Journalist / Reporter
Researches, verifies, and reports news and stories to the public.
A journalist researches, verifies, and writes or produces news stories, which can mean anything from covering a city council meeting to investigating a months-long story. A typical day includes making calls or conducting interviews, verifying facts and claims, and writing under deadline pressure, sometimes very tight (same-day) and sometimes longer (weeks for an investigative piece).
Accuracy and source verification are non-negotiable parts of the job; a reporter's credibility depends on getting facts right and being transparent about what is and isn't confirmed.
Core tasks
- ✓Researching and pitching story ideas
- ✓Conducting interviews and gathering information
- ✓Verifying facts and sources
- ✓Writing or producing stories under deadline
- ✓Following journalistic ethics and legal guidelines
- ✓Building relationships with sources over time
Tools & skills used
Typical entry paths
- →Journalism is the direct major
- →Communication Studies or English with journalism-focused internships and clips
Common misconceptions
- It's not just writing, most of a reporter's time goes to research, verification, and interviewing, not typing the final piece.
- The field spans very different day-to-day realities, from fast-paced daily news to long-form investigative work with months-long timelines.
Frequently asked questions
What does a Journalist / Reporter do?
Researches, verifies, and reports news and stories to the public.
What are the core tasks of a Journalist / Reporter?
Day to day, this typically includes: Researching and pitching story ideas; Conducting interviews and gathering information; Verifying facts and sources.
What tools or skills does a Journalist / Reporter use?
Common tools and skills for this role include Interviewing and source-building, Fact-checking and verification, Clear writing under deadline pressure, Understanding of media law and ethics.
How do people typically become a Journalist / Reporter?
Journalism is the direct major. Communication Studies or English with journalism-focused internships and clips.
What's a common misconception about being a Journalist / Reporter?
It's not just writing, most of a reporter's time goes to research, verification, and interviewing, not typing the final piece.
What college majors lead to becoming a Journalist / Reporter?
Majors that commonly lead here include Journalism, Communication Studies, English Literature. A major shapes what you study, it isn't a guarantee of landing this specific role.
Printed from majoratlas.com/careers/journalist