Travel Journalist: It is a dream of many people to travel the world. But have you ever wondered what it would be like when you get paid to travel? You must think about what could be a better job than this. Let’s get you started.
However, the reality is not that foolproof. You can actually get this as a travel journalist. A travel journalist is someone who travels to different places, explores them, studies their culture, and then writes about it.
The field of Travel Journalism has its own challenges. If you have a passion to travel and are ready to compromise on financial stability, then you can break into this career.
Who is a Journalist?
A journalist is a person who collects, writes, photographs, processes, edits, or comments on news or other topical information to the public. A journalist’s work is called journalism. Also, a journalist is a reporter.
As a report, journalist research writes, and reports on information in order to present using sources. This may entail interviewing, information-gathering, and/or writing articles.
Also, depending on the context, the term journalist may include various types of editors, editorial writers, columnists, and visual journalists, such as photojournalists (journalists who use the medium of photography).
READ ALSO: Journalist Interview Questions
Things to Consider Before you Choose to be a Travel Journalist
To help you make an informed decision, listen. We have put down a list of conditions you must consider before you sign in for the travel journalist job:
1. Get Ready for a Lot of Exertion
If you go out on a trip once every few months, you enjoy it a lot because it acts as a break from your regular schedule. However, when you work as a travel journalist there is no schedule because all you do is travel.
Also, it is mentally tiring too. Many times you will shift from place to place continuously which will restrict you from any kind of rest or comfort.
Also, you should be able to easily adapt to the changes in the environment and should be mentally prepared to get out of your comfort zone.
2. You May not Make a Lot of Money
It is a myth that travel journalists are paid a lot and the company they work for covers all their travel expenses.
The field of Travel Journalism doesn’t guarantee a lot of money especially at the start of the career and you can’t expect much pay because there will be thousands of people out there who would do your work for free.
Also, there is no stability in your income and your job. Many times companies need stories and the travel to inspire those stories is free of cost but you don’t get paid for your efforts.
And the budget for the trip is usually tight and you may have to pay for a lot of expenses made on the road.
3. You May Start Feeling Alone
Travel journalism is considered a ‘lonely profession’ because it is not always necessary that you travel with a team.
Also, travel alone, eat alone, stay in the hotel room alone and wander cities alone. You may start finding your job boring after a while.
Even when you are not traveling, you usually work alone from home.
Some Tips to Becoming a Travel Journalist
Below are some tips to becoming a travel journalist:
1. Choose the right course of study
You can go for a four-year general journalism degree at a top journalism school, which will certainly open doors.
OR (to save a boatload of money) consider an online writing course specifically for travel journalism (as well as travel photography) such as How to Become a Travel Writer, which can open the RIGHT doors.
2. A Degree is Unnecessary
If you’re looking for a steady-paycheck type of job, it can make a difference, as typically when a job opening is announced, often most applicants are those with journalism degrees and many years of experience that qualifies them.
3. Consider an Internship
Sometimes the best way into a staff job at a media outlet is to start as an intern. And although interns are often selected from an applicant pool filled with journalism or communications students, it’s not always the case.
Sometimes those with good writing skills, a passion for the job, and a positive and enthusiastic mindset will get the internship. It’s a great way to learn the ropes and build a network (see below) of industry contacts.
Also, sometimes you have to create your own internships. Thus, if a travel writing internship isn’t advertised, call an Editor at a publication (online or offline) that you’d like to work for and offer to be an intern.
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