Learning the ropes of journalism

Attending my first journalist classes on campus was an unforgettable experience and with that experience I learned what I like to call the barebone basics of journalism. So if you are an aspiring journalist, then this blog entry is for you!

Right off the bat, all journalists should follow the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics. The SPJ Code of Ethics serves as a guideline to follow for all forms of media. The four principles are to seek truth and report it, minimize harm, act independently, and be accountable and transparent. Following these guidelines helped me in the way I conduct myself as a reporter, interviewer, editor, and researcher.

Also, it's important to have the latest version of the Associated Press Stylebook. This is your guidebook to American news and feature writing and will be one of the main things every journalist will invest in as it is constantly updated to add new terms. I currently have two AP Stylebooks, and I am looking to invest in the new 2025-2026 version soon.

Next, make it a habit to write in third person for news and features. You are presenting facts and information in a way that does not involve your own personal opinions or beliefs. Writing in the third person also builds your credibility and trustworthiness to your story.

Which reminds me, don't forget that you are human! I cannot stress this enough because we are bound to make mistakes as new journalists. My early stories needed corrections after the stories were published and to most people that would seem like a bad thing, but I saw it as growth. It takes courage to be accountable for our mistakes and, as human beings, we are bound to make mistakes. It's just a matter of making those mistakes that build your character as a journalist.

Finally, it's also important to note that your mental health and wellbeing matter! Prioritize your basic human needs, like eating, staying hydrated, taking breaks, and following a decent sleep schedule while you pursue your career. I speak from experience on this. The amount of times I broke night trying to write articles or copy-edit stories, forgetting to eat or drink in-between interviews, or being completely focused on fact-checking that I lost track of time and, suddenly, morning became evening. I admit, I am a workaholic when it comes to journalism. So much so that I need to set alarms on my phone to remind me to take breaks or eat. Try to find that balance of work and life. I am still struggling to find a balance, but at least I am getting better at that now.

Hope you enjoyed these bite-sized chunks of journalist insight!