Online Journalists

Some journalists believe it is easier to move through the ranks as an online journalist than as a traditional journalist working for a newspaper, TV station, or radio station. One reason for this is that online journalism is a relatively new and growing field offering many opportunities. Advancement will also depend on an individual's goals. A salaried journalist may consider it an advancement to do freelance work full time. A full-time freelancer may advance by publishing more articles and expanding his or her client base. Other advancements may mean a shift in career focus away from journalism. For example, an online journalist can advance from a writer to a content developer for a Web site. Another online advancement can include moving up to the position of editor or communications director, or working in multimedia and utilizing creativity and writing skills as a creative director.

Some online journalists advance their careers by transferring to the print medium and working their way up the ranks of a newspaper or magazine.