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News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists

News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists is the O*NET name for people who narrate or write news stories, reviews, or commentary for print, broadcast, or other communications media such as newspapers, magazines, radio, or television. On the six-type interest model it reads AIE, meaning creative work with room for original expression comes first, followed by research, analysis and working through hard problems. The preparation level is considerable preparation, typically a bachelor’s degree plus a period of work experience. O*NET’s skill data points to active listening, reading comprehension, and speaking as the ones to build. You may also need to report news stories for publication or broadcast, describing the background and details of events. If you want creative work with room for original expression, keep it on your list. If you need hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world, it may feel thin.

What they do

Narrate or write news stories, reviews, or commentary for print, broadcast, or other communications media such as newspapers, magazines, radio, or television. May collect and analyze information through interview, investigation, or observation.

Main tasks

  • Report news stories for publication or broadcast, describing the background and details of events.
  • Gather information and develop perspectives about news subjects through research, interviews, observation, and experience.
  • Research a story's background information to provide complete and accurate information.
  • Arrange interviews with people who can provide information about a story.
  • Establish and maintain relationships with individuals who are credible sources of information.
  • Investigate breaking news developments, such as disasters, crimes, or human-interest stories.

Skills

  • Active Listening
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
  • Writing
  • Social Perceptiveness

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You want room to make something in your own way.
  • You enjoy working out why something happens, not just what happened.
  • You are ready to spend around four years on a degree, then build experience.
  • You are comfortable relying on active listening and reading comprehension.

May not suit you if

  • You prefer clear instructions to open creative briefs.
  • You want to work with your hands for most of the day. Realistic rates 1.5 out of 7 here.
  • You want to avoid a four-year degree or its equivalent.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code AIE takes the three highest, and Artistic comes first here.

Preparation

Considerable preparation. Most jobs here ask for a bachelor’s degree, and employers usually expect a few years of related experience as well.

Also called

  • Anchor
  • Journalist
  • Multimedia Journalist
  • News Anchor
  • News Reporter

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.