News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists

Also called: Anchor, Anchorman, Art Critic, Basketball Commentator, Blogger

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News analysts, reporters, and journalists narrate or write news stories, reviews, or commentary for print, broadcast, or other communications media such as newspapers, magazines, radio, or television. May collect and analyze information through interview, investigation, or observation.

Write commentaries, columns, or scripts, using computers.
Coordinate and serve as an anchor on news broadcast programs.
Examine news items of local, national, and international significance to determine topics to address, or obtain assignments from editorial staff members.
Analyze and interpret news and information received from various sources to broadcast the information.
Receive assignments or evaluate leads or tips to develop story ideas.
Research a story's background information to provide complete and accurate information.
Arrange interviews with people who can provide information about a story.
Gather information and develop perspectives about news subjects through research, interviews, observation, and experience.
Select material most pertinent to presentation, and organize this material into appropriate formats.
Present news stories, and introduce in-depth videotaped segments or live transmissions from on-the-scene reporters.
Establish and maintain relationships with individuals who are credible sources of information.
Report news stories for publication or broadcast, describing the background and details of events.
Revise work to meet editorial approval or to fit time or space requirements.
Review and evaluate notes taken about news events to isolate pertinent facts and details.
Investigate breaking news developments, such as disasters, crimes, or human-interest stories.
Review written, audio, or video copy and correct errors in content, grammar, or punctuation, following prescribed editorial style and formatting guidelines.
Report on specialized fields such as medicine, green technology, environmental issues, science, politics, sports, arts, consumer affairs, business, religion, crime, or education.
Determine a published or broadcasted story's emphasis, length, and format and organize material accordingly.
Transmit news stories or reporting information from remote locations, using equipment such as satellite phones, telephones, fax machines, or modems.
Check reference materials, such as books, news files, or public records, to obtain relevant facts.
Discuss issues with editors to establish priorities or positions.
Photograph or videotape news events.
Present live or recorded commentary via broadcast media.
Take pictures or video and process them for inclusion in a story.
Conduct taped or filmed interviews or narratives.
Develop ideas or material for columns or commentaries by analyzing and interpreting news, current issues, or personal experiences.
Communicate with readers, viewers, advertisers, or the general public via mail, email, or telephone.
Write online blog entries that address news developments or offer additional information, opinions, or commentary on news events.
Assign stories to other reporters or duties to production staff.
Write columns, editorials, commentaries, or reviews that interpret events or offer opinions.

Work Context

Time Pressure —
Electronic Mail —
Contact With Others —
Freedom to Make Decisions —
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate —
Telephone —
Face-to-Face Discussions —

Work Activities

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Detailed Work Activities

Write informational material.
Report news to the public.
Coordinate reporting or editing activities.
Determine presentation subjects or content.
Analyze information obtained from news sources.
Analyze information obtained from news sources.

English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Communications and Media

Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

Law and Government

Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Speech Clarity

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Oral Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Oral Comprehension

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Written Comprehension

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.

They do well at jobs that need:

Achievement/Effort

Persistence

Initiative

Leadership

Cooperation

Concern for Others

Social Orientation

Self Control

You might use software like this on the job:

Video creation and editing software

Adobe Systems Adobe AfterEffects
YouTube
Video editing software
Apple Final Cut Pro

Data base user interface and query software

Microsoft Access
Microsoft SQL Server
Statistics databases
Online databases
FileMaker Pro

Spreadsheet software

Microsoft Excel

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