Foreign correspondent assignments may take you to United Nations Headquarters in New York City.
Someone who wants to become a foreign correspondent has several ways to pursue this career. It is important to be aware that journalism is a competitive industry and foreign correspondent positions are hotly contested. Not least, this is because many media organizations are cutting their budgets and subsequently reducing the number of foreign correspondents they maintain, downsizing or eliminating foreign offices, and seeking syndicated material for foreign news coverage. This makes finding work more difficult than ever.
Foreign correspondents must be able to report events quickly and accurately.
Some people interested in a career in journalism start by going to school. Journalism programs are offered at various colleges and universities. A student who wants to become a foreign correspondent can take the course while working through internships and employment opportunities to gain work experience. Many journalists say that while journalism school can be valuable and a degree can help them land a job, practical experience is key and the sooner they start working, the better.
Attending journalism school can be a valuable experience for someone who wants to become a foreign correspondent.
After completing journalism school, a foreign correspondent candidate can apply to a specific news agency. It is not uncommon for it to be first placed locally and then transferred to an office abroad. Journalists who do not demand destinations are more likely to find a job they like. Instead of insisting on being published in a short list of places, someone who wants to become a foreign correspondent should indicate general interest. Having foreign language skills and travel experience also helps.
Other people choose to enter the market as freelancers. Some freelance foreign correspondents are graduates of journalism schools, while others have simply worked their way up the field to become foreign correspondents. Freelancers often move and file stories from their locations. With experience, a freelancer can eventually create stories that involve traveling to new places, using clippings and references as supporting evidence to show that they will be able to generate a good story.
Whether self-employed or not, anyone who wants to become a foreign correspondent should be prepared to always be on the lookout for the next story and topic of interest. It’s critical to stay several steps ahead to catch the latest news while also following social trends that can lead to longer, more expository pieces. Even when a journalist is not working on a specific job, he should be watching, writing, photographing, doing interviews, and gathering material for the next story.