Q&A for How to Be a Journalist

Persistence is key! The best reporters are the ones who stay at it and refuse to take "no" for an answer. They find a way to get the information they need so they can get their article done. Original research is another important element of a good journalist—calling someone up and getting fresh, firsthand information can make your article stand out. While you don't have to do this every time, a good journalist definitely shouldn't rely on secondary sources for all of their content.

Absolutely—it's a great career path! While it isn't as lucrative as some careers, it's a very interesting job to have, as things are always changing. For anybody who likes investigating, journalism is a fantastic career, since you're getting paid by someone to do something you're passionate about.

Practice writing as much as you can. Learn early how to do research and find good sources of information. Take any opportunity you can to get into journalistic work. Sign up for your school newspaper, take writing and journalism classes, and contact your local news stations to ask about kids' reporting programs.

Study current events, English and writing to succeed as a journalist.

The easiest way to figure out which type of journalist you want to be is to simply write about the different topics that interest you. You should become a journalist for the topic that you find the most interesting, and that comes the easiest to you.

The best way to be more open-minded is to talk to more people and really listen to their stories. If you do this, you'll find that most pre-conceived notions are incorrect.

Yes, but keep in mind that, depending on what type of phone you have and what sorts of apps you have on that phone, your writing may be limited. Your phone's camera also may not be as good as a regular camera. On the other hand, your phone will allow you to have everything you need in one space: note taking, photos, voice recording, and video recording.

Really focus on listening to the person talking, and remember that you are just talking to a regular person. There is no need to be nervous just because you are conducting an interview.

Yes, though many news outlets won't hire someone without a journalism degree. Get a copy of the AP Style Guide and become very familiar with it. Begin by creating a news-oriented blog, interviewing friends, family, and/or local figures. Working with smaller publications; if there are any free newspapers in your area, this is a great place to start. Once you've started to build your portfolio, check sites that list freelance reporting gigs and continue to gain experience. A great, well-rounded portfolio is an adequate substitute for a degree.

Being a happy journalist who loves their job depends on a few factors, most of which are rather easy to fix. If it's a matter of you are unhappy because you aren't writing what you want to write or because of those you work for and with, start searching for a new gig or create your own. If you are unhappy because you do not like to write, then perhaps you need to start searching for a new career.

Discount stores like Walmart and Target often have inexpensive cameras. You can also look for a used camera on eBay or at a local camera shop.

It can be. But if you love reading, meeting people, and writing with passion, it will be worth it. At times journalists have to work under immense pressure to meet deadlines. I love the challenge that comes within the territory.

Write a lot. Join your school's journalism club, if it has one. See if you can get a summer internship with a local newspaper. Read articles about journalistic writing and pour over each week's newspapers and online news.

Only if there is an area of journalism that suits your writing interests. It isn't all news. Journalists can write about sports, science, arts, etc., for newspapers or magazines or online publications. If you're more interested in some type of creative writing, it would make more sense to study English (or creative writing, if available as its own major). If you'd like to do more commercial type writing, such as writing advertisements or writing for businesses, you may want to study Communications.

Talk to your professors for recommendations before you graduate, submit stories to your favorite news outlets and network with other professionals to get the scoop on good jobs.

If you mean as a very young person, yes, you can. Start by writing stories on any subject of general interest, and pass copies around for feedback from friends and family.

Not generally. It's a very competitive field, especially since more and more newspapers and magazines are going out of business and there are fewer jobs in the field than there used to be. There will still be plenty of jobs available, though, especially at online publications. Just be prepared to apply for a lot of them and be rejected by most of them. It may be best to try for an internship first, which could eventually transition into a job or at least give you some experience that will look good on your resume.

You should obviously think about practicing your English and anything you might want to write about. Think about it as if you want to write about art or something do art.

You don't need a studio to do research or write articles! All you really need is a pencil, some paper, and the determination to do the necessary research.

You'll need to learn about spelling, grammar, sentence construction, how to write a paragraph, etc. And you'll need more than a beginner's level in these fields. There are classes that you can take that teach you this, and you can read what other journalists write, paying attention to how they construct their articles.

Not really, no. Though many journalist have a solid employment contract, and many others do well for themselves as a freelancer with many customers, this job is not considered as being the fast lane to become a millionaire. Expect to be able to meet your expenses and set some money aside each month, but don't expect to get rich. Unless you count job satisfaction as riches, then you're a millionaire already.

You need to have a firm grasp of spelling and grammar. An error-free text is the first prerequisite. You'll also need to know your native language rather well so you can wield it like a weapon, instead of it restraining you. After that, a good understanding of fields like history, sociology, psychology, economics and business will get you a long way. But understand that journalists are generalists; they know a good deal about just everything, or at least know how to research any subject, but they are only a specialist in the topic they're covering for as long as they are covering it.

Name, organization, question. In my case that would be, "De Backer, News One, Why did you fail to balance this year's budget?" The key is speed, so practice, practice, practice. If you hesitate, stumble, or mess up your words, you'll get skipped. At least, in the pit. If the setting is less hectic, you have more time. But the general format stays the same.

Through practice and experience. In general, only authors of works of fictions have enough time to write what they want, and even that's only true if they already made their fortunes. There will always be pressure from deadlines, budget restraints and a truckload of work. But after a while, you get a feel for two things: how to write well quickly, and how to accept that perhaps there is an even better way of phrasing this, but the one you choose will do. However, never count on the editor. Spelling, grammar, and sentence building must always be on point, no matter how little time you have.

First you have to get clear about what is new or special about your story. Why is it something others want to read? Think about your audience when writing. Be transparent with your sources and open with your angle on the story. And be clear if you are writing a fact-based article or providing your opinion. When you write a fact-based story, start with the newest or most important aspect, provide your sources, tell why it's important, and then provide the context and background information. If you write something more casual, like a feature, keep use of the arc of suspense. Imagine you are creating a movie and start with something surprising.

It can be done cheaply, but if you want to be a professional, you will probably need to pursue a degree in journalism, and that usually isn't cheap. But other than that, you'll just need a computer and (most likely) a car.

You have to start writing. Practice makes perfect. If you are still in school, ask your English teacher to guide you into better ways of writing an article. Another good way is to join a writing club where you'll meet people who may help you.