What Can I Do With a Major In Journalism?

1. Academic & Advising Resources:

• Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication Advising: Assistance with course planning, major requirements, and career advice for journalism students.

• UGA Office of Student Success and Achievement: Tutoring, workshops, and study strategies to strengthen reporting, writing, and research skills.

• UGA Bulletin & Course Catalog: Listings of journalism-related classes, including investigative reporting, multimedia journalism, and ethics in media.

2. Student Organizations & Extracurriculars:

• The Red & Black: UGA’s independent student newspaper, offering hands-on experience in reporting, editing, and digital media.

• WUGA Radio: A campus-affiliated radio station providing opportunities for journalism students interested in broadcast media.

3. Career Development & Experiential Learning:

• UGA Career Center: Resume workshops, interview coaching, and journalism-specific career fairs.

• UGA Study Abroad & Global Engagement: International programs featuring journalism and global media studies.

• Experiential Learning & Industry Competitions: Build skills and resumes through student media (The Red & Black, WUGA Radio, Grady Newsource), journalism competitions (Hearst Journalism Awards, SPJ Mark of Excellence), internships with news outlets, digital publications, and broadcast stations, and study abroad programs focused on global reporting.

4. Communication & Networking Opportunities:

• Alumni & Industry Speaker Events: Guest lectures and panels featuring professional journalists, editors, and media executives.

• UGA Mentor Program: Connects journalism students with alumni working in newsrooms, digital media, and investigative reporting.

• UGA Writing & Reporting Coaching: Resources to refine writing, interviewing, and storytelling skills essential in journalism.

5. Campus Media & Digital Platforms:

• Grady College Digital Media Lab: Tools for digital journalism, multimedia storytelling, and investigative reporting.

• UGA Libraries Journalism & Media Resources: Archives, databases, and industry publications useful for journalism research and reporting.

Common Entry-Level Roles: Reporter, News Writer, Digital Content Producer, Multimedia Journalist, Social Media Editor, Broadcast Assistant, Fact-Checker, Data Journalist

Example Career Progression: Reporter → Senior Reporter → Editor → Managing Editor → News Director

Example Career Progression: Digital Producer → Senior Producer → Executive Producer

Today’s journalists need a blend of traditional and cutting-edge skills. Employers seek graduates who demonstrate:

• News Writing & Reporting

• Investigative Research & Fact-Checking

• Multimedia Storytelling (video, audio, interactive)

• Data Analysis & Visualization

• Digital & Social Media Fluency

• Ethics, Integrity, & Objectivity

• Adaptability & Deadline Management

The Future of Journalism: Journalism continues to evolve with advancements in digital media, AI-driven research, and audience engagement strategies. The ability to adapt, verify information, and tell impactful stories remains essential for the next generation of journalists. Key trends to monitor include AI and automation in newsrooms, data-driven and investigative journalism, audience engagement and solutions journalism, and the rise of podcasting and long-form digital storytelling.

Portfolio Requirement: A strong portfolio showcasing writing, multimedia projects, and published work is essential for most journalism roles.

Typical Starting Salaries: Entry-level journalism roles typically range from $40,000–$50,000, depending on location, medium, and employer.

1. Industry Career Outlook & Employment Trends:

• ONET Online: Provides detailed job descriptions, required skills, and employment projections for media-related careers.

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): Offers salary data and job growth trends for print, digital, and broadcast journalism.

2. Journalism & Media Industry Insights:

• Poynter Institute: Offers news, training, research, and professional development in journalism, covering trends, ethics, and industry best practices.

• Nieman Lab: Focuses on journalism innovation and trends, specifically the future of news and digital journalism.

• Columbia Journalism Review (CJR): Covers industry analysis, journalism ethics, and insightful commentary on media industries.

3. Digital & Investigative Journalism Tools:

• Google News Initiative: Provides training on digital verification, fact-checking, and media literacy.

• Datawrapper & Flourish: Tools for data visualization and storytelling.

• AP Stylebook: The essential guide for journalistic writing and editorial standards.

• Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE): Offers training in investigative journalism techniques.

• ProPublica: Independent journalism focused on accountability reporting.

• Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Ethics Code: Guidelines for ethical and responsible journalism.

4. Broadcast & Multimedia Journalism Resources:

• Reuters Journalism Training: Provides free courses on professional journalism techniques.

• Canva & Adobe Premiere Pro: Essential tools for multimedia content creation and video editing.

• Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas: Offers online courses on digital and mobile journalism trends.

• UGA Handshake: Internship and job postings exclusively for UGA students, including journalism-related roles.

• LinkedIn Jobs: A strong platform for finding journalism positions, networking, and researching news organizations.

• Glassdoor: Job postings, salary insights, and company reviews for journalism careers.

• JournalismJobs: A dedicated job board for journalism and media-related careers.

• Investigative Reporters & Editors (IRE) Job Center: Job board focused on investigative journalism roles.

• National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Career Center: Career center for Black journalists.

• Poynter Journalism Jobs: Listings for roles in reporting, editing, and investigative journalism.

• MediaBistro: Job postings focused on digital media, publishing, and journalism.

• The Associated Press Careers: Opportunities within AP’s global network of journalists.

• The New York Times Student Journalism Institute: Offers training and career guidance for aspiring journalists.

• Upwork: Freelance opportunities for journalists specializing in writing, investigative reporting, and multimedia storytelling.

• Fiverr: A platform for freelancers offering journalism services such as article writing, research, and editing.

1. National & International Journalism Associations:

• Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ): A leading journalism organization offering networking, training, and career resources.

• Investigative Reporters & Editors (IRE): A resource for investigative journalists, providing workshops and data journalism training.

• National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ): A professional group supporting diversity in journalism.

• National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ)

• Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA)

• Online News Association (ONA): A network for digital journalists, providing industry insights and conferences.

2. Student & Emerging Professional Resources:

• Pulitzer Center Campus Consortium: A network offering journalism fellowships and global reporting opportunities.

• Local Press Clubs & Regional Associations: Journalism organizations hosting networking events and professional development such as The Georgia Bulldog Press Club and Atlanta Press Club.

• Poynter Online Training

• SPJ Training Sessions

3. Networking & Professional Development:

• Journalism Conferences & Workshops: Events like ONA Conference, IRE workshops, and SPJ’s Excellence in Journalism Conference.

• UGA Mentor Program: A resource for UGA graduates working in journalism to mentor students.

• Newsroom Fellowships & Training Programs: Opportunities like The Washington Post’s Intern Program, Reuters Journalism Fellowship, and The New York Times Fellowship.

4. Scholarships, Fellowships, & Competitions

• Hearst Journalism Awards

• NABJ Scholarships

• SPJ Mark of Excellence Awards

• IRE Fellowships

• UGA Student Journalism Competition