The Skills You Need for the Job
Depending on what type of media job you want, you'll need certain skill sets. Many of these skills you'll be able to develop and hone on the job. Still, here are some descriptions of the key skill sets you will be expected to bring to the table.
Reporting skills are important for a number of media jobs, especially for journalists. Knowing which questions to ask and how to ask them is essential, whether you're hunting down a hard news piece or doing a feature like a Q&A.
People who work in media, especially journalists, spend much of their time writing. While there are many facets to the kind of writing you'd be doing on-the-job, a reporter needs to be able to craft clear and concise stories. He also needs to be able to accurately report those stories. To get a better sense of what that would entail, check out this primer on news gathering and writing.
Photojournalism obviously requires know-how with a camera. Getting great shots -- dealing with lighting and getting things on the fly -- are just some of the basics. Here photo editors from
National Geographic, a magazine famous for its photography, dish on the sciences behind the pics and what makes some shots stand out.
At the end of the day people in this business tell stories. And every good story needs a good narrative. Understanding what narrative is, and how to deliver, takes some work and effort. This article, from Poynter Online, offers insights on narratives from people working in a few areas of media.
