Role

Journalist

Researches and writes news stories, interviewing sources and explaining events clearly for an audience.

10 chaptersAbout 3–4 months15–30 min a day12 skills1 projects
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Chapter 1 is free. No card needed.

Day 1 on the Journalist path.

What a Journalist does

Finds and verifies information, interviews people, and writes clear stories that help the public understand what is happening.

  • Research story ideas by tracking events, documents, and public records
  • Interview sources and ask follow-up questions to confirm key facts
  • Verify information using multiple sources and basic fact-checking methods
  • Write and edit articles with clear structure, context, and accurate quotes
  • Work with editors to refine angles, headlines, and story priorities
  • Follow ethics rules on fairness, privacy, and conflicts of interest
  • Publish updates quickly when new facts change the story

A day in the life

  1. Scan news tips, calendars, and feeds to pick stories worth chasing
  2. Make calls, send messages, and schedule interviews with sources
  3. Read reports and data, then cross-check details before writing
  4. Draft, edit, and file stories on deadline, then respond to editor notes
  5. Monitor reactions and publish corrections or updates when needed

Tools you will use

Writing tools: Google Docs, Microsoft WordResearch: search engines, public records databasesAudio: voice recorder apps, transcription toolsPublishing: content management systemsCommunication: email, messaging appsPlanning: calendars, task boards

Your plan

Chapter by chapter.

1~2 wks

See the work of a Journalist

StartFree
2~2 wks

Research and Critical Thinking

Skills
31–2 wks

Public-Records Story, a Data-Led Report

Proof
4~2 wks

Writing, Voice and Editing

Skills
51–2 wks

Meet people doing the work

People
6~2 wks

Story Planning and Publishing

Skills
7~2 wks

Communication and Sources

Skills
81–2 wks

Prepare for Journalist interviews

Interview
91–2 wks

Choose your route into journalism

Decide
10on your timeline

Apply for Journalist roles

Apply

By the last chapter

This is what you can show.

Things you've made

Public-records news story

Skills you can prove

12 skills, each rated on work you actually did.

People you've talked to

4 people who do the job, with a message ready for each.

Questions you can answer

17 interview questions and a mock interview, with feedback.

Credentials

2 credentials compared, so you can pick one, or decide you don't need one. None is required.

Ways in

There is more than one route.

Ways to study

  • Bachelor degree in journalism, communications, or a related field
  • Diploma or certificate in journalism, media, or digital publishing
  • Short courses in reporting, media law, and verification techniques
  • Degree in a subject area plus student media and reporting practice

How people get their first job

  • Join a student newspaper, radio, or online publication and publish weekly
  • Apply for newsroom internships or reporting placements
  • Start as a newsroom assistant or editorial assistant and learn workflows
  • Build a portfolio blog covering a local beat with consistent updates
  • Volunteer to write for community outlets or nonprofit newsletters

Life skills on this path: Networking · Job interviews · Job search

How the work is changing

What AI is doing to this role

How AI is changing this role · one of 6 tasks we track

Research and verify facts before publication

Sped up a lot

What AI does

AI searches records and flags claims that do not match.

Still yours

You decide what is solid enough to print. AI invents things.

Reviewed September 2026

In the app · Premium

The rest is in the app

  • How AI affects the other 5 tasks
  • Whether this job is growing or shrinking
  • How hard the first job is to get
  • Similar roles that are easier to get into
  • Updated every month, with sources
See it in the app →

How we rate a job →

Already working

Already a Journalist?

Plan your move to Reporter: 9 chapters that end with a strong case for your next review.

Grow in the role →

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Questions

Questions about this path

How long does it take to become a journalist with Welica?

The path is 10 chapters, 3–4 months at 15 to 30 minutes a day. You can go faster or slower; the plan moves with you.

Do I need a degree?

Not always. Common routes are bachelor degree in journalism, communications, or a related field, diploma or certificate in journalism, media, or digital publishing, short courses in reporting, media law, and verification techniques, or degree in a subject area plus student media and reporting practice.

What is free?

Chapter 1, See the work of a Journalist, is free for good. Premium unlocks the rest of the path.

Start the Journalist path.

Chapter 1 free. About 15 to 30 minutes a day.

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