5 Great Jobs for Those with a Journalism Degree

Digital Content Creator
Copywriter
Science Writer
Communications Manager
Editor

With traditional newspapers on the decline, jobs for someone with a journalism degree are changing. While reporting jobs might be few and far between, there are still plenty of ways to use the degree. The skills students learn in journalism school — including research, writing, working with sources, and storytelling — transfer easily to a wide range of other careers.

Digital Content Creator

The internet is filled with millions of websites, each in need of content. That means that there are plenty of journalism degree jobs online. Graduates can write stories for the online editions of major news publications or start their own blog. The options don’t stop there — it’s also possible to get a job writing articles for websites of major brands, big corporations, non-profit organizations, special interest groups, and more. The best part? There’s a significant amount of flexibility; journalism grads can opt for a traditional staff writer job, or they can start their own online publications.

Copywriter

Copywriters write content that’s designed for advertising or promotional purposes. They write everything from the that appear in online advertisements to the scripts for video commercials. Copywriters might also write sales pages, website content, billboards, marketing emails, and product descriptions, among others. To be successful at this job, a journalism major must be able to write concise, compelling text that convinces people to take an action, such as buying a product, signing up for a mailing list, or donating money. Great copy can help a company sell more, which means that great copywriters are always in demand.

Science Writer

Scientists and other technical experts often need to communicate complex topics to lay audiences. That’s where science writers come in. These writers know how to get up to speed quickly and distill that information in a way that’s easy to understand for audiences of varying knowledge levels. A science writer might write for a scientific journal, a university research publication, or a research organization’s website. They might also create research proposals and write grants. According to the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing, science writers often need to conduct traditional research, interviewing, and reporting for news releases, books, and feature publications; that’s why it’s one of the best journalism degree careers.

Communications Manager

For people looking for jobs in journalism that are less writing-intensive, a communications manager position is a good option. This person usually manages all of communications activities for a company or an organization. They might write press releases, manage social media, and come up with the messaging for different campaigns. Depending on the size of the business, the communications manager might work as part of the marketing department. Since this person coordinates with a wide range of people, it’s ideal for candidates with strong people skills.

Editor

Editors help guide the content that a print or digital publication creates. They often work with writers to source content; then, they work with the text to make sure that it’s relevant to the publication’s readers. Editors might make or request revisions that improve the writing and ensure that it sticks to the brand’s style guide. On a broader scale, editors might plan out themes for different issues, create an editorial calendar, and find stories to fit into that plan. They’re also responsible for keeping up with trends and capitalizing on them in the way that benefits the publication.

Conclusion

After completing journalism school, graduates come out with advanced reporting and writing skills. Those abilities are useful in a wide range of industries and companies, which means that there are plenty of jobs for people with a journalism degree.

Related Resources: