Keeping the public informed is one thing that journalists do best. Before focusing on any event, whether it is the latest breaking news, political happenings, or the local sports team, a journalist must first establish their credibility. How to become a journalist after graduation depends on how well you understand what a newsroom will want of you when you apply. Now, that is possible with or without a degree, depending on how dedicated you are.
But before that, it is even more critical to develop the necessary skills for becoming a journalist that is only possible after you complete your BJMC degree. Joining a BJMC college gives you an edge and is the stepping stone to becoming a journalist.
But a lot of individuals want to know how to become a journalist without a degree. The best way to do that is by creating a public portfolio, submitting tales to editors, and working as a freelancer to obtain practical experience.
By detailing what a journalist does and the actions you might take to get started, we will explore how to become a journalist after graduation in this article. Also, we will look into the aspects of how to become a journalist in India after 12th with or without a degree.
What does a journalist do?
A journalist provides impartial reporting on events in the world. The BJMC program offers several positions in each specialization, spanning almost every facet of the contemporary world. After you complete your journalism degree, you can pursue opportunities in print, audio, and video reporting.
Journalists are required to undertake research on the stories they are writing about, which may include reviewing documents, speaking with sources, and submitting requests for documents from the people or organizations they are writing about.
Some journalists cover their assigned topics more effectively by working in embedded positions and going abroad. A fresher graduate of BJMC can make 4 lakh to 6 lakh per year.
A few tips on how to become a Journalist after Graduation:
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Do research and produce stories and news items.
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When writing, adopt an objective viewpoint.
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Speak with sources and experts to get first-hand information.
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Meet each story's deadline
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Collaborate with photographers and editors
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During meetings, share your story ideas.
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Edit articles before submitting them.
Average Salary after BJMC for a journalist
Journalists can work as either salaried full-time employees of a news organization or as independent contractors who are paid per article. Depending on the type of specialization you choose during graduation and the position you choose, your region, and amount of expertise, salary for journalists might vary greatly. Here are some typical career pathways for journalists and their average salaries in the country:
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Job Title
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Salary Range (per annum)
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Journalist
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INR 3-6 lakh
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Social Media Manager
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INR 2.5-5 lakh
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Content Writer
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INR 2-4 lakh
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Public Relations Specialist
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INR 3-6 lakh
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Media Planner
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INR 4-7 lakh
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Copywriter
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INR 2-5 lakh
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Radio Jockey
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INR 2-4 lakh
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Video Producer
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INR 3-6 lakh
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News Anchor
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INR 3-6 lakh
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Event Manager
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INR 3-6 lakh
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How to Become a Journalist after Graduation?
Follow these steps if you want to know how to become a journalist after graduation:
Work towards a bachelor's degree
For the majority of media companies, a BJMC degree is the required educational level. A degree in Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication degree is the first choice of companies. Graduates with similar degrees in public relations or English, however, might be taken into consideration for opportunities if they have relevant experience to back it up.
How to become a journalist after graduation also depends on what college you choose; your BJMC program colleges will give students a boost in campus placements because news agencies recruit new graduates from these colleges very frequently.
Work for the school media
An effective way to obtain experience before starting a job is to get some experience. Even when looking for an entry-level job, it is imperative to gain as much experience as you can in journalism to showcase your skills.
If you are certain of the medium you want to work in, you should start looking for jobs in that industry while you are still in college, perhaps by joining the college newspaper or radio station. Working in college media is a good way to start assembling a portfolio of the articles you are most pleased with and that you believe best demonstrate your reporting skills.
Create a blog
Creating a blog is one of the most critical aspects of how to become a journalist after graduation. This allows students to accumulate experience for their resume. You have complete creative control over the topic, structure, and tone of your own blog posts.
If you are familiar with the industry you want to work in, concentrate your blog posts on covering that subject. A prospective sports journalist could start a blog where they provide weekly IPL game analysis, while an aspiring political broadcaster would do better to start a blog that promotes videos from their YouTube channel where they discuss current political events.
Create a portfolio
Many aspiring authors mistakenly think that a personal blog and a portfolio are interchangeable, but you should actually make a separate portfolio to showcase your greatest work. Choose your best work to develop a polished and professional portfolio when applying for a job that requires you to submit an online link, since you don't want to rely on the hiring manager reading the greatest blog posts on your site. A portfolio also makes it simpler to locate the work you wish to submit in printed submissions.
Get an internship
You will have the chance to pursue internships with media companies as an upperclassman during your days in college. The best approach to network in the industry and gain experience is through this.
Although work done in a professional setting is more noticeable to media organizations when applying for entry-level positions, personal blogs and work done for educational institutions nevertheless offer useful experience and clips.
When a potential employer looks at your resume and sees that you have internship experience, they can tell that you have not only mastered the fundamentals of journalism but have actually used those talents in a real newsroom with strict deadlines. On your online portfolio, you should always make an effort to highlight work from an internship that garnered high marks from your supervisors.
Write a resume
A CV is less significant when looking for a job in journalism than it is in many other professions because your writing samples provide more solid evidence of your abilities. You should still make a professional resume.
Send applications for jobs.
It's crucial to tailor your sample work and resume when applying for journalism jobs so that they closely fit the job description. Where possible, concentrate your job history and your chosen writing samples on the industry relevant to the role.
How to Become a Journalist in India after 12th – Developing Skills
How to become a journalist in India after 12th generally relies on your professional skills rather than your degree or college. Degrees are useful, but success is defined by talent.
Key skills include:
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Writing and storytelling
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Research and fact-checking
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Communication and interviewing
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Critical thinking
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Adaptability to digital tools
In 2026, you also need:
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Basic video editing
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Social media understanding
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Data interpretation
Challenges in a Career in Journalism
When searching online about how to become a journalist without a degree, you might come across various challenges as follows.
Typical difficulties:
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Strict deadlines
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Unpredictable hours of work
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Overload of information
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Investigative reporting's risk
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Continuous necessity to keep current
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Future Prospects for Indian Journalism
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Digital media will dominate journalism in the future.
Trends influencing the sector:
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Growth of platforms for independent journalism
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Expansion of short-form and video content
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A greater emphasis on fact-checking
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Utilizing AI techniques for reporting and research
How to become a journalist without a degree?
How to become a journalist without a degree heavily relies on building your core skills. Writing, researching, and communicating effectively are fundamental. Start by creating content regularly, whether it's a blog, articles, or social media posts. This not only improves your writing but also helps build an online presence. Dive into different writing styles and formats to become versatile.
Additionally, understanding the basics of photojournalism, video production, and editing can make you a multi-talented asset in the newsroom.
Conclusion
No matter how hard you prepare for an interview, there is always something missing that escapes your mind at the very last moment. Personality development is one of the many things that students take for granted. Uplift your personality to make a great first impression, which will help you get a job with a lucrative salary after graduation.
FAQs
Q1. How to become a journalist in India after 12th?
You can pursue undergraduate journalism courses right after 12th.
Q2. Is a journalism degree necessary to become a journalist?
Not always, but it helps with training, exposure, and credibility.
Q3. What qualifications are required to become a journalist in India?
A 12th pass certificate and strong communication skills are the basic requirements.
Q4. Which course is best for journalism in India?
BJMC and BA in Journalism are among the most popular choices.
Q5. What skills are needed to become a successful journalist?
Writing, research, communication, and digital skills are essential.
Q6. What is the starting salary of a journalist in India?
Typically between ₹2.5 LPA and ₹5 LPA.