Jobs in the newsroom

By Rachel Bunn
Edited by Rebekah Baldwin

Journalism jobs may be changing, but despite reports about the decline of print media, students and career experts say journalism students are not going to find it difficult to find jobs.


Alone, the raw statistics may seem discouraging. According to several recent studies, the number journalism jobs are decreasing while the number of journalism graduates is on the rise.

In August, the James M. Cox Jr. Center for International Mass Communication Training and Research released its annual survey of journalism graduates, showing a dramatic decrease in jobs/job interviews from the 2007 findings.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics says jobs in journalism have declined over the past 20 years, with the sharpest declines coming in the past five.

From 2008 to 2009, enrollment at journalism schools across the country has increased about 30 percent, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education. Journalists and business experts are releasing new analyses of the future of the news industry on a regular basis. What is really happening to newsroom jobs?

“I’ve heard some students say they’ve had a hard time finding a job, but not a lot,” said Marian Higgins, Grady Career Consultant at the University of Georgia Career Center.

Cecil Bentley, director of career services at the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia, says that although the Cox survey may be influenced by the recent downturn in the economy, it may be an indication of things to come.

“There will be a continuation in magazines, newspapers and other publications with seeing jobs disappear and change,” Bentley said. “I don’t see all jobs coming back [when the economy recovers].”

Bentley said that journalism schools are trying to keep curriculum current to give students an edge in the job market.

Students, although aware of the changes taking place, are not discouraged.

“I think all Grady professors are pushing the idea the newspaper isn’t going to last, but I still think they are going to be available,” said Mimi Ensley, a junior magazines major from Dalton, Ga.

Both Bentley and Ensley said that the newsroom is changing so quickly that graduating in 2011 will be offered jobs that do not yet exist.

“Digital has changed how we do things,” said Bentley. “There’s still people doing work—they just have broader skill sets.”

Bentley says the major words for journalists have been “multi-platform” or “multi-purpose” journalists. This means, journalists should be responsible for more than just telling stories—they should be editors, photographers and digital media experts as well.

“More experienced higher paid individuals are the ones being let go. Publications are hiring more entry-level candidates with different skill sets,” said Bentley.

Higgins said that journalism students should be focused on transferable skill sets, giving them a greater variety of jobs they can apply for.

“Skills I would look for are communication (oral and written), leadership, teamwork (whether you can work well with others), familiarity with technology, whether or not you can work independently and your level of creativity,” said Higgins.

So does that mean students should abandon their journalist roots? Not necessarily.

“I would say start with an initial goal [such as] magazines, then look to newspapers, publishing companies, PR firms and other companies,” said Higgins.

Bentley says that students should be open to any opportunities that come their way.

“Be more open-minded about the type of work you’re willing to do; don’t look past what’s out there,” said Bentley.

Still, students are a little wary of what the future holds for them.

“It’s scary, as a student, not knowing what jobs will be available when I graduate,” Ensley said.