If you are interested in a journalistic career that involves researching topics in great depth and then producing stories, you may wish to become an investigative reporter. In order to become an investigative reporter, you will likely need an undergraduate degree in journalism or another relevant field. Gaining experience by completing internships and contributing to local newspapers can also help you enter the field of investigative reporting. Finally, before pursuing this career, you should determine whether you possess the personality traits necessary to succeed in the field.
To become an investigative reporter, you will likely need an undergraduate degree in journalism. An undergraduate journalism program will help you establish the skills necessary to work as a journalist, such as interviewing, writing, and using publishing software. If you wish to specialize in a particular area of investigative reporting, however, you might consider choosing an undergraduate major relevant to that area and then completing a master’s degree in journalism, or vice versa. For instance, if you wish to report on political topics, you may find it useful to study both journalism and political science.
Gaining experience can be critical to securing a job as an investigative reporter. During college, you should consider completing one or more internships at a local newspaper, magazine, or television station. You might also wish to work at your university’s newspaper or to contribute freelance work to small publications. While such work is often unpaid, it allows you to build a portfolio of published work, and also lends distinction to your resume. Additionally, journalistic internships may help you build a network of contacts, which can prove highly valuable when you are ready to begin searching for a job.
Finally, before you decide to become an investigative reporter, you may wish to ask yourself whether you possess the personality traits needed to succeed in the field. First of all, investigative journalists often write about information that certain involved parties do not wish to be exposed. Therefore, you may have to face individuals who are angry about your work, and may have to convince reluctant parties to grant interviews or allow you to access sensitive documents. If you have difficulty with confrontation or do not feel comfortable talking to unfamiliar people, you may not be suited to this job.
Further, many investigative reporters spends weeks, months, or even years researching a story. You should thus ask yourself whether you have very strong research skills, as well as the ability to remain focused on a single topic for a significant period of time. Finally, investigative reporters often work long, irregular hours. In order to successfully become an investigative reporter, therefore, you must be willing to work for long stretches which may involve late nights, early mornings, and weekends.
