News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists
Also called Anchor, News Anchor, News Reporter, or Reporter
What News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists do
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists narrate or write news stories, reviews, or commentary for print, broadcast, or other communications media such as newspapers, magazines, radio, or television. May collect and analyze information through interview, investigation, or observation.
Who tends to enjoy it
Creative
People who like making things, design, writing, music, and self-expression.
Curious
People who like figuring things out, research, science, and solving problems.
Leading
People who like persuading, selling, starting things, and taking charge.
What you'd actually do
- Report news stories for publication or broadcast, describing the background and details of events.
- Gather information and develop perspectives about news subjects through research, interviews, observation, and experience.
- Research a story's background information to provide complete and accurate information.
- Arrange interviews with people who can provide information about a story.
- Establish and maintain relationships with individuals who are credible sources of information.
- Investigate breaking news developments, such as disasters, crimes, or human-interest stories.
- Select material most pertinent to presentation, and organize this material into appropriate formats.
- Report on specialized fields such as medicine, green technology, environmental issues, science, politics, sports, arts, consumer affairs, business, religion, crime, or education.
A typical day involves
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Active Learning
What you'll need to know
- English Language
- Communications and Media
- Computers and Electronics
- Telecommunications
- Customer and Personal Service
Where to study for this
College programs that commonly lead to this career, and how many US colleges offer each.
- Communication 438 colleges
- Journalism 460 colleges
- Mass Communication / Media Studies 386 colleges
- Radio and Television 206 colleges
- Sports Communication 98 colleges
- Journalism, Other 58 colleges
- Broadcast Journalism 82 colleges
- Agricultural Communication / Journalism 27 colleges
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database (USDOL/ETA), occupation 27-3023.00, used under CC BY 4.0 and modified by Whittle. Program links: NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. How we build these pages.