PIERCE - What skills were rated as most important in new hires

Basic Journalism Skills Remain Important in Hiring
Tamyra Pierce and Tommy Miller
Newspaper Research Journal 28 no4 51-61 Fall 2007
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Abstract
Newspaper editors said basic journalism skills were rated as most important in new hires, while computer-assisted and online reporting skills and the ability to write for a Web site rose in importance from their ranking in a 1990 study.

In 1990, the American Society of Newspaper Editors published a report that outlined what editors were primarily looking for in new journalists.(FN1) The results showed that most editors found writing skills, spelling/grammar and knowledge about journalism ethics to be the most important skills that new journalists should have after graduating.

Experience with computers and computer writing skills ranked the lowest.

However, over the past 16 years, the Internet has changed the face of journalism and is driving some journalism educators to re-evaluate what they are teaching their students. The primary goal of this study is to examine what skills newspaper editors most desire in new journalists and to determine whether these desires coincide with the changing environment of the industry and the changes that are taking place in many j-school programs.

Conclusion
In the early 1990s, computer skills were barely considered as important and the ability to write for multiple platforms was unheard of. In contrast, today's journalism graduate is walking into a field that is constantly changing because of technology and convergence. However, from the results of this study, although the industry is becoming more and more converged, the bask journalism skills remain the most important among newspaper editors.

Although computer skills rose on the list of importance, editors suggest these skills do not replace the foundations of journalism -- the basic skills of writing, spelling, grammar and critical thinking.


ADDED MATERIAL
Table 1 Skills/Experiences Editors Believe Educators Should Concentrate On When Preparing Journalists   -  Skills Mean

Write efficiently 4.40
Interview 4.38
Objectivity 4.30
Develop sources 4.22
Write a lead 4.08
Write a nut paragraph 3.93
Basics about Libel Law 3.87
Write about govt. meetings 3.81
Write about crime and civil trials 3.78
Write a profile 3.69
Copy editing 3.68
Use computer assisted reporting 3.37
Write for a Web site 3.08
Write headlines 3.08
Shoot news photos 3.01
Design pages 2.97
Write obits 2.96
Write narratives 2.80
Work with TV on packages 2.17
Report for live TV 1.97

N = 311
Averages based on a 5-point scale with 5 being the most important.


Table 2 What Editors Desire From New Employees Factors Important in Hiring Decision Mean

Quality of clips photos 4.26
General knowledge about journalism 4.21
Summer internships 4.08
References 3.85
College newspaper experience 3.65
Job interview 3.62
BA in journalism 3.47
BA in any area 3.42
Job inquiry letter 3.32
Computer reporting skills 3.08
Online reporting skills 2.92
Online journalism interest 2.89
Tryout 2.78
College GPA 2.71
Bilingual 2.69
Specific college attended 2.26
Master's in journalism 2.05
Partnership with TV packages 1.84
Master's in any area 1.82
Master's in any subject 1.63
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N = 321
Averages based on a 5-point scale with 5 being the most important.

NOTES (ed. GGA)

The debate between professionals and educators about what skills/knowledge are most important for graduates to possess has been ongoing for decades.
 

As a result, there are gaps between what educators and various media professionals believe. In the mid-1980s, studies revealed that many media professionals were displeased primarily with basic writing skills of new graduates. Specifically, Cowdin found professionals were not satisfied with graduates' writing skills and their lack of knowledge in areas in which they were writing stories.(FN2) In recent years, other studies have examined a variety of media professionals and educators to explore these gaps between the two. 

In 2000, Dickson and Brandon surveyed both educators and professionals to determine the reasons for the dissatisfaction among professionals.(FN3) Their results revealed that educators tended to believe conceptual courses (theory, law, ethics, etc) were the most important courses j-students should be taking.
 

However, newspaper professionals believed that courses such as these did little to prepare students for careers in the industry.
 

Instead, newspaper editors believed that skills courses (reporting, online writing, etc) were more valuable and better prepared students. In contrast, broadcast educators aligned with professionals in rating grammar, spelling and punctuation to be the most important skills for undergraduate j-students.(FN4)
 

Aside from the basic writing skills, Hudson also found that radio and television news professionals looked for specific skills in new employees.(FN5) 

For instance, radio professionals sought those who had skills in news writing, reporting and announcing. 

Similarly, television news professionals also rated specific skills as vital: "news reporting, news writing, video equipment skills, television announcing and reporter internships."(FN6)
 

Although broadcast media and educators have aligned in what they believe are important skills for j-school graduates, other media professionals and educators differ.