Is the correspondent a profession or a way of life?

Who is a correspondent? What does he do? What is good about this profession? How to become a correspondent? What skills and personal qualities do you need? Let's understand.

Who is a correspondent?

Deciphering the meaning of the word "correspondent", the explanatory dictionary of the Russian language T. F. Efremova gives us three options for an answer: it is the person leading with someone else's correspondence; The author of correspondence; Employee of the media.

As for the last definition, the explanatory dictionary of D.N. Ushakov describes it more precisely. According to this dictionary, the correspondent is not just an employee of a periodical, but the person who transmits information from the scene. Probably, that's why the opinion is widespread that the journalist "sits" in the publishing house, and the correspondent travels to the places to gather information.

To some extent this is so. A journalist is a broader concept than a correspondent. This is a universal specialist. He may well be a correspondent, but in general should be able to carry out not only the collection and processing of information, but also other types of journalistic activities.

What does the correspondent do?

Proceeding from the foregoing, the correspondent is a person who travels to the scene to interview, shoot a story, report. He can also participate in the editing of the finished material, write text for the transfer or articles, coordinate the work of the photographer and the operator.

Can be listed in the state or be a freelancer. In the second case, the correspondent is not bound to the editorial office and has the opportunity to work remotely.

Pros of the correspondent

1. There is a chance to gain fame. Although this advantage has its drawbacks.
2. A great opportunity to meet interesting people, make useful connections.
3. Active lifestyle. Correspondents often travel, they are always in the center of events.
4. The work is creative, interesting and certainly not boring.

Disadvantages of work correspondent

1. Work can be dangerous.
2. You can forget about a clear schedule. Sometimes there is a need to work on weekends and holidays, and overtime on weekdays is the norm. Sometimes you have to "break" to work on the call of the chief in the middle of the night.
3. Very fast rhythm of life. It is necessary to follow the events, find interesting material on time and be able to work in a stressful environment.
4. Over time, correspondents begin to search the material for the article. And even on weekends their brain does not shut off from work. Therefore, the correspondent is a lifestyle rather than a profession.

How to learn from a correspondent

You can graduate from the Faculty of Journalism or the Faculty of Philology, but in general 70% of media employees do not have a special education. The ability to write articles is far from the main thing in the correspondent's work. The ability to find useful information, conduct interviews, analyze some events is much more important.

However, the collection and processing of information, and even in time trouble - an occupation for an amateur. If this is not the case, then it will be unbearable to work as a correspondent.

In comprehending the interviewing skill, university lectures will also be of little use if a person does not feel interlocutor, is closed and can not boast of communicability.

As you can see, the correspondent is more a way of life than the ability to perform a number of professional tasks, and not everyone will do such a job.