Journalism Teachers

Previous teaching experience (student teaching, etc.) is necessary to become a college or high school teacher. If you want to teach at the college level, it will take several years at the minimum to gain tenure and advance to the rank of professor, and you may need professional experience as a journalist. Many journalism teachers are seasoned pros who move into teaching for a career change or to share what they've learned.

Journalism teachers must respect their students as individuals, with personalities, strengths, and weaknesses of their own. They must also be patient and self-disciplined to manage a large group independently. Teachers should also be well organized, as you'll have to keep track of the work and progress of a number of different students.

If you aim to teach at the college level, you should enjoy reading, writing, and researching. Not only will you spend many years studying in school, but your whole career will be based on communicating your thoughts and ideas. People skills are important because you will be dealing directly with students, administrators, and other faculty members on a daily basis. You should feel comfortable in a role of authority and possess self-confidence.