a foreign news correspondent to write novels like Nine Parts of Desireand People of the Book.
Novelist
Alma Mater: Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism '83
Resource for Journalism Majors
American Press Institute
- Dedicated to sustainability in journalism, API performs in-depth studies into how journalism best reaches audiences. The organization’s website publishes major findings along with a regular newsletter.
American Society of Journalists and Authors
- Connecting writers to jobs and other professional resources, ASJA also hosts conferences and workshops. Membership is open to writers who have published with recognized media sources.
Associated Collegiate Press
- A major national organization for college-level journalism education, ACP establishes education standards and works to support aspiring journalists by providing professional development activities, including training and conferences.
Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications
- Serving students, educators, and media professionals, AEJMC encourages new research and education initiatives. Members benefit from publications, trade conferences, and professional development opportunities.
Investigative Reporters & Editors
- A national nonprofit organization dedicated to investigative reporting, IRE provides members with a job center, training events, fellowship opportunities, awards, and trade publications.
National Association of Black Journalists
- Serving black journalists since 1975, NABJ offers scholarships, internships, professional conferences, awards, and job listings. Members also benefit from professional publications and regional programs.
National Federation of Press Women
- Primarily serving women in journalism and communication, NFPW supports professional development and press freedom for female journalists. The organization hosts conferences and offers educational and professional resources.
NLGJA, the Association of LGBTQ Journalists
- Supporting LGBTQ+ students, educators, and journalists since 1990, NLGJA hosts conferences and other events along with regional and student chapters across the country.
Society of Professional Journalists
- Founded in 1909, SPJ counts more than 6,000 journalists among its membership. The organization offers awards, legal defense, professional resources, and an annual journalism conference.
Radio Television Digital News Association
- Serving broadcast and digital journalists specifically, RTDNA provides advocacy, professional training, networking opportunities, and awards for members. The organization also offers career listings and other job search resources.
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