The Challenging Opportunities of Being a Journalist

“Journalism career is no less a vocation…”

Who says that being a Journalist means being jobless and money less? Well that person (who told you so) was really-so- wrong with his/her perception of Journalism.

The Journalism industry offers many challenging jobs or opportunities for highly trained and competent young men and women after finishing the journalism course. Some of them can work in the editorial, reportorial, business sections of the newspaper, as radio announcers, newscasters, and radio script writers in the broadcast industry, in the private sector as journal editor, press relations officer, copy writer, magazine writer, in news and wire services, government information writers or officers and in mass media organizations and political offices.

Those who have taken the course of Journalism or who have taken at least journalism subjects may work or may be employed in the different mass media networks, such as:

1.       In metropolitan or provincial newspaper either as reporter, copy reader, proof-reader, or section-editor-in-charge of any departments such as cultural, school, business, entertainment, sports, etc.

2.       In the magazines, English or Filipino, as reporter, copy reader, researcher, short-story writer or editor/literary editor.

3.       In business press, as public relations officer, public information officer, editor or staff writer of house publications, trade journalist, or promotions men.

4.       In Advertising, promotions and public relations officers as advertising men, copywriters, idea men of promotion projects, writers or editors of publicity material, etc.

5.       There is a big demand for radio and TV for scriptwriters, advertising copywriters, gag writers, jingles writers, researchers and other related jobs.

Also, there is online journalism that is in demand today. Many opportunities are waiting for competent and skilled graduates after graduating the course.  Don’t be stuck up by the thought of being jobless and tambay after finishing the four-year education in Journalism.

“Journalism career is no less a vocation. Therefore, one cannot or should not aspire to be a journalist unless he/she has a calling and can hurdle its high standards and is ready to assume its awesome responsibilities.” (Jaime Ramirez; 1989 p. 69)

Taken from Jaime Ramirez’s book “The Philippine Journalism Handbook” of 1989.