Occupation Details
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists
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.
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Interests
Investigative
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Artistic
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Enterprising
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Work Values
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Recognition
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$46,380.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$80,910.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$125,040.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
4,930
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
4,910
+-2 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
522
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.0%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
Degree Needed - Four-year college
Experience Requirements
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Education Requirements
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Communications and Media
Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Law and Government
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Geography
Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Achievement/Effort
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Communication headphones
- Compact digital cameras
- Desktop computers
- Digital audio recorders
- Digital audio workstations
- Editing consoles
- Flash disks
- High definition HD video cameras
- Laptop computers
- Laser facsimile machines
- Microphones
- Mobile broadcast units
- Multi-line telephone systems
- Personal computers
- Satellite phones
- Television cameras
Technology
- Adobe Systems Adobe After Effects
- Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
- Apple Final Cut Pro
- Avid Technology Pro Tools
- Desktop Technologies NewsBoss
- ESRI ArcView
- FileMaker Pro
- Hypertext markup language HTML
- IBM SPSS Statistics
- LexisNexis
- Mapping software
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- operate cameras
- operate video recorders
- edit written material
- edit written material
- assess script quality
- review assembled film or video tape on monitor
- schedule work to meet deadlines
- proofread printed or written material
- ensure correct grammar, punctuation, or spelling
- ensure correct grammar, punctuation, or spelling
- organize story elements
- organize story elements
- organize journalistic or literary data
- organize journalistic or literary data
- verify investigative information
- verify investigative information
- verify sources or documentation for stories
- verify sources or documentation for stories
- identify interests of publication readers
- identify interests of publication readers
- interpret information to formulate story ideas
- interpret information to formulate story ideas
- use word processing or desktop publishing software
- use word processing or desktop publishing software
- convey moods or emotions through writing
- convey moods or emotions through writing
- write headlines
- write headlines
- write story copy
- write story copy
- edit video film scenes
- use interviewing procedures
- use interviewing procedures
- use public speaking techniques
- use public speaking techniques
- use journalistic interviewing techniques
- use journalistic interviewing techniques
- present commentary or news in broadcast medium
- interpret technical information for written materials
- write news analysis commentary, column, or script
- write news analysis commentary, column, or script
- write news stories for publication
- communicate visually or verbally
- communicate visually or verbally
- make presentations
- compile information through interviews
- compile information through interviews
- collect details for stories or articles
- collect details for stories or articles
- research information for news programs
- research information for news programs
- research broadcast copy
- research broadcast copy
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- 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.
- Establish and maintain relationships with individuals who are credible sources of information.
- Report news stories for publication or broadcast, describing the background and details of events.
- Revise work to meet editorial approval or to fit time or space requirements.
- Review and evaluate notes taken about news events to isolate pertinent facts and details.
- Investigate breaking news developments, such as disasters, crimes, or human-interest stories.
- Review written, audio, or video copy, and correct errors in content, grammar, or punctuation, following prescribed editorial style and formatting guidelines.
- Report on specialized fields such as medicine, green technology, environmental issues, science, politics, sports, arts, consumer affairs, business, religion, crime, or education.
- Determine a published or broadcasted story's emphasis, length, and format, organizing material accordingly.
- Transmit news stories or reporting information from remote locations, using equipment such as satellite phones, telephones, fax machines, or modems.
- Check reference materials, such as books, news files, or public records, to obtain relevant facts.
- Discuss issues with editors to establish priorities or positions.
- Photograph or videotape news events.
- Present live or recorded commentary via broadcast media.
- Take pictures or video, and process them for inclusion in a story.
- Conduct taped or filmed interviews or narratives.
- Develop ideas or material for columns or commentaries by analyzing and interpreting news, current issues, or personal experiences.
- Communicate with readers, viewers, advertisers, or the general public via mail, email, or telephone.
- Write online blog entries that address news developments or offer additional information, opinions, or commentary on news events.
- Assign stories to other reporters or duties to production staff.
- Write columns, editorials, commentaries, or reviews that interpret events or offer opinions.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Broadcast Journalists and Newswriters
Visit this link for information on this career in the military.
Learn MoreNews analysts, reporters, and correspondents
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
Learn More