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.

• 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

• Reporter
• Editor
• Writer
• News Anchor
• Announcer
• Film/Video Editor and Camera Operator
• Technical Writer
• Public Relations Specialist
• Grant Writer
• Advertising Manager
• Social Media Manager

Reporter

Reporters inform audiences about current events at the local, regional, national, and international level. Performing research, locating and interviewing sources, and presenting and analyzing their findings to audiences, reporters typically work for newspapers, television and radio stations, magazines, and websites. Reporters may work as freelancers or for a single media company.

Degree Level: Bachelor’s

Average Annual Salary: $42,000

Editor

Reporters and other journalists typically report to editors, who oversee content for a publication. Editors’ duties include planning, coordinating, developing, reviewing, and revising all types of written content, such as magazine features, news stories, and website articles. They may also help writers develop their ideas and evaluate submissions for publication potential.

Degree Level: Bachelor’s

Average Annual Salary: $59,480

Writer

Like reporters, writers create written content for various types of media. However, they may focus less on events immediately as they happen, instead looking at the bigger picture and exploring news stories as they develop over time. Like reporters, writers may find work either as freelancers or staff employees at media organizations.

Degree Level: Bachelor’s

Average Annual Salary: $62,170

News Anchor

News anchors present news stories to the public, typically with TV stations, radio stations, or websites. They read news stories live on the air and may may conduct interviews. Anchors also offer live commentary on current events, often reacting to breaking news as it occurs.

Degree Level: Bachelor’s

Average Annual Salary: $59,000

Announcer

Often working in radio and television broadcasting, announcers present news, music, and other topics on the air. They may take a less active role in analyzing or commenting on news stories, though many announcers do perform interviews and provide commentary. A position as an announcer often serves as a path toward more advanced positions, such as news anchors.

Degree Level: High school diploma or bachelor’s

Average Annual Salary: $31,990

Film/Video Editor and Camera Operator

These professionals focus on the visual side of reporting, working behind the camera to capture video footage and edit it as part of news stories. Often working on location and in office settings, these workers primarily find employment with TV news stations and websites.

Degree Level: Bachelor’s

Average Annual Salary: $58,990

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[tab-item title="Technical Writer"] Technical writers create manuals and other informative documents that make complex concepts more understandable for lay audiences. Commonly employed in information technology and scientific fields, they find work in areas that employ complex, specialized knowledge. Journalism majors can find success in technical writing careers due to their strong communication skills and understanding of audience needs.

Degree Level: Bachelor’s

Average Annual Salary: $71,850

Public Relations Specialist

PR specialists work to maintain a positive public image for companies, organizations, initiatives, and/or ideas. They typically organize PR strategies and develop media programs that attempt to shape public opinion and raise awareness. This field is well-suited for journalists due to its emphasis on communication, storytelling, and audience awareness.

Degree Level: Bachelor’s

Average Annual Salary: $60,000

Grant Writer

Typically working with nonprofit or government organizations, grant writers research and create grant applications to secure organizational funding. They may also take responsibility for ensuring that grant funds are distributed and used properly. Journalistic skills in written communication and narrative construction help grant writers better reach potential grant providers.

Degree Level: Bachelor’s or master’s

Average Annual Salary: $48,000

Advertising Manager

Often working for advertising agencies or directly for companies, advertising managers oversee an organization’s marketing and advertising strategies. They coordinate new ad campaigns, negotiate advertising contracts, and initiate marketing research. Journalism majors’ knack for creating engaging narratives that reach audiences may make them a natural fit for this career path.

Degree Level: Bachelor’s

Average Annual Salary: $132,620

Social Media Manager

These specialists supervise an organization’s various social media channels, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. They may communicate with customers, devise new social media promotions, and develop strategies to engage with audiences on social media. The job’s focus on reaching audiences and communicating effectively makes it suitable for journalism majors.

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.

Famous People Who Studied Journalism

Resource for Journalism Majors

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.