Digital Journalism Pathway
A passion for the truth
Does your student have a passion for the truth? Are they open-minded and able to look at events from multiple perspectives? Then they may be well-suited for a career in digital journalism.
What journalists do
News analysts, reporters, and correspondents gather information, prepare stories, and make broadcasts that inform us about local, state, national and international events; present points of view on current issues; and report on the actions of public officials, corporate executives, special interest groups, and others who exercise power.
Gain real-world skills through project-based learning.
Stride Career Prep* has implemented project-based learning (PBL) into the curriculum, so that classwork mirrors what students will be doing in the workplace. With project-based learning, there’s little to memorize and repeat. Instead, students get a real-life problem to solve and work with a team to develop a creative solution.
Our Digital Journalism Pathway Curriculum in Detail
All our students take the core courses required for high school graduation in their state. The chart below shows the additional classes that students in the Digital Journalism Pathway take. You can see the rest of the curriculum by viewing the full course list.
| CAREER EXPLORATION COURSES These courses provide an opportunity for students to gain insight into potential careers. | CAREER FOUNDATION COURSES These courses are building blocks that prepare students for more specialized pathway courses. | CAREER PREPARATION COURSES These courses prepare students for industry-recognized certification exams. | OPTIONAL CAREER LEARNING COURSES While not required, these courses provide an opportunity for students to gain knowledge and skills that are useful in their chosen careers. |
| Arts, AV, Communications Explorations | Introduction to Journalism 1 Journalism: Investigating the Truth 2 | Introduction to Digital Media Digital Media: Producing for the Web Adobe Photoshop with Exam Prep OR T Adobe InDesign with Exam Prep | Web Design Introduction to JavaScript |
Get credentialed.
In a world where competition for jobs, pay increases, and academic success continues to increase, certifications provide a credible, third-party assessment of a student’s skills and knowledge of a given subject. Students in this pathway can prepare to take these industry-recognized certification exams:**
Get ahead of the competition.
We encourage students to jumpstart the job search by helping them create a professional résumé, cover letter, and profile on Tallo, the leading professional networking platform for Gen Z. Plus, they connect virtually to working business professionals and entrepreneurs through Nepris.***
| CAREER SKILLS CERTIFICATIONS These baseline certifications prepare students with domain-specific, entry-level job skills. | EMPLOYMENT READY CERTIFICATIONS These certifications indicate students have acquired skills needed to perform a job with little or no support. | EMPLOYMENT READY ADVANCED CERTIFICATIONS These certifications indicate students have earned one or more pre-requisite Employment Ready certifications and demonstrated advanced skills. |
| NOCTI Interactive Media NOCTI Visual Communications and Interactive Media Design | Adobe Certified Professional: – Visual Design (Photoshop) – Print & Digital Media Publication (InDesign) | Adobe Specialty Credential — Certified Professional: – Visual Design (Photoshop + Illustrator or InDesign) |
Find a school near you that offers the technical systems pathway.
Stride Career Prep programs with the Digital Journalism Pathway are available at tuition-free, K12-powered public online schools in the following states:
CALIFORNIA
California Virtual Academies
iQ Academy of California
Utah
Utah Virtual Academy
Don’t see your state? Check out the tuition-based option here in the Visual Arts Pathway. There are also tuition-free options in related fields like the Visual Arts Pathway!
Choose a career. Prepare for the future.
Students in this pathway can prepare for a wide variety of careers in the field of journalism, including:
Broadcast, Sound, and Video Technicians
Broadcast, sound, and video technicians set up, operate, and maintain the electrical equipment for radio programs, television broadcasts, concerts, sound recordings, and movies. Much of the projected employment growth for these occupations is due to recovery from the COVID-19 recession that began in 2020 and is likely to occur early in the decade. More companies are increasing their audio and video budgets so they can use video conferencing to reduce travel costs and communicate worldwide with other offices and clients.
2021 Median Salary
$49,050
Expected Job Growth Rate for 2020–2030
Much faster than average
Typical Entry-Level Education
Bachelor’s degree
This data reflects the information available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook on July 1, 2022. To learn more about this occupation, visit bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/broadcast-and-sound-engineering-technicians.htm.
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists
News analysts, reporters, and journalists keep the public updated about current events and noteworthy information. They report international, national, and local news for newspapers, magazines, websites, television, and radio. They conduct interviews and write stories or articles to be used in newspapers, magazines, and online publications. Because most newspapers and magazines have print and online versions, their content typically appears in both versions.
2021 Median Salary
$48,370
Expected Job Growth Rate for 2020–2030
Average
Typical Entry-Level Education
Bachelor’s degree
This data reflects the information available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook on July 1, 2022. To learn more about this occupation, visit bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/reporters-correspondents-and-broadcast-news-analysts.htm.
Writers and Authors
Writers and authors develop content for various types of media, including advertisements; blogs; books; magazines; and movie, play, and television scripts. Writers must establish their credibility with editors and readers through clean prose, solid research, and the use of sources and citations. Writers and authors select the material they want to use and then convey the information to readers. With help from editors, they may revise or rewrite sections, searching for the clearest language and phrasing.
2021 Median Salary
$69,510
Expected Job Growth Rate for 2020–2030
Average
Typical Entry-Level Education
Bachelor’s degree
This data reflects the information available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook on July 1, 2022. To learn more about this occupation, visit bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/writers-and-authors.htm.
FAQs
Educational requirements for audio and video, lighting, and sound engineering technicians vary from a high school diploma to a college degree, depending on the position. Broadcast technicians typically need an associate degree.
In high school, take college preparatory classes as well as writing and journalism courses. Work on your high school paper, yearbook, or broadcast station. You might look for an internship at your local newspaper, radio, or television station.
Learn more about course offerings in the other Stride Career Prep career fields.
Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
Learn more >
Business Management & Administration
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Criminal Justice & Community Services
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Education & Training
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Engineering & Manufacturing
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Health Sciences
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Hospitality & Tourism
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Information Technology (IT)
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Marketing
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Visual Arts & Communications
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*Stride Career Prep is a program for grades 9–12. Some schools offer career exploration in middle school.
**Many Microsoft®️ Office certificates can be earned after completing one course. Other certificates require more classes to be better prepared, and students who participate in the program for at least two years will have further preparation for certification testing.
***Opportunities vary by school; please visit your school page or check with your school counselor.