What Is a General Assignment Reporter and How to Become One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

A general assignment reporter writes about and reports on various topics for a newspaper, news website, or television station. As a general assignment reporter, the story types you are reporting on can range from human interest to breaking news. Your assignments change on a regular basis, depending on the most pressing events of the day. Your primary duties revolve around finding content for your report. A general assignment reporter job is a great way to gain experience before becoming an editor, news director, or columnist. Most general assignment reporters earn a bachelor’s degree in journalism, communication, or a related field.

The primary qualifications for getting a job as a general assignment reporter are a bachelor's degree in a related field and some experience in journalism. Many general assignment reporters start with an internship at a newspaper, local television station, or college radio station before applying for this role. Many companies treat this role as one of the first steps of a career in journalism, so be sure to look at the requirements for other roles to determine if you should pursue any other degrees or certifications before becoming a general assignment reporter. Helpful traits include interpersonal skills, curiosity, logical thinking, and journalistic writing skills.