The Job Description of a Political Correspondent
A political correspondent is a reporter that concentrates on political news. The job involves long hours and working different times of the day because of the ever changing political landscape. A lot of pressure is also placed on the political correspondent to meet deadlines and get unique stories.
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Education
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Most employers require political correspondents to have a bachelor's degree in journalism or a related field. Some correspondents have degrees in political science, government or law, but most every political correspondent has a four year college degree.
Experience
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Every employer wants to present the best possible news information--especially in the political arena. A political correspondent generally has five or more years experience as a field reporter as well as some experience reporting on political issues. Any experience reporting in the different state capitals or at the US Capitol building is a plus when finding a position as a political correspondent.
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Location
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Political correspondents work across the country and around the world. A political corresponded should have the willingness--and preferably desire--to travel since it is usually a required part of the job. One day a political correspondent may be in Washington D.C., and another day she can be attending a political conference in England. Political correspondents go where the political news is developing or happening.
Investigations
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Most political correspondents work on breaking political news stories, but some work on longer, in-depth investigative reports concerning political issues. These can be an investigation about a politician's background, corruption in politics, misuse of funds or any political story that requires fact checking and verification.
Elections
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Part of the duty of a political correspondent is to report on candidates seeking political office. Many times, news organizations assign a political correspondent to a specific candidate. The correspondent travels to every location that the candidate has on his or her schedule and then reports any significant moments or new developments as well as anything that may affect the voters.
Interviewing
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All political correspondents spend time interviewing people in politics, including candidates, senators, congressmen, governors and presidents. The correspondent can be an on-air personality and interview a politician by recording the questions and answers. A correspondent can also interview the politician and write an article for a newspaper, magazine or political website.
Salary
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The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that a political correspondent makes an average annual salary of $34,850 as of May 2008, but the salary range varies greatly depending on the employer. Part of the salary is reimbursement of travel costs and most employers give a travel allowance to their political correspondents.
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References
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