Career in journalism

Ranjan K Baruah *

Many students ask me about prospect of journalism and can they choose it as a career. There is no doubt that journalism is one of the best career option. But in recent years we have seen changes in this field. There has been a change in the field of journalism.

Technology has bought many changes and one must be equipped to be successful as journalists. Journalism is the production and distribution of reports on recent events.

The word journalism applies to the occupation, as well as citizen journalists using methods of gathering information and using literary techniques. Journalistic media include print, television, radio, digital media, etc.

In recent years the advent of the Internet and smart phones has brought significant changes to the media landscape.

This has created a shift in the consumption of print media channels, as people increasingly consume news through e-readers, smart phones, and other personal electronic devices, as opposed to the more traditional formats of newspapers, magazines, or television news channels. Mainly the rise of social media has drastically changed the nature of journalistic reporting,

It is challenging to advice someone to take up journalism as profession as there are many challenges when it comes to employment and earnings.

Students studying journalism in degree or in masters may get sustainable job or may have to struggle for a better job.

Mere academic qualification is not sufficient to be successful in this field. One must be very actives since young age like from the time of studying in college. Effective communication and networking skills is must to be successful as journalist.

One may take admission in graduation level courses of Journalism or one may choose during masters after finish graduation in any different stream.

Most of the leading universities in India offer courses related to Journalism. As a journalist one may work with newspapers, television channels, web portals, work as photo journalist or now a days one may also become citizen journalism for which one does not need much formal qualification or degree related to journalism.

Being journalist is not only limited to collecting news or presenting them for readers. One must learn press or other media laws and must learn ethics related to journalism. It is easy to be citizen journalist but to become a successful journalist it is advisable to take up courses related to Journaliam.

Few job profiles are reporters , correspondent , editor , assistant editor , executive editor , feature writer , columnist , broadcast reporters , video journalist , photo journalist , etc . Apart from BA or MA courses there are short term diploma courses and advance diploma courses related to journalism.

Apart from colleges or universities few media houses also provides diploma or advance diploma for aspirants who wants to become journalists.

As social media has already bought challenges so we must be skilled enough and well equipped to be successful as a journalist.

This is a profession which is well respected in the past but in recent years there are many controversies related to media houses and people working with them. There are good and bad things everywhere and it depends upon us what we do.

I would appeal students to take up the courses and work for the community and development of the nation by becoming a journalist.

Updates:

AICTE PG (GATE/GPAT) Scholarship 2019-20: All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) invites applications from GATE/GPAT qualified students for AICTE PG (GATE/GPAT) Scholarship 2019-20. The key objective of the scholarship is to ensure the development of technical education in India.

Eligible scholars will get a monthly stipend of INR 12,400 for their post-graduate studies.

The scholarship is provided and regulated by the All India Council for Technical Education, Ministry of Human Resource and Development. Aspirants may apply before 30th September.