Online Degrees in Journalism
Have you always loved writing about things going on around you? Have you always had great comments and witty commentary on the world surrounding you? Were you the editor of your elementary school's newsletter? Then a career in the field of journalism may be calling to you. The field of journalism has changed greatly with the onset of the information age. Now, journalists are updating news sites on the Internet around the clock. With a degree in journalism, you can work for a newspaper, magazine, radio station, television/cable station, or a myriad of websites.
Journalism Job Outlook
The job outlook for journalism is full of competition, especially in large cities. Those with a degree in journalism will be best prepared to meet the competition for good positions, especially those who want to work for large newspapers or television stations. There may actually be a small decline in jobs available in the field of journalism between now and 2018, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, due to consolidations in large media houses, especially in the large newspaper and magazine industries. More and more audiences are finding their news online. Those with less job experience will find more opportunities for jobs in smaller markets like community newspapers, magazines, radio, and news stations.
Earnings Potential in Journalism
There is great variance in salaries in the field of journalism; much of this is due to the different markets between large metropolitan and national media avenues and more local smaller media markets. Much of the information and news media generated in our nation is funded largely by advertising and sponsorship budgets. Where those budgets are large, salaries for those in the journalism field will be larger.
In 2008, the average salaries for those in the journalism field, specializing in reporting and correspondence were between $25,000 and $52,000 per year. The lowest 10 percent of those employed in the field of journalism made about $20,000. The top ten percent of journalists made over $77,000 annually. This information was obtained from the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Those specifically employed in the newspaper industry made about $33,000 annually, and those employed in the radio and broadcasting side of journalism made about $37,000. Those employed as broadcast news analysts made on average over $51,000 annually.
Educational Opportunities in the Field of Journalism
Those with at least a bachelor's degree will be best prepared to enter the competitive and changing field of journalism. Many colleges and universities are offering excellent bachelor's degree and master's degree programs in the field of journalism. Many of the degree programs are also available online, so you can take your classes according to your own schedule and on your own time.
Career Outlook
Employment is expected to grow about average with other professions, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Competition will be high for writing and editing jobs as many people are attracted to this occupation, while, at the same time, many employers are downsizing. Employment of authors, writers, and editors is expected to grow 8%, the same as the average for all occupations, from 2008 to 2018.
Employment 2008 – 281,300
Employment 2018 – 303,300 (+22,000 jobs = 8% growth)
Employment in salaried writing and editing positions is expected to increase slightly as jobs become more available when the economy improves. Companies in a wide array of industries are using newer multimedia technologies and online media to reach more technology friendly consumers and to meet the growing demand for Web-based information.
Online publications and services are growing in number and sophistication, spurring the demand for authors, writers, and editors, especially those with Web or multimedia experience. Businesses and organizations are adding text messaging services to expanded newsletters and Web sites as a way of attracting new customers. Those companies hire writers or editors on either a salaried or freelance basis to contribute additional content. Some publishing companies however, especially those that rely on advertising revenues and sales receipts to support large staffs of writers, will employ fewer writers and editors.
Many experienced writers and editors will find work with nonprofit organizations and associations in their public relations offices, or in the public affairs departments of large companies or agencies. Others will find freelance work for newspaper, magazine, or journal publishers; and some will write and publish books.
Educational Requirements
A Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications or English is required. All journalism majors take courses in editing, reporting, feature writing, photojournalism and communications. Additional coursework is determined by focusing on print, digital, or broadcast journalism.
Students concentrating in online media learn software and web design skills, as well as how to combine text with graphics, photo and video media. Undergraduate students also benefit from professional internships with broadcast and print media outlets.
Accredited Colleges and Universities
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