Jobs in the media are frequently attracted to creative people. Journalists, photographers, editors, anchors, and camera operators have the opportunity to communicate with the general public using their skills. Long hours, tight deadlines, and a fair amount of work-related stress are common in media jobs, but the opportunity to learn new things and meet interesting people makes these jobs well worth the effort.
Many people consider newspapers and magazines to be the primary employers in the media. Smaller publications, on the other hand, are frequently overlooked. Although not everyone who wants to work in the media can get a job at The New York Times or Redbook, there are plenty of opportunities at smaller regional publications that cover everything from parenting to home improvement to sports and entertainment. Full-time, part-time, and freelance positions are available.
Radio and television jobs in broadcast media include on-air talent as well as behind-the-scenes assistance. Because they attract a large number of applicants hoping to become “famous” for their work, these jobs are often even more competitive than print media jobs. Unpaid internships with local news organizations are typically seen as the best way to gain experience in this area of the media industry, with talented candidates working their way up to more prestigious positions over the course of several years. Oprah Winfrey, the media mogul, began her career reading copy for WVOL radio in Nashville, Tennessee, when she was 17 years old.
Digital media jobs are increasingly being viewed as the future of the communications field. Writing articles for a print publication’s website or preparing articles for an online-only news source are examples of these jobs. Digital media jobs can include creating graphics, printables, audio files, video, or interactive elements like games and quizzes, in addition to basic writing. Some digital media jobs even pay you to promote specific interests on social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter.
Media jobs require a variety of qualifications. Many employers prefer to hire people with degrees in English, communications, journalism, or a related field for entry-level positions. However, a number of people pursue jobs in the media after achieving success in other fields. If you have strong language skills and are willing to put in the effort to prove yourself, a lack of a specific subject area degree should not be a barrier.