What is your dream job? For many of us, the answer is something along the lines of entrepreneur, publisher, or journalist. These are all wonderful dreams, but what does that really mean? Are you cut out to be an entrepreneur? Do you have the guts to publish a book? Do you have the eye for detail and love for words that a journalist requires?
Of course not. Not everyone is suited for all jobs, and sometimes our dreams of being a certain type of worker prevent us from seeking out jobs that we are actually suited for. After all, if you think you’re not cut out for a certain job, then perhaps you’re not. It’s always nice to have options, though, so instead of dreaming, let’s explore the various jobs that lie at the intersection of your passions and strengths.
A Journalist To The Core
Ever since the dawn of journalism, there has been a constant search for the “perfect” journalist. Someone who can craft the perfect scoop, report on the biggest stories, and bring those pesky politicians (and well-deserved) disgraces to light. Over the years, many different sets of qualifications and traits have come to define the perfect journalist. In the digital age, where anyone can publish a blog, it is more important than ever to define just what this perfect journalist looks like. Because if you want to be the best, you must be the best. And to be the best, you need to fit the perfect profile. Here are some of the most important attributes of a modern-day journalist:
Focused Problem Solver
To be the best, you must be able to focus intently on the matter at hand, without distractions or worries about anything else. For a journalist, this means obsessing over breaking news stories, getting the most reliable sources, and being first on the scene. If you’re worried about your mother’s birthday, you’re losing the game. Your attention to detail and ability to ignore distractions determine your success in this line of work, as does your desire to always do things right. Most importantly, being a good journalist requires having a strong sense of curiosity, always wanting to dive deeper and learn more about whatever it is you’re researching. If you want to keep up with the ever-changing world of technology, you must learn how to adapt and integrate new resources and tools to your workflow. Being a good journalist means learning how to be agile and effective in your use of technology.
Detail Oriented
In addition to being curious and a skilled problem solver, a good journalist must be detail oriented, constantly checking facts and figures to ensure that their stories are true and convey the right message to their audience. Because everything a journalist does is either directly or indirectly related to presenting facts and figures to the public, it is crucial that everything is done correctly and to the best of your ability. For instance, if you’re writing about the political landscape in the Middle East, you must do extensive research into the region and its various factions. One bad mistake and you could find yourself in serious trouble. As you might imagine, being a good journalist is a lot of work, and it requires a lot of discipline to succeed in this line of work. It’s also a profession that can be extremely demanding, mentally and physically. If you want to write about the exciting world of technology, you need to have the stamina to keep up with the latest news stories and technological developments day in and day out. A perfect journalist is one who can grind out a high quantity of content while maintaining a high level of accuracy and professionalism.
A Self-sufficient Independent
Finally, a good journalist must be able to function independently and autonomously. It is commonplace for journalists to go on expensive overseas trips, spend hours poring over online databases, and chase down interviews with the world’s best experts in their field. While this might not be the case for all journalists, those who can function in this manner will greatly outperform those who need constant supervision and guidance from higher-ups. An independent journalist can take on any story, and can do so unsupervised. The only limits are the limits of his or her own imagination and skill. To succeed in this line of work, you must have the ability to prioritize your own work and follow through on your commitments. If you want to write about the exciting world of graphic design, you need to have the ability to come up with ideas and the skill to see them brought to life through the use of various design tools. Ultimately, being a good journalist means being able to do your job well no matter what happens.
There are many different kinds of jobs that a person can do, and many different ways to go about doing them. We’ve discussed here some of the things that set a good journalist apart from the rest. Even if you don’t end up pursuing a career in journalism, this list will help you determine what kind of job you’re best suited for. And if you are thinking about a career in journalism, this list will help you decide what kind of worker you’ll be looking for.