What do you need to know to succeed in journalism?

-I am considering this major for college, but I don't have a school newspaper, or anything to practice. What kind of things should a journalists be able to write about and what do you need to know about it before college?What should a journalist be able to write about? Anything and everything, although you will probably find an area you want to specialize in. It is good to have a background and interest in a lot of subjects, because a working journalist never knows what he or she might be called on to cover.



What do you need to know about journalism before college? It's not so much what you need to know, but rather your desire to learn about it. That is at the heart of all good journalists -- an intense curiosity and the ability to question the world around you, coupled with the interpretive skills to communicate a story effectively to your audience, whether through the spoken or written word.



The answer to your question depends on your definition of success. However, I will offer three tips that I have gleaned from 23 years as a reporter and editor: 1) File your work on time. Do this and you will never want for work; 2) Spell people's names correctly. Nothing annoys sources and readers faster than name errors; 3) Never assume you know anything, even the things you do know. Double check your facts. It is easier to ask for clarification today than to run a correction tomorrow.



Journalism is a demanding profession with long hours and often less than stellar pay, but the personal rewards are many.If you choose to major in journalism in college, your teachers will not expect you to know much -- that's why they're there.



But you can get leg up on college by NOW reading every newspaper you can get your hands on. Be alert to which ones are easy to read and interesting, compared to the ones that aren't. Read, read, read.



And since your school doesn't have a newspaper, why not...start one? Ask your guidance counselor which teacher might act as advisor. Get together with that teacher and kick some ideas around.



Every school newspaper was started by _someone_ -- in your school it could be you!



Good luck -- I think you will achieve your goal.
Always make sure that any story you work on favors Big Government and Big Business.



Do this and you will never have trouble keeping your job.