What Are the Education Requirements for a Music Journalist?
Formal qualifications are not always a prerequisite for a career as a music journalist, but they can certainly make you a more attractive prospect to potential employers. If you have a demonstrable passion for music and can communicate this in your chosen medium, a solid and relevant education will definitely be more of a help than a hindrance.
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General Education
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Studying for a Bachelor’s degree in the journalistic discipline will provide you with a range of useful skills and prepare you for in a career in music journalism. An ability to write or broadcast, and an in-depth knowledge of the genre of music you plan to cover, while vital, will not be enough for some media organizations. If you have these skills, a solid grounding in the principles and theories of journalism will give you the edge. You’ll also have the option to diversify into other fields of writing if you decide music journalism isn't for you.
Specialist Education
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If you want to write for a specialist publication -- perhaps a guitar magazine or an opera periodical -- the ability to play a musical instrument and knowledge of music theory will make you stand out from other candidates. While being self-taught may be adequate for some publications or broadcast production companies, a degree specializing in the area of music you want to write about will make you a more attractive proposition.
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Experience and Portfolio
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Education is only half the story. Offer to review gigs and new releases for small online publications, your college newspaper or radio station while you're still studying. A well written portfolio of articles or a professional reel that showcases your skills can really catch the eye of editors looking to recruit new staff. If you can afford to, and have the time, approach potential employers to ask about the possibility of doing an internship.
Passion and Knowledge
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It may sound obvious, but you won't get employed as a music journalist if you don't know anything about music. Immerse yourself in the genre of music you’d like to cover. Go to gigs and nightclubs, network, listen to new releases, read blogs and make sure you've got your finger on the pulse of every new development. Sign up for industry newsletters and consume the work of established music journalists voraciously.
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References
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