Here's how you can make yourself stand out as an aspiring journalist in a competitive job market.

Think creatively and embrace your unique writing voice. Meet your deadlines and practice good communication with your editors. Show your enthusiasm for their brand. And always be considerate and kind to sources, colleagues, editors, and publishers; it matters.

Read widely! Reading more helps in mastery of new vocabulary and having a great command of chosen language. Reading more expands scope of knowledge, enriches creativity and inspires thought process. This has been my secret for the past nine years of active writing. I actively read old and latest feature stories, columns, in magazines, newspapers and journals. Amateurs should do this repeatedly while writing their own pieces. It will help in honing their craft and standing out in chosen niche. Embracing technology is vital as it will help you catch up with latest industry trends like AI and leveraging on its benefits. Be consistent! Maintain good rapport with the editors. Expand your network! When your pitch is rejected, never give up!

During the COVID pandemic, I took advantage of digital platforms to hone my skills in reporting, interviewing and creating content online. After the COVID crisis, I landed my first gig and became a news producer/anchor on a major radio station in the Savannah Region of Ghana. So whatever you do, make sure you master your craft and keep learning because every field is dynamic and staying relevant means updating and honing your skills in the news around your craft.

One thing I’ve learned in the past week is how to use CapCut to edit and produce high quality videos for our company. Technology is fantastic and embracing and learning the new technologies in your area of work can help you reduce your time spent on simple projects.

Networking is nonnegotiable in journalism. Your networks serve as your primary source of information and relevant opportunities for professional and career growth. Network intelligently with people in your area of expertise and cultivate a big network of contacts.

Journalism is broad. From sports, data, science, health, political, economic/business, climate/environment to fact-checking, media literacy and other aspects, it’s crucial to specifically identify your interest and focus on that particular area. Continuously seek opportunities to develop your expertise and knowledge in your field and keep learning.