What a journalist really does
You find out what really happened, get people to tell you, and publish it accurately before the deadline.
FieldCreative and media
Preparation (O*NET Job Zone)Considerable preparation needed
What the work involves
What fills a typical week for journalists, built from O*NET occupation data.
- Chasing leads and tips and pitching story ideas to your editor
- Calling and emailing sources and setting up interviews
- Digging through public records, meeting minutes and data for facts
- Going out to events, scenes or meetings to observe and record
- Sorting your notes to find the facts that matter and writing the story fast
- Revising with your editor to fit length, style and deadline
- Answering readers and sources who call or write about your stories
What the days are like
What people in the job know
- Accuracy is almost everything. Nearly all reporters rate it extremely important. Importance of being exact or accurate: 89% extremely important (O*NET Work Context)
- You live on the phone. Most days you are calling people and convincing them to talk. Telephone conversations: 76% every day; Arrange interviews with people who can inform a story: importance 92 (O*NET)
- Deadlines hit every day. Time pressure: 75% every day (O*NET Work Context)
- Rude or angry people come with the job, often weekly. Dealing with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous people: 29% once a week or more (O*NET Work Context)
- You get a lot of freedom in what you chase, and long weeks are common. Determine tasks, priorities and goals: 71% a lot of freedom; Duration of typical work week: more than 40 hours 46% (O*NET Work Context)
How people get into it
Most reporters have a bachelor's degree (84% of new hires per O*NET survey), often in journalism or communications, plus clips from student media and internships. Many start at small local outlets and move up. Job Zone 4 means several years of experience is typical for larger newsrooms.
The Firstday trial, easy to hard
Three simulated tasks with AI coworkers who message you, react to your work and coach with questions. Nobody scores you.
What the trial can't show: The trial cannot show going out to a scene, standing in the weather at a fire or protest, or shooting your own photos and video in the field. It cannot show building trust with sources over months or years, and interviews are with AI characters, not real people with real stakes. Broadcast work like anchoring and on air reporting is not covered.
Reading about it is one thing.
Find out how the work feels to you before you spend on a degree, course or job change. Your first trial is free.
Other careers you can try
Job details on this page are built from O*NET OnLine, 27-3023.00. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.