Journalism Career : Admission & Scope

Journalism

In today’s era of communication and technology, people want to be aware and it is the role of the mass media to spread information about every relevant happening in the world. Newspapers, radio, television and more recently the internet are various means of spreading information and journalists have a very significant role to play in this practice. Politics, economics, art, culture, history, business, sports, entertainment and many other areas are covered by journalists. If you are talented and hard-working, a career in journalism will endow you with a good salary and perhaps even fame. With the growing importance of the media today, the opportunities in this field are numerous and the job is also very demanding and exhilarating at the same time. 

• Career Options 

Journalism is broadly divided into two categories - Print and Electronic. Journalism in the print media consists of newspapers, journals, magazines, digests and news agencies. On the other hand, journalism through the electronic medium consists of television, radio and the internet. The career options in these fields vary.

• Print Journalism

o Newspapers: The spread of literacy and modern printing technology assure that newspapers continue to shape opinions in the ‘global’ village of today. The career options available in this area are as follows:

o Associate Editor: As an associate editor, you would direct the preparation of a section of the newspaper or magazine. Preparation of news, featured articles and critical reviews will be your job. You will also have to plan the layout and assign reporters and photographers. To be an assistant editor, you must be aware and have the ability to write, edit and question constructively.

o Sub-editor: Sorting the contents of the material to be printed, rewriting articles to ensure that they fit into theassigned space, improving the language and giving appropriate and attractive headlines will be your job as a sub-editor. Imagination, understanding and sense of news are imperative for this job.

o Editor: Editor is the key head who ensures consistency and continuity of the newspaper or magazine. Your job as an editor would be to present the newspaper in an attractive manner and assure that it is highly utilitarian. Also appointing your juniors, writing the editorial section and leading the team will be your responsibility.

o Proof Reader: Proof Reader compares proofs with the edited copy. Your job as a proof reader would involve completing the final text accurately. For this job you must have detailed knowledge of grammar, spelling and punctuation.

o Reporter: As the key operator of a newspaper, magazine, news agency, radio or television channel, your job will be to report with speed, clarity and accuracy. The sense to recognize a story and objectivity will be vital in ensuring that you act as the primary source of news.

o Correspondent/Special reporter: To be a reporter for a special purpose, you must have detailed knowledge in a single field like politics, economics, sports etc. You must have the ability to interpret and explain the news on the basis of your awareness.

o Writer: As a writer your job would involve choosing subjects and themes, conducting researches and assembling the material to write.

o Feature writer: Writing detailed stories and commentaries on specific topics is the job of a feature writer.

o Leader writer: These writers express their ideas and views on news topics through editorial columns.

o Columnist: As a columnist, you would be writing for a specific segment in the newspaper or magazine. Your column would project your view concerning any topic that you know about like fashion, politics or films.

o Critic: In order to be a critic, you will have to be well-read and experienced. Be it film, drama, literature or art, you must have comprehensive knowledge in the subject.

o Photojournalist: Photojournalists are visual reporters who click photographs at events that makes news. In order to be a photojournalist, you must be quick and willing to work in difficult conditions. You should also be capable of clicking relevant and good news pictures, write appropriate captions and be aware of the technical aspects of photography.

o Cartoonist: If you are artistic and humorous, then a career as a cartoonist will be suitable for you. Your job would involve commenting on public figures and events in a comical or satirical manner through your sketches.

• Electronic Journalism

In today’s fast-paced world, our modes of access to news are not limited to newspapers alone. The television and the internet ensures that you get comprehensive details of all that is happening in the world with tremendous speed and accuracy. This area has a lot to offer when it comes to career options.

o Researchers: Researchers do all the research work for the channel or the site. To be a researcher, you must be inventive, inquisitive and imaginative.

o Production Workers: Good organizational skills and the ability to work independently are necessary for this job. Confidence to deal with crisis situations and sensitivity too are requirements.

o Floor Managers: In order to be floor managers, you must have good communication skills and leadership qualities to guide and instruct others.

o Transmission Executives: To be a transmission executive, you must have knowledge of the art of public relations. Good levels of concentration and dedication are also necessary.

o Reporters: To be the primary source of news, you must have good communication skills and the ability to search and elaborate on all that is important.

o Sound technicians: Creativity and communication skills are important for this job. A sense of sound effects and technical knowledge are also essential.

o Camera workers: Artistic sense and technical knowledge are vital for this job. The ability to work in difficult and depressing circumstances and adaptability too are necessary.

o Presenters: Good communication skills, skilled command over speech, diction and language, general knowledge and intelligence and the ability to be articulate and composed in stressful conditions are vital for this job. A presenter must also have a control over words and a good quality of expression.

• Web Journalism 

The Internet is a global electronic community of millions of interconnected computer networks. The internet is fast emerging into an influential medium. Online journalism promises updated news content at no cost. The web journalist has to make the news sharp and interesting. Editing and presentation is the most important function because web users tend to scan the pages and not read them completely.

Attractive captions are necessary and key facts have to be mentioned. Hence in order to become a web journalist you have to be aware and capable of writing precisely and concisely.

• Personal Attributes

If you are looking for a career in journalism, you must have a presentable and confident personality. The ability to write and present accurately and concisely is necessary. An inquisitive mind, good writing and communication skills, the ability to differentiate between fact and fiction and tact too are essential. Intelligence, awareness, and interest in current affairs are also necessary requirements. Most importantly, you must exercise high tolerance and be capable of working in difficult conditions if necessary.

• Salaries

You can expect to start off with a salary of Rs. 3500-Rs. 5000 as a trainee. As a reporter, you can expect to make Rs. 6500 - Rs.10 500. Editors draw a salary of Rs. 7500 - Rs. 12 000. Perks like housing and traveling that add up to a bulky amount are also provided.

• Where to study?

You can do a course in journalism right after you pass your senior secondary examination [10+2]. You also have the choice of doing a professional degree after the completion of your undergraduate course in any subject. A background in humanities is usually preferred.

Courses are offered in English, Hindi and regional languages.

Degree Courses

o University of Calcutta, Senate House, 87 College Street, Calcutta 700073 

- B.A. with Journalism 

- M.A. in Journalism

o Rabindra Bharati University, 6/4 Dwarkanath Tagore Lane, Calcutta 700007 

- M.A. in Mass Communication

o Ravi Shankar University, Raipur 492010 

- Bachelor in Journalism

o Benaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005 

- B.A. in Journalism 

- M.A in Journalism

o Kashi Vidyapeeth, Varanasi 221002 

- Bachelor in Journalism 

- M.A. Journalism and Mass Communication

o Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra 132119 

- M.A. Journalism

o Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi 110025 

- M.A. in Mass Communication

o University of Delhi, Delhi 110 007 

- Bachelor of Journalism 

- Bachelor in Journalism and Mass Communication in Hindi

o Pune University, Ganeshkhind, Pune 411007 

- Bachelor of Journalism 

- Diploma in Journalism 

- Master of Communication Studies (MCMs)

o University of Mumbai M.G. Road, Fort, Mumbai 400032 

- B.A. with Mass Media Communication as a component group subject 

- B.A. in script writing and Diploma in Journalism & Mass Communication

- B.A. in Journalism (BJ) 

- MCJ

o Chennai University, Centenary Building, Chepauk, Chennai 600005 

Contact For - Career Counselling 

Sector-J, C-109 Aliganj 

Lucknow. Contact Info- 9452463690,  9369160546 ,  9415370790,  8081123465

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