Career Center

Journalism & Publishing

The journalism and publishing industry is dedicated to crafting, disseminating, and presenting written content to inform, entertain, and inspire audiences worldwide. It comprises two interwoven realms, each with distinct roles but sharing a common mission of storytelling and knowledge-sharing.

At the heart of journalism lies the pursuit of truth and the art of storytelling. Journalists are dedicated professionals who gather, investigate, and report news and events, ranging from local happenings to global affairs. Through diverse mediums such as newspapers, magazines, digital platforms, radio, television, and podcasts, journalists deliver stories that impact society, shape public opinion, and foster dialogue.

Complementary to journalism, the publishing industry revolves around the selection, preparation, and distribution of written works. Publishers play a pivotal role in bringing authors' creations to life, nurturing their ideas, and presenting them in various formats, including books, eBooks, magazines, and digital content.

Together, the journalism and publishing industries shape public discourse, disseminate information, and enrich lives through the written word.

EXPLORE CAREERS

News Reporter

A news reporter’s primary role is to gather, investigate, and deliver accurate and timely information to the public. They delve into various events, conduct interviews, and research facts to craft compelling stories across diverse topics. Reporters aim to inform and enlighten audiences, shaping public awareness and fostering meaningful discussions about current affa

News Anchor

A news anchor serves as the face and voice of a news program, delivering current events and information to the public with clarity. They present news stories, conduct interviews, and provide context to help viewers understand complex issues. As a primary link between news sources and the audience, news anchors must maintain objectivity, credibility, and composure while effectively conveying breaking news and in-depth reports to keep the public informed and engaged.

Editor

Editors are responsible for overseeing the entire process of content creation, from the initial concept to the final publication. They work closely with writers, authors, and content creators to shape the overall direction of a project, offering feedback on content, structure, and style. Editors may be involved in developmental editing, where they provide feedback on the overall narrative, character development, and plot. They also engage in substantive or line editing to refine the language and flow of the text. Moreover, editors may be responsible for fact-checking and ensuring the accuracy of the content.

Copy Editor

A copy editor is a detail-oriented professional responsible for refining and perfecting written content. They review manuscripts, articles, or other written materials to correct errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and syntax. Additionally, they ensure consistency in style, formatting, and adherence to publishing guidelines. Copy editors collaborate closely with writers and other team members to enhance the overall quality of the text while maintaining clarity and coherence, resulting in polished and error-free content ready for publication.

Graphics/Page/Production Designer

The page designer is the creative force responsible for visually arranging content in an appealing and reader-friendly manner. Working closely with editors and journalists, they skillfully incorporate text, images, and graphics to design captivating newspaper pages. The designers must have expertise in layout and typography to enhance the storytelling and overall aesthetics, ensuring that the newspaper's content is presented cohesively and engages readers effectively.

Photographer

A photographer’s mission in the journalism industry is to capture powerful and compelling images that tell stories, evoke emotions, and accompany news articles. They are on the frontlines, documenting events, people, and places, and the photographs become the visual representation of the news.

Author

An author is an individual who crafts written works, ranging from novels and short stories to poetry and non-fiction. They delve into the realms of their imagination, developing characters, plots, and settings to weave captivating narratives. Authors engage in research, self-expression, and revision to refine their work, seeking to evoke emotions, provoke thoughts, or entertain readers.

Publisher

A publisher plays a crucial role in identifying, acquiring, and nurturing literary works from various authors. Publishers oversee the entire process of book production, from editing and designing to marketing and distribution. They collaborate with authors, editors, designers, and marketers to ensure that the final product reaches its intended audience.

Radio Host or Presenter

A radio host entertains and engages listeners by presenting music, news, and discussions on various topics. They conduct interviews, interact with callers, and share entertaining content while managing the flow of the show. Their role involves keeping the audience entertained and informed throughout the broadcast.

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FIND OPPORTUNITIES

To begin exploring jobs and careers within journalism and publishing, search the following job boards and companies. Please note this is not an exhaustive list, but designed to be a starting place.

Job Boards - Journalism:

The Association of Magazine Media
Journalism Jobs
International Radio & Television Society Foundation
Journalism Next
Society of Professional Journalists
Media Bistro
Corporation for Public Broadcasting
The Society for Editing
The Media Job Board

Companies - Journalism:

Job Boards - Publishing:

Companies - Publishing:

DEVELOP YOUR INTEREST

There are many options to get involved at Colorado College and develop your career competencies. Get involved to deepen your understanding of an industry and help you decide if a job in this field is of interest to you. Planning your experience can feel daunting, so check out some industry specific ideas both on and off campus below. As you plan, meet with the Advising Hub to discuss your major and academic interests to ensure you’re on track for your academic plans as well.

Activities

Colorado College Clubs: SoCC Sounds of Colorado College. Any club in which you can gain additional writing experience is a bonus!
Check out and consider contributing to the CC student publications: The Catalyst, Leviathan, Cipher, Cutler Publications, The Monthly Rag, Colorado College Outdoor Journal.
On-Campus Job Examples: Student Writer, Communications Student Advisory Council or Communications Contributor, The Monthly Rag Content Creator or Editor, Communications Intern, Student Podcast Producer.
Any experience, whether that be a club or job, in which you can gain skills in teamwork, marketing, communication, and problem-solving skills can be a valuable way to grow.

Academic Recommendations

Consider a major and minor that will enhance your reading and writing skills such as Comparative Literature, English, Sociology, and Journalism. You can also consider a major in a subject area you are passionate about paired with a minor in journalism, which could guide your future writings.
Graduate school can be a good next step, however not always necessary. It is important to have experiences to help narrow down your area of interest. If you are interested in graduate school, ensure to start preparation early, such as identifying programs of interest, knowing admission requirements, and talking to faculty and the Career Center about your interests.
- Search for graduate school programs through databases such as Princeton Review
- Some common graduate programs related to journalism and publishing include: advanced degrees in Journalism, Data Journalism, Sports Communication, and Publishing and Writing.

Professional Development

In this industry, having a portfolio of articles or “clips” that you have written or published is important. You can organize these clips or articles through a portfolio. Check out these platforms to create a digital portfolio: Weebly, Wordpress, Wix, Carbonmade, Behance, Squarespace
Consider self-publishing your work.
Connect with alumni! Alumni can be a great resource to learn more about the industry. You can find alumni through LinkedIn or TigerLink, CC’s networking platform.
Check out courses on LinkedIn Learning. Everybody with a Pikes Peak Library card has access to LinkedIn Learning courses for free. There are many courses about journalism and publishing.

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CURIOUS TO LEARN MORE

Associations: Association for Women in Communications, National Association of Black Journalists, Society of Professional Journalists, Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Association of American Publishers, National Press Photographers Association, Society of American Travel Writers, Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists, National Association of Hispanic Journalists, Broadcast Education Association
Additional groups: Journalism and Women’s Symposium, Alliance for Women in Media
List of Media Diversity Organizations
Read career guides on The Vault. These guides provide valuable insight into the industry, helpful resources, and detailed information about specific careers.

Contact the Career Center

CareerCenter@ColoradoCollege.edu
719.389.6893
Physical Address: 1130 N. Cascade Avenue, Morreale House, Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Report an issue - Last updated: 11/19/2025