Can you become a journalist without a journalism degree?

Yes, of course. Most journalists I've met did not have degrees in journalism, but rather liberal arts or english. If you're interested in getting a job in journalism I can help you do that in just a few easy steps.

First select which vertical--or topic area--you would like to work in. Second, figure out what the top publications are in that vertical, as well as who the major bloggers and podcasters are. Make a long list, get their contact info, twitter accounts, etc.Third read every thing you can about that space for a month--like everything.

Fourth start a blog on that subject, or better yet a subsection of that topic. So, if you love cars start a blog about hybrids or a specific car company. Something really niche that you can do better than anyone else.

Fifth, blog every day about that subject for three to six months, frequently referencing and commenting on other journalists and bloggers by name. Talk about THEIR work and THEIR opinions--not your own. Cover your future colleagues.

If you follow this plan and do it well you'll probably get offers to work for one of the publications if you're good, and if you're bad you'll probably get a LOT better in a short amount of time. Do NOT expect to get hired without a bunch of real clips. This is the way to get real clips.

I've hired well over 750 bloggers/journalists in the past 10 years and 95% of them I hired based on clips.

To piggy back on Jason's answer, the best thing to do if you want to become a writer is write. Write, write, write, write, write. Try to get as much feedback as you can on the writing--and when I say "feedback" I mean "have someone tell you what sucks about it."

Once you learn what you are doing wrong, you can start figuring out how to improve. Of course, having someone criticize your writing is painful--I compare it to digging your eyes out with a spoon and then pouring salted lemon juice into the wounds. If you can survive that, you just might make it.

Without exception, the journalists I've spoken with advise that you NOT get a journalism degree, opting instead for a major with some intellectual weight to it: history, English, political science, math--anything really, as long as it has some practical value in the world. (By that, I don't mean to eliminate subjects like philosophy, which has LOTS of practical value. ) Anyhow, as a former journalist myself, I advise the following: Take a few courses in reporting.

Write for the college paper, making sure you get good assignments. You will then have the educational background and the experience necessary to get started. I aced out all kinds of journalism majors for my first job.

Why? Because I had a great clip file from a really good college paper. The publisher who hired me could have no doubt that I was a good writer and reporter.

Good luck!

Absolutely yes. However a journalism degree gives the aspiring journalist both the foundation of the art as well as the credentials to get hired at the most respected news providers. (As Jason mentions, other degrees such as Liberal Arts are also fine qualifications and in a sense may produce a higher degree of objectivity).

There are many "bloggers" who are de-facto (and often de jure) journalists and journalistic history is rife with stories of the copy boy becoming a journalist of repute through to Pulitzer prizes. Ernest Hemingway is a famous example of a high school graduate who became both a notable, journalist, writer and Pulitzer prize winner (the prize was not in journalism, however).

Seen from an outsider’s perspective, the situation might seem a little desperate: an elitist, dog eat dog profession, inaccessible without the right connections. Yet the fact is that 90% of journalists don't even have a degree in Journalism. The profession is thus more accessible than it would appear…Is there a chance to make your dream reality?

Only if you have the patience of a saint and nerves of steel. 1) Possess some basic skills You will be required to write impeccable English (except for jobs in TV and radio obviously) and to have a basic sense of management. Most of the time, you work alone.

The joys, the stress, the independence (even editing) are all yours alone. You have to be bursting with ideas, have an active imagination, organisation skills and, crucially, useful contacts in all lines of work. Nothing less than superhuman basically!2) Possess some specific skills Journalist colledges consist of a majority of teacher’s children, from the middle class, wealthy and exceptionally unexceptional.

The profession is really lacking knowledge in: finance, economics, science, administration, industry, etc. Not very glamorous? Granted, but in geopolitics or literature, you are up against those already over-qualified for the profession. Instead, take the different paths: it is among these that you will find a job.

3) Start little or local (or online! ) For a while, without connections, you’ll have to accept anything. Your local council’s paper or that of the company around the corner… anything to build up your CV.

You might think you risk burying yourself in this type of work forever, but soon you will find yourself at the same events as regional journalists, or even national: then it’s time to build your network!4) Or, start with a blog You’re a hip hop or theatre fan…like thousands of other journalists. You’re just going to have to be better than them, ultra-special, imaginative, unbeatable. Or have an exceptional writing style.

To make yourself stand out, a blog can work really well. But it means you have to have a decent job in the meantime…so reserve this strategy for your true passion!5) Build up a network Address books are obviously the key. The more journalist friends you have, the quicker you will hear about good plans, especially when one of them is promoted to the top!

