What Kind of Work Experience Do You Need to Be a Reporter?
Reporters let you know the day's top events and news stories. Starting out, a reporter may keep an irregular work schedule in order to fulfill a deadline or follow a story, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. As a reporter gains experience, she may have more flexibility and say regarding her work schedule, travel preferences and the stories on which she works.
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Amateur Work Experience
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A good way to start as a reporter is to gain amateur experience while you are in high school or college with the school newspaper. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that you should try to take elective journalism and writing classes in high school. This type of experience will allow you to practice your interviewing skills, help you learn to look for news stories and begin to polish your writing skills. Working with a school newspaper will also educate you about the politics that can occur in the industry. Moreover, if your school does televised reports or interviews, you can gain valuable experience in front of the camera.
College Education
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The bureau recommends that your experience to become a reporter include earning a degree in journalism from a post-secondary institution recognized by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications. Some of the most important courses to take in college are those that focus on communication and writing. If you want to become a reporter who works for a news studio or radio station, take classes in broadcast journalism. On the other hand, if you want to work for a magazine or newspaper, you should take classes that will help you develop your writing skills in your preferred specialized area of reporting.
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Internships
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Practical experience is one of best ways to gain experience as a reporter. While in college or after graduation, look for an internship with a newspaper, broadcast news organization or magazine. Internships will provide you with hands-on experience in the industry that may carry less pressure as you learn the ropes of the trade.
Professional Work Experience
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After college, seek a part-time or entry-level job with a newspaper, magazine or broadcast news organization. The bureau says that working as a freelance writer and selling stories to newspapers and magazines can help you gain "advantageous" experience. In addition to print sources, you can also seek work with online news sources to gain work experience.
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