Newspaper or magazine journalist

Career path and progression

As your career develops, you might specialise in a particular field, such as:

• sport
• politics
• business and finance
• investigative journalism
• fashion or lifestyle

With experience, you could become a chief reporter, features writer or editor at a newspaper, magazine or press agency. You could also work freelance.

You could also move into other areas, such as broadcast journalism, communications or public relations.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• knowledge of English language
• knowledge of media production and communication
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• excellent written communication skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• persistence and determination
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Related subjects

Most relevant

• English Language - Newspaper or magazine journalists write articles, features, and news stories every day, so strong command of grammar, style, and structure is essential. They also need to adapt their writing for different audiences – from tabloid readers to specialist magazine subscribers – and edit other journalists' work for clarity and accuracy.
• English Literature - Newspaper or magazine journalists benefit from wide reading and the ability to analyse texts critically, which sharpens their own writing. Studying literature develops a feel for narrative, tone, and how to hold a reader's attention – skills that are central to feature writing and long-form journalism.
• Media Studies - Newspaper or magazine journalists shape stories for different formats and audiences. Media Studies builds an understanding of how news organisations operate, how content is constructed for print, online, and social platforms, and how concepts like representation and media language influence everyday journalism.
• Politics - Newspaper or magazine journalists frequently cover political stories, from local council decisions to national elections and government policy. Understanding how political systems, parties, and institutions work helps them ask the right questions, spot important developments, and explain complex issues to readers.

Also relevant

• History - Newspaper or magazine journalists often need to place current events in a broader historical context to help readers understand why something matters. Studying history also builds strong skills in researching sources, evaluating evidence, and constructing clear, well-supported arguments – all core to investigative journalism.
• Sociology - Newspaper or magazine journalists report on issues like inequality, crime, education, and social change, so understanding how society works helps them cover these topics with depth and accuracy. Sociology also develops the ability to interpret data and research findings, which is useful when fact-checking stories.
• Business - Newspaper or magazine journalists who cover business and finance need to understand topics like markets, company performance, and economic trends. Many journalists also work freelance, so knowing how to manage invoices, pitch to clients, and build a sustainable career is genuinely useful.
• Economics - Newspaper or magazine journalists regularly report on economic issues such as inflation, employment, trade, and government spending. Understanding economic concepts helps them interpret data, explain policy decisions, and write stories that make complex financial topics accessible to readers.
• Law - Newspaper or magazine journalists must understand media law, including defamation, contempt of court, and reporting restrictions, to avoid legal problems with their stories. Knowledge of the legal system also helps when covering court cases, inquests, and criminal investigations.
• Psychology - Newspaper or magazine journalists interview people in sensitive situations and need to understand human behaviour to build trust and get honest responses. Psychology also helps when writing about mental health, crime, and social issues in a way that is accurate and responsible.