We know basic newsgathering and newswriting skills are essential, but what new skills have you begun to look for in budding journalists? Whether technical, personal, or general…
What (new) skills do you look for in a journalist?
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4 Comments
ICOD network final report includes some answers to your question: Digital communication: Professional skills and academic challenges
Cheers
jc
Hi Paul,
I’m in a position that has involved mentoring new journalists and the most urgent skill as far as I am concerned is that they have excellent people skills – that they can relate well to people, to win their trust so that they can tell their story. Empathy and good humour go a long, long way!
all best
Linda, shouldn’t they have that skill to start with? That’s basic stuff.
I was recently in contact with a few editors about my module choices at Uni. I was concerned that if I did my dissertation in Film & Media rather than my other subject, Journalism (joint honours btw) it would reflect poorly on any application for a writers job at a magazine.
I was reassured that it would not matter, some of them and their team don’t have a background in University Journalism at all.
The point they all seemed to make was that I would need to show my knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject I would be writing about in the mag.
They would rather see enthusiasm and attention to detail. They also recommended getting as much work experience as possible, as this was a powerful thing to have on a CV.