Journalism Professor

Impact: Educational and Societal

Educates and trains the next generation of journalists by teaching theoretical concepts and practical skills in areas such as news reporting, investigative journalism, media ethics, and digital tools. Conducts research, publishes scholarly work, and mentors students in their academic and professional development.

In their words

As a Journalism Professor, I find immense satisfaction in shaping the next generation of media professionals. The role demands a blend of practical industry knowledge and rigorous academic research, constantly evolving with the media landscape. Mentoring students and seeing their work published or broadcast is incredibly rewarding, though balancing teaching, research, and administrative duties can be challenging.
Composite

What the day looks like

People interaction: Extensive
Team vs solo: 50% Team / 50% Solo
Client facing: Sometimes
Impact visibility: High
Travel: Occasional travel for conferences, research, or field trips; sometimes international for specific programs.
Schedule flexibility: Flexible
Remote work: Hybrid
Typical work hours: 40-60 hours/week
Stress level: Moderate

At a glance

Median salary: $109,036
Entry-level: $67,000 - $85,000
Senior: $130,000 - $195,000
Growth by 2033: Overall employment of postsecondary teachers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations.
Demand: Growing
Freelance potential: Moderate
Salary growth potential: High, 90-130% growth from entry to senior
Typical student debt: $30,000 - $70,000

Skills you'll use

Hard skills

Curriculum Development
Academic Research
Media Production
Grant Writing
Data Analysis
Editorial Skills

Soft skills

Communication
Critical Thinking
Mentoring
Research
Adaptability
Public Speaking

Technical complexity: Very High

Tools you'll work with

Core tools

Adobe Creative Suite (software): Media production and editing
Academic Databases (e.g., JSTOR, LexisNexis) (software): Research and scholarly inquiry

Common tools

Content Management Systems (e.g., WordPress) (platform): Online publishing and course management
Digital Audio/Video Recorders (hardware): Field reporting and multimedia content creation

Niche tools

Social Media Analytics Tools (software): Audience analysis and digital strategy

How to get there

Minimum education: Doctoral or Professional Degree
Licensing: No
Years to mid-career: 7
Years to senior: 15
Career switching: Moderate

Where this career leads

How people arrive here

Senior Journalist: Transitioning from extensive industry experience to teaching and research.
Media Consultant: Leveraging expertise in media strategy and communication to educate students.

Where you can go from here

University Administrator: Moving into leadership roles within academic institutions, such as department chair or dean.
Educational Program Developer: Designing and implementing new curricula or educational initiatives in media studies.

Typical progression

Assistant Professor
Associate Professor
Full Professor
Department Chair/Dean

Future outlook

Automation probability: Low, as the role requires complex human interaction, critical thinking, and creative research that are difficult to automate.
AI disruption risk: Moderate
Demand trend: Growing

How people feel about it

Overall satisfaction: 8/10
Meaning: 8.5/10
Work-life balance: 7/10
Prestige: 8.5/10
Social perception: High

Find your community

Professional organisations

Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC): Leading academic association for journalism and mass communication educators and scholars.
Online News Association (ONA): World's largest association of digital journalists, offering training, networking, and career resources.

Podcasts and media

Journalism Studies (Journal): Peer-reviewed journal covering research on journalism in all its forms.

Reddit communities

r/Professors: Online community for university and college professors to discuss academic life.