What to expect from a career as a Journalist
More and more people are proactively chasing the news to stay informed of local and global information, which means there has never been a better time to be a reporter. With the advent of blogging and the general public turning to the Internet for information, the need for professional journalists is increasing. Journalism programs at Ontario colleges equip students to report through a variety of mediums so they can be on the cutting edge of the news industry.
If you’ve got a passion for telling stories and staying on top of current events, and you want to start your career as a reporter, here’s what you need to know.
Journalism Courses
The focus of journalism programs is to equip students with the skills that every professional in the industry must have, namely interviewing, researching, material gathering and reporting for a number of different audiences and mediums. These skills will then be applied to a variety of reporting mediums, including newspaper, magazine, radio, television and the Internet.
Additional complementary theory classes and skills may include:
- Editing
- Photography and photo journalism
- Design and desktop publishing
- Media ethics
Much of the course work in journalism programs will be designed to prepare students to work under tight deadlines, using proper equipment and adapting their work to a variety of mediums. Work placements may also be part of the curriculum to give students experience working in an actual newsroom environment.
General Journalism Program Requirements
Ontario college journalism programs require an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, including a grade 12 English credit. Additional requirements may include grammar assessment and submission or completion of a writing assignment.
Journalism Jobs and Salaries
Journalism is an ever-evolving industry, so it pays for students to have a diverse skill set that can land them a position in any reporting environment. Job opportunities exist in traditional newspaper environments, as well as in broadcasting on radio or television. More and more opportunities are also surfacing for web-based reporting, whether it’s for online newspapers or news podcasts.
Salaries for journalists are largely based on level of experience. Often, entry-level reporters can expect to make anywhere from $27,000 to $33,000 per year, but with experience can move as high as $50,000 or more.
Ontario Colleges Offering Journalism Programs
Use the left-column navigation to refine your search by College, Program Availability, Program Start Date and more, or see the table below for a complete list of journalism programs at Ontario colleges.
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