For the most part, little or no increase is expected in the number of big city dailies, although some of them may increase the size of their reporting staffs. Magazines and radio and television broadcasting should continue to provide a significant number of jobs, but major news magazines and large radio and television stations primarily seek only experienced reporters. The need to replace experienced reporters and correspondents who leave the occupation each year will account for the vast majority of all job openings. Some people decide they don't like the lifestyle and transfer to other occupations where their skills are valuable, especially public relations and advertising work. Overall, graduates who have majored in news-editorial journalism and completed an internship while in school should have the best prospects for reporting jobs.
Most editors prefer to hire the top graduates of accredited programs.
Talented writers who can handle highly specialized scientific or technical subjects will be at an advantage in the job market. Small newspapers often look for beginning reporters who are acquainted with the community and who can help with photography and other aspects of newspaper production. Persons without at least a bachelor's degree in journalism will face increasingly stiff competition for entry level positions. Newspapers and magazines located in small towns and suburban areas are expected to continue to offer the most opportunities for beginning reporters. Journalism graduates who are willing to relocate and start at relatively low salaries are likely to find reporting jobs on these newspapers.