Top six characteristics of a journalist?

RECENTLY, I've given two talks on how to break into journalism after being invited along to speak by teachers in a careers day at a local school.

Alongside discussing options for courses and so on, I felt it was important to set out what I considered to be the most important characteristics of someone who wanted to be a journalist.

You may not agree with them, but here I go...

1. Strong work ethic

Forget the fantasy of swanning around in your dressing gown, penning your oeuvre when the muse takes you. Right here’s where you start paying – in sweat! (And okay, possibly in your dressing gown.)

2. In-built bullshit detector

Don’t go anywhere without it.

3. Tenacity

Try hard, then try harder. Never give up.

4. Courage

A media career favours the brave.

5. Willingness to push yourself forward, and/or market yourself

You can’t hide your light under a bushel – shout from the rooftops about your experience and skill.

6. ...Writing talent

Yes it does matter – but possibly not as much as you think! [Linda]

Comments

[Sally]

Great post Linda. But aren't you supposed to be on holiday??

I'd add that a hack needs a thick skin.

Editors, publishers and readers will tell you over and over again that your work is rubbish, you're an idiot, you wouldn't recognise a story if you fell over it.

Most of the time there will be a grain of truth there, but if you're the kind of person who takes such things personally, hackery probably isn't the job for you.

[Craig McGinty]

Hi Sally, many thanks for your comment, but it is the wonders of forwarding posting - just don't look behind the curtain.
Craig