If you’re looking for a career that combines your passions for words and news, then studying journalism or creative writing can open up a world of opportunities. You’ll work with top-notch editors who appreciate your fresh perspective and are willing to take a chance on an unknown writer. You’ll be able to develop your professional skills and gain real-life experience while doing what you love.
The following article will explore some of the major career opportunities available to you once you complete your journalism degree. You’ll also learn about the benefits of a creative writing degree so you can start your own writing business or pursue your passion for literature. Don’t worry – you’re not going to have to choose just one career path. There’s plenty of room in the journalism and creative writing world for multiple careers. In fact, as an aspiring journalist, you might even have the option to specialize in a certain field before you even start looking for full-time employment.
Sports Journalist
If you’re a fan of sports, then you can put your talents to use as a journalist covering sports events, teams, and athletes. You may specialize in a certain sport like football, baseball, or basketball and get the opportunity to cover the national leagues as well as the smaller, local teams. If you’re lucky, you might even get the opportunity to cover the Olympics or World Cup once you graduate.
The best part of this career path is that many large media companies actually have sports departments that are looking for freelance writers. Additionally, many magazines and newspapers now assign their own writers to cover specific sporting events like the NFL, MLB, and NBA. What’s more is many publications will actually give you editorial column space after your sports story – giving you the opportunity to become a “Sports Columnist” (writer for a football, baseball, or basketball publication).
General News Journalist
If you’re a fan of news, current affairs, and politics, then you can put your talent to use as a journalist specializing in these subjects. You may get the opportunity to work for a wire service such as Reuters or U.S. News while you’re in college. Alternatively, many large media companies have their own in-house newsrooms that are looking for reporters to cover breaking news stories. What’s more is many publications will give you editorial column space – allowing you to become a “General News Journalist” (writer for a newspaper, magazine, or online news website).
The best part of this career path is you get to write about what you love most – which could be anything from world events to celebrity news or politics. You won’t be restricted to one topic like sportswriters are. What’s more is many general news publications will give you the opportunity to follow a certain theme for an entire year and get the story covered in as many mediums and platforms as possible. Essentially, if you can write well and can keep your attention to detail – this is a pretty ideal journalistic path for you.
Film And TV Journalist
If you’re a movie buff and love to write, then you can put your talents to use as a film and television journalist. You might get the opportunity to work for a television station or magazine while you’re in college, specializing in features, news, and sports. Once you graduate you can look for a job at a large media firm or move into a full-time role at a smaller company. What’s more is many of these roles are seen as stepping stones to bigger things – potentially leading to a career at a television network or in Hollywood. What’s more is many TV shows and films now require their own writers, so if you can write well enough, there’s a decent chance you’ll land a job.
The downside to this career path is that you’ll need to be able to juggle your time between writing for films and television shows and pitching articles for magazines and newspapers. Additionally, many publications require you to write “featurettes” (short, informative articles), which can become very dry and dull. There’s also a lot of competition for a limited number of journalism jobs, making it difficult for you to break into the field. Finally, if you want to be a film or television journalist, then you’ll need to be able to juggle your time between writing and pitching story ideas – which can be time-consuming.
Criminal Justice Journalist
If you’re a fan of true crime and police procedurals, then you can put your talents to use as a criminal justice journalist. What’s more is many large media companies have their own in-house investigative units that are looking for reporters to cover stories such as crime, fraud, and corruption. Additionally, many magazines and newspapers now assign their own reporters to cover these stories. What’s more is many publications will give you editorial column space – allowing you to become a “Criminal Justice Journalist” (writer for a magazine, newspaper, or online news website).
The best part of this career path is that you get to write about stories that you find fascinating – like crime and fraud. Additionally, you get to follow a certain theme for an entire year and get the story covered in as many mediums and platforms as possible. Essentially, if you can write well and can keep your attention to detail, this is a pretty ideal journalistic path for you.
The downside to this career path is that you’ll need to be able to juggle your time between writing for magazines and newspapers and pitching articles for television shows, as many large media companies have policies prohibiting employees from writing for the media that their company publishes in. Additionally, many publications require you to write “featurettes” (short, informative articles), which can become very dry and dull. Finally, if you want to be a criminal justice journalist, then you’ll need to be able to juggle your time between writing and pitching story ideas – which can be time-consuming.
Mental Health Journalist
If you’re a fan of mental health issues and the stigma that often surrounds them, then you can put your talents to use as a mental health journalist. You may get the opportunity to work for a magazine or newspaper while you’re in college, specializing in features, news, and sports. Once you graduate you can look for a job at a large media firm or move into a full-time role at a smaller company. What’s more is many of these roles are seen as stepping stones to bigger things – potentially leading to a career at a television network or in Hollywood. What’s more is many mental health publications now require you to write “featurettes” (short, informative articles), which can become very dry and dull. Finally, many mental health issues are seen as taboo subjects and can be difficult to write about – especially if you want to avoid being labeled as “soft” or “sick.””
The best part of this career path is you get to write about what you love most – which could be anything from world events to celebrity news or politics. You won’t be restricted to one topic like sportswriters are. Additionally, many mental health magazines and newspapers will give you the opportunity to follow a certain theme for an entire year – and get the story covered in as many mediums and platforms as possible. Essentially, if you can write well and can keep your attention to detail – this is a pretty ideal journalistic path for you.
The downside to this career path is you’ll need to be able to juggle your time between writing for films and television shows and pitching articles for magazines and newspapers. Additionally, many publications require you to write “featurettes” (short, informative articles), which can become very dry and dull. Finally, many mental health issues are seen as taboo subjects and can be difficult to write about – especially if you want to avoid being labeled as “soft” or “sick.””
Travel Journalist
If you’re a fan of traveling and adventure – then you can put your talents to use as a travel journalist. What’s more is many large media companies have their own in-house travel departments that are looking for reporters to cover travel stories. Additionally, many magazines and newspapers now assign their own reporters to travel all over the world and cover breaking news and features while on the road. What’s more is many publications will give you editorial column space – allowing you to become a “Travel Journalist” (writer for a travel magazine or website).
The best part of this career path is you get to write about what you love most – which could be anything from world events to celebrity news or politics. You won’t be restricted to one topic like sportswriters are. What’s more is many travel publications will give you the opportunity to follow a certain theme for an entire year – and get the story covered in as many mediums and platforms as possible. Essentially, if you can write well and can keep your attention to detail – this is a pretty ideal journalistic path for you.