7 journalism careers beyond the newsroom

1. Social media content creator

Social media has become one of the primary ways people discover news and information. Social media content creators help organisations connect with audiences by adapting stories for different platforms, creating engaging content, and monitoring emerging trends.

In this role, you might create short-form videos, manage social channels, write captions, or identify opportunities to join important conversations online.

For journalism graduates, the ability to verify information, understand audiences, and tell compelling stories is a valuable advantage in a fast-moving digital environment.

2. Digital content producer

Content producers create the articles, videos, podcasts, and multimedia experiences that organisations use to engage their audiences.

Depending on the role, you might write website content, produce videos, record podcasts, develop social media content, or manage digital campaigns. As organisations continue to invest in digital communication, demand for skilled content creators continues to grow.

The practical storytelling skills developed through journalism studies can help graduates create content that is engaging, informative, and tailored to different audiences and platforms.

3. New media producer

Today's audiences consume news across websites, apps, social platforms, streaming services, and video channels. New media producers help deliver stories across these digital environments.

Working collaboratively with reporters, editors, and production teams, they research stories, pitch ideas, refine angles, and help create audience-focused content for a range of platforms.

For journalism graduates, this role offers an opportunity to combine traditional reporting skills with digital storytelling techniques.

4. Investigative researcher

Not every journalism graduate works as a reporter, but many continue to use their research skills throughout their careers.

Investigative researchers gather, verify, and analyse information to support projects across media, government, production companies, and community organisations. They may conduct interviews, review documents, analyse data, or help uncover new insights into complex issues.

For people who enjoy asking questions, following leads, and digging deeper into important topics, this career can offer a rewarding way to make an impact behind the scenes.

5. Digital strategist

Digital strategists help organisations understand how audiences engage with content online.

Using insights from audience behaviour, platform analytics, search trends, social media, and emerging technologies, they develop strategies that help content reach the right people at the right time.

Journalism graduates bring strong audience awareness, storytelling expertise, and an understanding of how people consume news and information across different channels.

6. Podcast producer

Podcasts have become a popular way for audiences to consume everything from breaking news to in-depth storytelling.

Podcast producers oversee the creation of a show from concept to publication. Depending on the role, they may research stories, organise interviews, manage production schedules, edit audio, or even produce video content for accompanying digital platforms.

The strong interviewing, storytelling, and production skills developed through journalism studies provide a solid foundation for this growing field.

7. AI news producer

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into media organisations, new specialist roles are emerging.

AI news producers use technology to help create news summaries, personalise content, identify trends, and support newsroom workflows. While AI can assist with production, human oversight remains essential to ensure content is accurate, ethical, and trustworthy.

For journalism graduates, this emerging field combines traditional journalistic principles with an understanding of new technologies shaping the future of media.

How journalism at UTS prepares you for these careers

At UTS, journalism students gain practical experience from the beginning of their degree.

Each semester, you'll produce stories, reports, and multimedia content that contribute to a professional portfolio. You'll also have opportunities to publish and broadcast your work through student and community media outlets such as U:Mag, Vertigo, and 2SER-FM.

Students are also invited to join Central News, UTS's dedicated multi-platform news service. Here, you'll put your skills into practice by producing text, audio, and video stories while receiving mentoring and support from experienced journalism professionals.

Beyond the classroom, you can connect with industry through networks such as Women in Media and the Walkley Foundation, and explore international perspectives through global exchange opportunities.

Whether you want to work in media, content creation, digital strategy, research, or emerging technology, a journalism degree can help you build the practical skills needed to navigate a rapidly evolving industry.