But don’t go thinking that the mileu is armoured with people who are motivated just by ambition: journalists can be nice and love to go out for a few too many drinks. Don’t forget to return the favour when you can!6) Looking for a job You will undoubtedly have the chance to occupy the less popular jobs: editorial secretary, community manager, image seeker for unknown magazines…All these are good to take. Anything that will help you to get a foot in the door; start by photocopying for a paper and you may just end up writing for it.

7) Become a freelance writer The beginning of a path of wonders. But not the end. Even on a channel like France 3, you’ve got to have several years experience before being given a permanent status.

Goodbye holidays, welcome to the jungle. Welcome also to a world where you don’t need to wake up in the mornings or rest on the weekends! You will earn something similar to an author’s income.

The minimum wage for a freelance writer is around £50 per sheet (1500 characters). You will be asked at least ten times, mostly on the internet. It’s up to you to manage the workload.

8) Knowing your rights Think about joining a union to will help you with this. Take note that commissioned work is - to the work relations boards, it’s for your employer to prove that he hasn’t asked anything of you. The law is on your side, know that!

People cannot get away with treating you however they like just because you’re a freelance writer.9) Becoming a freelance writer for the long term It’s not unusual to still be a freelance writer at 75. That’s the joy of the job. Generally, you work with a regular pool of employers who will ask you again and again to collaborate with them, until that sacred day when you suggest they hire you.

To be at the top of the freelance writers, you should always return your articles on time (most colleagues tend to hand things over days or even weeks late) and behave politely (but don’t suck up). Having ideas is also useful.10) Signing your contract Picking up a pen and crying over the ten, twenty, thirty years of insecurity, you have left behind you. Not too soon, eh?

Thanks to this contract, you will at last be able to stop squatting on your aunt’s sofa. You will become an adult. And don’t forget to marry another journalist in order to pay homage to the formidable profession endogamy.

That is important.

To be a journalist in most cases a prospective employer will be looking for a university degree, followed by experience at a newspaper or magazine (it depends but usually 2 years is what's required). It is also a good idea to take the subjects geography, social studies and English at secondary school. Typically, you should have at least bachelor's degree preferably in journalism.

A bachelor's degree in most areas can require between 124 to 128 college credits particular to a specific program of study. This would be based on a college or university that operates on a regular two semester academic year which is the most common. For institutions that operate on a tri-semester or quarter-semester it would be quite different.

That being said, the Bachelor's degree - in most cases - is designed as a four year program of study, provided the student is full-time and follows their chosen program of study as prescribed by the college or university, and also provided the individual does not require prerequisite or developmental coursework as a result of basic skills testing. The minimum credit load for a full-time student is no less than 12 credits per semester. However, to complete the degree within the four years, a credit load of approximately 15 to 18 credits is recommended.

For individuals who work or who have other responsibilities that would prohibit them from attending full-time, completion of the degree may take twice as long. Still, some of this time can be cut down by attending summer sessions and/or interim sessions. In addition, the bachelors and associate degrees are referred to as undergraduate degrees while the Masters and Doctorate degrees referred to as graduate degrees.

Journalism Course jaipur.

Yes, try creating a blog where you can voice out your thoughts and opinions. Through this, you can have your own reputation as a journalist but be sure to adhere to the code of ethics when writing your own article.

You could try blogging. That doesn't take a degree. Then once you build a reputation, traditional media might take you on as a journalist.

Experience is probably more important than an official journalism degree. A liberal arts degree is valuable in giving you perspective on a wide variety of topics, but not essential. For traditional print journalism careers, you can usually start by contacting your local newspaper--they are always looking for writers to cover local stories.

After developing a portfolio, you can apply for a salaried position.

Sure--you jujst have to prove yourself- start small---develop your own blog--intern at the local community paper... it is unlikely that you will be hired at the wall street journal right off--but you can work your way up- start in the mailroom if you need to.

If you are thinking about any form of written journalism, you are going to need writing samples. To help you get started, I would suggest writing for Associated Content or similar websites.

Experience, skills and love for writing these are pretty important characteristic that a journalist must posses.

Well you most certainly can become a journalist regardless of your bachelors degree. Infact you can become a specialist journalist or a niche freelancer,submitting special reports that are in relation to yor undergraduate degree. The one I stumbled upon after my Bs in computing is the writers bureau of journalism.

They are based in Manchester in the U. K,They have all the required accreditation from the relevant authorities there. You pursue the course through correspondence ,and they send you all the relevant material ,books,CD ROM's,Audio Tapes and more.

For The duration of your course you are assigned an expert tutor who guides you with real life scenarios,and to cap it all they give you a 15 day trial and a full refund guarantee if you are not successful. Check it out, I sincerely hope I was helpful.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.