What You'll Do

  • Write commentaries, columns, or scripts, using computers.
  • Coordinate and serve as an anchor on news broadcast programs.
  • Examine news items of local, national, and international significance to determine topics to address, or obtain assignments from editorial staff members.
  • Analyze and interpret news and information received from various sources to broadcast the information.
  • Receive assignments or evaluate leads or tips to develop story ideas.
  • Research a story's background information to provide complete and accurate information.
  • Arrange interviews with people who can provide information about a story.
  • Gather information and develop perspectives about news subjects through research, interviews, observation, and experience.
  • Select material most pertinent to presentation, and organize this material into appropriate formats.
  • Present news stories, and introduce in-depth videotaped segments or live transmissions from on-the-scene reporters.

Essential Skills

Speaking 4.12/5
Reading Comprehension 4.0/5
Writing 4.0/5
Active Listening 3.88/5
Social Perceptiveness 3.5/5
Time Management 3.5/5
Critical Thinking 3.38/5
Coordination 3.38/5
Active Learning 3.25/5
Complex Problem Solving 3.25/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.25/5
Persuasion 3.12/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Artist: Creating original work and expressing ideas feels natural.
  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.
  • Leader: Taking charge and moving ideas forward motivates you.

Common styles

Dependability, Attention to Detail, Integrity, Initiative, Stress Tolerance

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Oral Expression 4.0/5
Oral Comprehension 3.88/5
Written Expression 3.88/5
Speech Clarity 3.88/5
Written Comprehension 3.75/5
Speech Recognition 3.75/5
Near Vision 3.5/5
Problem Sensitivity 3.38/5

Technologies & Tools

Adobe After Effects Adobe InDesign Adobe Photoshop Adobe Premiere Pro Apple Final Cut Pro Audion Laboratories VoxPro Avid Technology Pro Tools Desktop Technologies NewsBoss ESRI ArcView Facebook FileMaker Pro Grass Valley EDIUS Hypertext markup language HTML IBM SPSS Statistics LexisNexis Mapping software Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Dependability (High importance: 4.8/5)
  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.71/5)
  • Integrity (High importance: 4.59/5)
  • Initiative (High importance: 4.55/5)
  • Stress Tolerance (High importance: 4.51/5)

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How to Become One

Most employers require a bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Some positions may also require experience through internships, co-ops, or entry-level work to strengthen your candidacy.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Anchor Anchorman Art Critic Basketball Commentator Blogger Book Critic Book Reviewer Breaking News Reporter Broadcast Journalist Broadcast Meteorologist Broadcast News Advisor Business Reporter Business Writer Columnist Commentator Correspondent Courtroom Reporter Critic Cub Reporter Data Journalist Desk Reporter Digital Commentator Digital Reporter Dramatic Critic Editorial Writer Education Reporter Environmental Journalist Fashion Journalist Feature Writer Film Critic Financial Writer Food Critic Food Writer Foreign Correspondent General Assignment Reporter General Assignment Television News Reporter Headline Writer Information Writer Investigative Reporter Journalist Law Reporter Leg Man Magazine Journalist Magazine Writer Marine Reporter Market News Reporter Market Reporter Media Analyst Morning News Anchor Motion Picture Critic Movie Critic Multimedia Journalist Multimedia Reporter Music Critic Music Journalist News Analyst News Anchor News Commentator News Correspondent News Reporter News Writer Newscaster Newspaper Columnist Newspaper Correspondent Newspaper Journalist Newspaper Reporter Newspaper Writer Political Reporter Press Writer Print Journalist Radio Commentator Radio News Anchor Radio News Writer Radio Talk Show Host Reporter Soccer Commentator Society Reporter Sports Analyst Sports Anchor Sports Commentator Sports Journalist Sports Reporter Sports Writer Staff Reporter Staff Writer Television Anchor Television News Anchor (TV News Anchor) Television News Reporter Television Reporter (TV Reporter) Traffic Reporter Travel Journalist Travel Writer Volleyball Commentator Weather Anchor Weekend Anchor