Job Description for a Columnist
A columnist writes opinion pieces for newspapers, magazines or websites. Columnists provide analysis on general news, politics, business, sports and a wide array of other topics. Some columnists are known for biting commentary, while others use humor to get their point across. Others merely aim to inform and entertain without providing too much of an opinion one way or the other.
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Basics
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Columnists gather information from already-reported stories, occasionally written by themselves, and form an analysis based on the findings. Unlike straight reporters, columnists don't base their stories around quotes or what people have told them. Instead, columnists use their own voices to get their point across. For instance, a sports or political columnist may attend an event, then give his own take of what really happened. Some columnists approach their jobs with a "critical eye," meaning they write about items that they like about the topic but also items they don't like. Most columnists have reputations as experts on their topics.
Skills
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A columnist needs strong interviewing skills. She must be an accomplished researcher with good analytical and writing skills. A columnist who works for newspapers, magazines and websites also needs to have a firm grasp of the Associated Press Stylebook, which provides guidelines for reporting and writing. She also needs to be an adept typist and communicator, as well as motivated, organized and resilient. Moreover, most columnists need to be prepared to work long and odd hours that often involve evenings, weekends and holidays.
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Background
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No set requirements exist to become a columnist. Most newspapers and magazines prefer someone with a bachelor's degree in communications or journalism, but education isn't always as important as an ability to analyze topics and write well. The majority of newspaper and magazine columnists begin their careers as reporters before receiving a promotion into the role of someone who analyzes the news. Meanwhile, anyone who starts an opinion website or blog is a columnist---even a well-respected one if he proves over time to be an expert in his field.
Prospects
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The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that jobs for columnists will decrease slightly along with the rest of the journalism industry between 2008 and 2018. "Competition will continue to be keen for jobs on large metropolitan and national newspapers, broadcast stations and networks and magazines," the BLS reported, adding that prospects will likely be best at smaller publications, websites and magazines.
Earnings
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A columnist's wages vary greatly, largely depending on the size and scope of the publication for which they write. To give a general idea, news reporters earned a salary of anywhere from $20,000 to more than $74,000 in February 2010, according to PayScale.com. Columnist salaries typically fall into the same range.
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References
- Photo Credit writer on the tracks image by Trevor Goodwin from Fotolia.com
