PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

A flair for writing; ability to express ideas lucidly and concisely; open-mindedness; unbiased approach; curiosity; wide-ranging interests; sensibility to atmosphere; an instinct for a story's newsworthiness; ability to sum up people and situations quickly; tact; ability to draw people out;
resourcefulness; resilience; ability to sift relevant facts from irrelevant information; stamina; courage; willingness to work hard at irregular hours and on holidays; dedication; staying power.

TRAINING

Formal training is not absolutely necessary to embark on a career in journalism. Many large newspapers and magazines prefer to induct fresh graduates from a variety of disciplines and give them vocational training. Dedication, and certain in-born abilities are, however, necessary, as journalism is more of a vocation than a career.

INSTITUTIONS

Courses in journalism are offered by various institutions around the country. These are usually conducted in English or Hindi and are often part of a wider programme in mass communication studies. Some universities offer degree courses in journalism at undergraduate or post-graduate level.

ELIGIBILITY

Varies with the institution. Generally a BA degree in any discipline is the minimum qualification for entry.

DURATION OF TRAINING

Varies. Usually for one academic year.

ACADEMIC PROGRAMME

Includes all aspects of communication and print and electronic journalism. Many courses also include some period of internship with a publication. The majority of courses offer a diploma in
journalism-but training at a few universities can be taken upto post-graduate level.