Career Guidance in Mass Communication and Journalism

Source: Google

Becoming a journalist is no easy task. If you admire someone like Barkha Dutt, Rajdeep Sardesai or Pranay Roy, note it that it’s going to be a long journey ahead and you not only need experience but also the academic background for the same.

Journalism requires you to be a very outgoing personality, someone who can take risks and is also responsible, dare to speak without fear, spread the right messages, and also is very articulate. You need to polish many skills within yourself before you take that final jump of becoming a journalist.
It’s not an easy job profile but if it’s your dream, you can surely make it there.

5 things you need to do to become a journalist – 

#1. Get a Degree 

A degree in mass communication and journalism or media science is important to get entry easily in the world of media. These courses not only make you learn the theoretical aspects of the media but also the practical aspects and you get to learn hands-on that eventually add up to your experience.
An undergraduate or postgraduate degree in a media course hence is extremely necessary.

#2. Speak Your Thoughts with Conviction

Everyone’s not a good speaker but if you aim to become a journalist in the electronic media, speaking fluently on camera is a must!

You must learn the art of communication and express your thoughts without a pause. For this, you need personality development sessions. These sessions help you to gain confidence and talk without inhibitions. Some colleges of mass communication and journalism in Kolkata do provide personality development sessions as a part of the course.

#3. Gain Experience 

Gaining experience in the field is again as important as the degree. Only theoretical knowledge at the end of the day doesn’t help much.

A degree course in the subject opens up opportunities for internships for you. Good colleges of mass communication and journalism in Kolkata provide you with ample internship opportunities that enable you to learn faster.

If possible take up an internship in each field of print, electronic and digital media.

#4. Gain Skill of Writing 

A journalist is always expected to possess the skill of writing. Brush up your skills of writing before you are set to enter the field. Nevertheless, here also, the tenure of your degree course might help you to brush your skills in writing.

If you have a knack in photography, then you can also choose to become a photojournalist and work for leading newspapers. Here also, journalism courses help students to learn the art of photography.

#5. Work under Experienced Journalists 

If you end up as a trainee or an intern in a reputed media organization, make sure you use the best of it and learn under experienced journalists.

Learn to report, choose leads, decide headlines, write comprehensive articles and understand the importance of time in the business of news.

These learnings will eventually help you in becoming a credible journalist in the near future.