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OVERVIEW

The Journalism Department offers practical news experience and academic preparation for students entering the workforce or seeking transfer to four-year institutions. We offer both AA and AA-T degrees that provide foundational training in journalism. Our journalism students embrace multimedia as an essential part of storytelling.

Taking journalism courses or majoring in journalism can help you sharpen your skills in critical thinking, analysis, research, public speaking, marketing and of course — writing.

As the journalism industry continues to evolve, Laney College can help prepare you for a fulfilling academic or work trajectory that isn’t limited to a newsroom!

A journalism degree offers a diverse range of career opportunities across various media platforms, including print, broadcast, digital, and multimedia outlets. Here are some potential career paths for individuals with a degree in journalism:

  1. Reporter/Journalist: Reporters gather information, conduct interviews, and write news stories for newspapers, magazines, television, radio, and online media outlets. They cover a wide range of topics, from local events and politics to sports and entertainment.
  2. News Anchor/Presenter: News anchors or presenters deliver news broadcasts on television, radio, or online platforms. They report on breaking news, conduct interviews with guests, and provide commentary on current events.
  3. Broadcast Journalist/Correspondent: Broadcast journalists report news stories for television, radio, or online video platforms. They may cover local, national, or international events, conduct live reports from the field, and contribute to news programs and documentaries.
  4. Multimedia Journalist (MMJ): Multimedia journalists produce news content across multiple platforms, including print, digital, video, and social media. They write articles, shoot and edit video footage, and engage with audiences through interactive storytelling techniques.
  5. Photojournalist: Photojournalists capture images that tell compelling stories and accompany news articles in newspapers, magazines, websites, and multimedia platforms. They may cover a wide range of subjects, including politics, culture, sports, and human interest stories.
  6. Editor/Managing Editor: Editors oversee the editorial process for newspapers, magazines, websites, or broadcast news programs. They assign and edit stories, set editorial priorities, manage staff, and ensure that content meets quality and journalistic standards.
  7. Digital Content Producer/Editor: Digital content producers and editors create and manage content for online news websites, blogs, social media platforms, and digital publications. They may write articles, produce videos, curate multimedia content, and engage with online audiences.
  8. Investigative Journalist: Investigative journalists conduct in-depth research and reporting to uncover corruption, injustice, and wrongdoing in government, business, and society. They may work independently or as part of investigative journalism teams within media organizations.
  9. Foreign Correspondent: Foreign correspondents report on international news and events from different regions of the world. They may cover conflicts, humanitarian crises, political developments, and cultural trends, providing insights and analysis for global audiences.
  10. Data Journalist: Data journalists analyze and interpret data sets to identify trends, patterns, and insights that inform news stories and investigations. They use data visualization tools to present information in engaging and accessible formats for audiences.
  11. Freelance Journalist: Freelance journalists work independently, pitching story ideas and articles to various media outlets on a freelance basis. They may contribute to newspapers, magazines, websites, and broadcast programs on a wide range of topics.
  12. Media Producer/Director: Media producers and directors oversee the production of news programs, documentaries, and multimedia content for television, radio, online platforms, and streaming services. They manage production teams, develop content strategies, and ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget.

The Citizen

The Citizen is the only student-run publication of the Peralta Community College District. When you enroll in Journalism 18, you become a staff writer who gets the opportunity to cultivate and write stories about the Peralta community and beyond! Students can also take on a leadership role as an editor, working with their colleagues to create and promote content.

You can take Journalism 18 for up to four semesters while you collaborate with other student journalists, learn to work on deadline and build your portfolio.