职责

　　•新闻记者搜集信息并撰写印刷或广播媒体的稿件，向公众告知当地、本州、国家和国际事件，包括公职官员、公司领导、特别兴趣小组和其他行使权利者的活动。

　　•编写报道时，记者要调查线索和新闻内部消息，查阅文档，现场观察事件并采访相关人物等。

　　•新闻记者的工作通常是比较忙乱的。他们常处于巨大的压力之下，需要严格按照规定期限完成工作，而且有时候需要在没有多少时间准备的情况下将新闻播出。

　　技能

　　•作为记者，良好的判断力、坚持不懈、主动性、足智多谋、良好的记忆力和充沛的精力是很重要的，同时还需要稳定的情绪来处理紧迫的最终期限、无规律的工作时间和危险的任务。

　　•可熟练写作、阅读、研究、分析，言谈自如并颇具威信，逻辑思维能力同样也很重要。

　　•精确也非常重要，既是为了服务于公众，也是因为不真实和诽谤性的言论会导致昂贵的法律诉讼费用。

　　教育背景

　　•大部分雇主偏好在新闻业具有学士学位的个人，但是也有人雇佣其他专业的毕业生。

　　•超过400所高等院校提供新闻专业的学士学位课程。课程包括大众传媒导论、基础报道和文本编辑、新闻历史、法律、道德等。

　　•计划从事广播职业的学生应该学习广播电视新闻广播和制作的课程，而想要从事新闻报纸或杂志领域的学生通常应专门学习新闻编辑报道。

　　前景

　　•预期一直到2008年记者的就业率都不会有多少变化，面对空缺职位将产生激烈的竞争。

　　•小镇和郊区报纸将继续为那些想进入该领域的求职者提供大部分的机会。

　　•小型出版公司会产生大部分的初级职位空缺，因为那里的记者和通讯员通常会到大型出版公司做编辑或记者，也可能离开这一行业。

THE JOB

•News reporters gather information and prepare print or broadcast stories that inform the public about local, State, national, and international events, including the actions of public officials, corporate executives, special interest groups, and others who exercise power.

•In covering a story, reporters investigate leads and news tips, look at documents, observe events at the scene, and interview people.

•The work of news reporters is usually hectic. They are under great pressure to meet deadlines and broadcasts are sometimes made with little time for preparation.

SKILLS

•Good judgment, persistence, initiative, resourcefulness, a good memory, and physical stamina are important, as well as the emotional stability to deal with pressing deadlines, irregular hours, and dangerous assignments.

•Proficiency in writing, speaking with ease and authority, reading, researching, analyzing and logical thinking are also critical.

•Accuracy is important, both to serve the public and because untrue or libelous statements can lead to costly lawsuits.

EDUCATION

•Most employers prefer individuals with a bachelor degree in journalism, but some hire graduates with other majors.

•More than 400 colleges and universities offer bachelor degree programs in journalism. Courses include introductory mass media, basic reporting and copyediting, history of journalism, and law and ethics.

•Students planning a career in broadcasting should take courses in radio and television newscasting and production. Those planning newspaper or magazine careers usually specialize in news-editorial journalism.

OUTLOOK

•Employment of reporters is expected to show little or no change through 2008, and there will be stiff competition for job openings.

•Small-town and suburban newspapers will continue to offer the most opportunities for those seeking to enter the field.

•Most entry-level openings arise at small publications, as reporters and correspondents become editors or reporters at larger publications or leave the field.