Journalism is competitive, but the right skills, portfolio, and networking can help you stand out. Use this checklist as your step-by-step roadmap for building a strong career foundation.
1. Core Skills You Must Have
Strong news writing basics (clear, accurate, concise)
Headline writing that informs and attracts
Interviewing skills (preparation + follow-ups)
Fact-checking and verification habits
Basic media ethics understanding
Tip: Mastering fundamentals matters more than fancy tools.
2. Digital & Modern Journalism Skills
SEO basics for news articles
Social media reporting (X, LinkedIn, Instagram)
Basic data literacy (spreadsheets, charts)
Audio/video basics (mobile reporting is enough)
AI tools for research & transcription (used ethically)
Tip: Newsrooms now hire multi-skill journalists.
3. Tools Every Beginner Journalist Should Know
Google Docs & Drive
Grammarly (for clarity, not replacement)
Canva (visual storytelling)
Notion or Trello (story planning)
Google Alerts (beat tracking)
4. Experience That Actually Counts
Internship or newsroom exposure
Freelance articles (even unpaid at first)
Campus or community journalism
Personal blog or Medium portfolio
Published clips (quality > quantity)
Tip: Editors care more about published work than degrees.
5. Build a Simple Journalism Portfolio
One-page portfolio website
Short bio (who you are + what you cover)
3–5 best writing samples
Clear contact details
Updated regularly
6. Networking Without Feeling Awkward
Follow journalists in your field
Engage with their work thoughtfully
Attend online/offline media events
Send polite, short emails (not job begging)
Maintain professional LinkedIn profile
7. Job & Opportunity Hunting
Journalism job boards
Media company career pages
Fellowships & grants
Freelance pitching
Newsletter opportunities
Tip: Many journalism jobs are never publicly advertised.
8. Common Mistakes to Avoid
Waiting until you feel “ready”
Ignoring digital skills
Not building clips early
Chasing virality instead of quality
Giving up too early
Final Advice
Journalism is competitive — but consistent learning + published work wins over time. Small steps, done weekly, build real careers.
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