What does it take to be a Journalist?

It has been a busy but exhilarating week for the journalists' in training at Highbury College. 

For myself, I’m in my element. I positively seek everything we have yet to learn, and the pivotal experience that will mould us into what is by far the best career you could choose (all be it - this is only my opinion). For the next ten months the team will love, hate, argue, cry and laugh with each other as we work towards an NCTJ diploma in journalism at The News in Portsmouth. The picture below is the team I’ll be training with; the chemistry so far seems positive - with four of the them aspiring to be sport reporters. This week I am concisely writing on the prime areas' I feel it requires to be a journalist. 

Attitude:

I firmly believe our attitude towards whatever we do is important. I have alway’s stated that if you approach something positively, you’ll receive great things. However if you look at an area pessimistically, the outcome is unlikely to be great. With the job, it’s about remaining optimistic in everything you do. Undoubtedly there will be times journalists have to report on unwelcome situations, but it’s a competitive industry thus you need to be positive that you can be the best. 

One thing that shouts out to me regarding journalism is devotion. Being a journalist isn’t a career, but a lifestyle. Consistently remain on the look out for new stories to report on, check out literally anything and everything. I believe that drive, determination and devotion would really make you glow in an editor’s eyes. You could argue that having too much devotion can be unrealistic, but if you really want to make a break in the industry, I don’t see what’s stopping you.

Having a high work ethic is serious stuff. If your work ethic is really low and you struggle to raise it regarding journalism, I don’t think it’s the right avenue for you. Remember that journalism isn’t a job for routine and repetition. You never know what will be placed in front of you once you hit that newsroom. Be ready to report on anything. One day you could interview someone celebrating their 100th birthday. The next, you may be breaking news of a murder.

Determination: 

Competitiveness is impossible to avoid. Whatever medium you work for, whether that is newspaper, TV, radio or online, you should aim to be the first one to publish that news. Be determined to be the best. Furthermore, be persistent in what you do; push to interview people, find new angles to existing stories, build relationship with your readers’. 

Being a trainee journalist is an opportunity to show people what you can give. Throw all you strengths at the job and really work to improve what you'd like to be better at. 

Curiosity: 

I believe that having an endless curiosity in the world around you is a great sign in showing that you aspire to be a journalist. If you find that you're questioning yourself on what is happening around you, wishing to have answers, then you’re on the right track. Don’t be a reserved journalist that sits at the back of the press conference trying to get the interviewee’s attention. Be that journalist that is abrupt, challenging and fixated on that particular area you’re reporting on. Fundamentally, do it well.