How do I become an editorial journalist?

Question

I want to become a journalist/columnist working for the editorial department of a newspaper. I want to use my writing to think, not just to report.

I actually have a series of questions, but they all surround the topic of becoming an editorial journalist:

1) Will I be considered qualified for a position like this if I get a bachelor's degree in the liberal arts/philosophy/humanities, and then a master's degree in journalism?

2) Would it be better to get both bachelor's and master's degrees (or just a bachelor's) in journalism?

3) Would getting a doctorate degree help me in getting the job I want?

4) Are there any activities I can do during my last years of high school/ throughout college to help boost my resume in this area?

Thanks!

Answer 1

To answer your questions in the order you asked them:

1.  Those would be excellent credentials for an entry-level position.

2.  Either one.  Journalists have degrees in many subjects, not just English or journalism.

3.  Definitely not required.

4.  Write a lot!  Write for your high school paper.  See if you can get a job as a stringer for a local daily or weekly, even if it's unpaid.  Write for your college paper.  While in college, do anything you can to get a summer reporting internship at a large paper.  Cultivate job sources whenever you get the chance.  

But most importantly, I should tell you that most editorial writers have spent a long time in the trenches, and for good reason.  Doing a lot of reporting gives you insights that you would not have if you tried to go straight to the editorial page.  So plan on spending a number of years doing local news reporting.  Write some features.  The more you do this, the stronger your skills will become.

And finally, be aware that job openings are very scarce.  Whether they'll improve by the time you get out of college is anybody's guess, but you should assume that you'll probably be starting your career at a small local paper.