Journalist

You chase the truth for a living and get paid like you chase coupons. Deadlines are a lifestyle, not a concept — they were five minutes ago and your editor is already asking where the story is. Everyone tells you 'the media is biased' at Thanksgiving while simultaneously sharing unsourced Facebook posts. Your notepad has seen things. The industry is shrinking, the hours are terrible, and you'll never be rich, but you'll break stories that matter and hold people accountable, which is worth something even if your bank account disagrees.

Learn the skills

Courses and certifications to get you job-ready

What you'll actually do

• 01Chase sources who don't want to be found and definitely don't want to be quoted
• 02Write headlines that your editor will change anyway to something worse
• 03Fact-check things people on Twitter won't bother to — because someone has to
• 04Hit deadlines that were 5 minutes ago while your editor asks 'where's the story?'
• 05Accept a 'quick story' assignment that is never, ever quick — it's always 3 days minimum
• 06Record interviews on a phone that's at 3% battery and pray to the journalism gods
• 07Explain to family that no, you don't make the news up, and no, you don't pick what's on the front page

Career Path

Where this role sits in the bigger picture — and where it can take you.