Working on a daily or weekly newspaper or magazine is the most common goal of journalism majors. Journalism majors may choose to work for a small community newspaper or a larger national publication. Many entry-level journalists begin their careers at smaller publications where they can gain a variety of experiences that will prepare them to work for a larger publication. Some journalism graduates work as reporters who gather information about newsworthy events through interviews, observation, and library research. Reporters then prepare written accounts of the events, or submit facts to other staff members who write the stories.
Positions also exist in editorial and research.
Journalists working in electronic media hold positions both in front of the camera and behind the scenes. Like newspaper reporters, working for a television or radio station requires the ability to gather and present complete and accurate news as quickly as possible. However, journalists working in these media are limited by the scheduled amount of on-air time and must present only the key points of a story. Television reporting depends a great deal on the videotapes that support the text material. Rewriting copy to correspond with the content and length of a video presentation is common.