How to become a journalist

CONTENTS

1. What is journalism?

2. Routes to becoming a journalist

3. Skills you’ll need

4. Finding work experience

5. How to get a job as a journalist

6. What it's like to be a journalist

What is journalism?

Journalism is about finding stories that matter and telling them to the public. As a journalist, you investigate what's happening in the world – whether that's breaking news, uncovering scandals, or sharing people's experiences. You might write articles, produce videos, host podcasts, or create digital content. It's about asking tough questions, checking facts, and holding powerful people to account.

Journalists work across newspapers, TV, radio, websites, and social media. Specialist careers include:

• Photojournalism: using photographs to tell news stories and document real events, capturing moments of historic or social importance.
• Sports journalism: reporting on sports events, issues, and performers to inform and entertain sports audiences.
• Investigative journalism: reveals hidden truths, wrongdoing, or corruption. It often needs deep research over time and relies on evidence and verified sources.

A career in journalism requires curiosity, strong storytelling skills, and the ability to work under pressure. It's a challenging role but vital; journalism helps people understand their world and make informed decisions.

AI is having an impact on this industry, as it is in many others. As elsewhere, it also brings opportunities. As the sector changes, journalists will need to be flexible and adapt quickly to learn new skills. AI can quickly write basic news stories, but it also makes mistakes, so human journalists are still needed to verify and fact-check.

And journalists can use AI to their advantage, such as for analysing large amounts of data. Creativity, 'gut feeling', and emotional intelligence are still the domain of the journalist. AI cannot build trust or conduct sensitive interviews, nor can it make ethical judgements about what to publish. Journalists who can combine human judgement with technical skills will be best positioned for the future.

Watch this video from our sister site Whatuni for a quick overview of what it takes to become a journalist, and what it’s like to study for a journalism degree.

Routes to becoming a journalist

Skills you’ll need

As well as having a nose for a good story and interest in current affairs, you’ll need good people skills and an ability to unearth relevant information. Skills for journalism include:

• Strong communication skills (written and verbal).
• Speed and accuracy.
• Confidence (especially if in front of the camera).
• Ability to build and inspire trust.
• The ability to tell a good story – though good written English will help.
• Investigative and research skills.
• IT skills, including the use of AI to speed your research.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Attention to detail.
• Organisation.
• Able to understand complex issues and sum them up simply.
• Persistence and resilience.
• Flexibility.

Get to know how articles are structured. Then, practise writing stories with short, clear sentences and an active voice.

Finding work experience

If you want to become a journalist, you’ll need persistence and passion. It’s a highly competitive field and you’ll be up against others who are just as passionate about becoming a journalist as you are. Getting experience may help to give you an edge when entering a career in journalism. You could try:

• Volunteering at a magazine, hospital radio or local TV station.
• Creating a portfolio of your published work by entering competitions, submitting pitches etc.
• Seeking an internship or work experience at a media outlet and ask about shadowing opportunities.
• Finding a story and pitching it to a publication where it’s a good fit for their audience, including industry or hobbyist publications.
• Producing your own blog or vlog online.

For example, if you want to become a sports journalist, you could offer to cover a local team for free to get the experience and publication. Do your research and think of an angle that could help you stand out. And build your contacts at every opportunity.

According to the NCJT, 66% of new entrants to journalism had taken an internship or work experience before getting their first paid job. Most of these internships were unpaid.

How to get a job as a journalist

While a small number of recruitment agencies specialise in journalism, it’s a good idea to focus on the employers you’d like to work for be that newspaper, magazine or broadcaster. Many titles and networks are owned by large media groups such as Bauer Media, News UK (part of News Corp), Reach plc, DMGT, and Haymarket Media Group.

Graduate schemes are available from large media organisations; they are highly competitive. Many graduates start out by freelancing, building their contacts as they go.

You could also look for openings through JournalismUK and Hold the Front Page.

What it's like to be a journalist

As a journalist, you’ll often work to tight deadlines, creating engaging content that will appeal to your target audience. Depending on your role and specialisation, your tasks could include:

• Investigating a story as soon as it breaks.
• Following potential leads and developing new contacts.
• Interviewing people face-to-face and over the phone.
• Attending press conferences.
• Recording meetings and interviews using recording equipment or shorthand.
• Researching and coming up with ideas for stories and features.
• Writing articles that will appeal to your target audience.
• Sub-editing other reporters' articles for online and in print.
• Gathering and editing content produced by the target audience.

It’s common to work long and unsociable hours and shift work may be involved if you work in TV or radio. You’ll usually work as part of a team in an office or studio. Travel is often involved when researching and reporting on stories. It can also be emotionally demanding depending on the types of stories you work on.

Journalists working for larger media outlets will usually receive structured training to progress within the organisation. For those people working for smaller outlets, continued professional development courses run by the NCTJ, are well recognised in the industry. 

Journalist salary in the UK

The average salary for a journalist in the UK is just over £35,000 according to NCTJ research in 2024. Those aged 25 or less may start out on £21,000–£24,000 (the average reported in 2024), rising to £40,000 for established journalists mid-career. Some will earn more than £75,000.

In terms of sector, earnings are higher for broadcast journalism, followed by online or digital media and then print-based publications. Regional variations also apply.

Freelancing is likely to become even more common. However, the average income from self-employment is £27,700, nearly £10,000 less than for employed journalists, who are more likely to hold senior positions.

Is a role as a journalist right for you?

If you are motivated by telling stories that will be impactful to society and raise awareness of a diverse range of issues, a career in journalism could be for you. You’ll need to respond well to pressure and be dynamic as the industry adapts to a more digital ways of working.

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