With a degree in journalism, you can pursue a noble profession that’s essential to a healthy democracy and gets a shout-out in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. But beyond the necessity of a free press—it’s also a fascinating, rewarding career path known for its variety and fast pace.
As a journalist, you might cover the impact of rising waters on a coastal community, the Met Gala red carpet, or scientific discoveries on Mars. You could be documenting social movements, changes in the economy, crime, wars and regional conflicts, politicians and elections, pets, and anything in between. You may work for a media organization or as a freelancer, investigating and reporting on a broad range of subjects and sharing your stories in newspapers and magazines as well as on podcasts, television, streaming services, and social media. And there’s always something new—the news, obviously, along with storytelling formats, platforms, and more.
But your career options extend far beyond the fourth estate. Your journalism training provides a foundation of hard and soft skills that make you competitive in other jobs if the traditional route isn’t a good fit, you’re struggling to break into journalism—which, as vital as the press is to democracy and society, is increasingly common—or you’re exploring a career change.
A journalism degree sets you up for success with these top transferable skills:
Brand ambassador. Chief communications officer. Public relations director. Speechwriter. These and other job titles held by graduates of the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Kansas are posted outside career and outreach coordinator Steve Rottinghaus’ office. He says parents and students exploring journalism are always “blown away” by the list, which also includes positions in education, science, and other fields and industries. “They say, ‘I had no idea you could do that with a journalism degree.’”
Rottinghaus believes journalists’ ability to produce quality content on tight deadlines is one of their top transferable skills. “Journalists know how to get to the point right away.” But journalism students also gain a slew of other skills that can help them succeed in any job:
- Communication: Clear, accurate, and fast writing, communication, and storytelling are necessities in a newsroom—and other businesses trying to emulate the media. “Every organization, every industry is looking for their own storytelling team,” Rottinghaus says. “They basically want their own media group. They want that great writer, that great videographer. And if someone can do a bit of both—that’s a great hire.” But communication skills are also desirable in any role. Sales representatives need to clearly convey a product’s benefits, for instance, while project managers must clearly communicate goals, timelines, and changes.
- Interviewing: The ability to draw stories, information, and quotes from your sources and interview subjects is a fundamental skill for journalists. But the ability to ask insightful and clarifying questions will help you flourish in other professions and industries. Effective marketers know how to interview colleagues and customers for information and quotes they can use in press releases and advertisements. Sales reps who ask the right questions deepen their understanding of their products and the needs of their clients. And anyone could lean on these skills to understand a manager’s expectations or a colleague’s concerns about a cross-functional project.
- Problem-solving: Sometimes information is hard to find and interview subjects aren’t forthcoming—intentionally or unintentionally. Reporters find ways to draw out the truth and this industriousness transfers when faced with challenges in other careers. Problem-solvers don’t get bogged down by unresponsive coworkers, confusing emails, difficult projects, or any workplace issues that will inevitably arise. They work to find solutions.
- Ethics: People depend on trustworthy news organizations to deliver factual information. In J-school, cub reporters learn to gather, verify, and deliver the news honestly and accurately. This ethical framework is desirable in other careers, such as business and marketing, where transparency and forthrightness is valued.
Whether you studied journalism in an undergraduate or graduate program, you’ve built the skills for a strong start in these 11 rewarding roles.
