Individual Career Growth Plan - Essay Example

? Individual Career Plan Individual Career Plan Each and every person is governed by the essential components that they love to invest in for a very long time. This is what forms a career path for very many people all over the world. Careers are formed from hobbies, education and training, early exposure and in many instances, interaction. The aspect of career choices depends on interests that the particular individual chooses. The field of journalism and mass communication is a combination of very many factors and activities. They are all rolled up to ensure that all aspects are explored and communicated. The timely fashion that is required during all journalistic encounters ensures that events are relayed and communicated in the best possible way. This is the only way that all events and activities witnessed are communicated to all parties in the best possible way. Packaging is necessary in the field of journalism. This is because proper packaging ensures that all the information collected is as palatable as possible (Kobre 2008). The role of journalism cannot be ignored in any given society. This is because, at each and every point, the public interest in what is happening all over the world is very high. This is possible because of the aspects of journalism that look into the events all over the world. The coordination of information and pictures is able to communicate all the needed information about a situation. The condensation of information and pictures about any situation totals to journalism. This is the only way that the public is aware of their surroundings. Photojournalism Photojournalism is one area in the entire field of journalism. Each new story has the sole aim of communicating information. For it to appeal to all the involved parties, it is accompanied by still pictures and images that complement the story (Kobre 2008). As compared to all other forms of photography, photojournalism has been stipulated to follow certain ethical and pictorial considerations. They are entitled to remain as ethical and impartial to communicate the specifics of what should be reported. They complementary role that photojournalism plays has been reported to bring any story alive. Many people that have been interviewed in many researchers conclude that they watched and participated in news surveys as a result of what they watch. This is as compared to what they hear (Kobre 2008). Many life events were reversed as a result of what images were relayed to accompany a story. There are very many examples that show what the research concluded. The genocide in Rwanda in 1994 and the civil war in Sudan got worldwide attention as a result of chilling images that accompanied the stories. These are some few random examples from all over the world in line with the effects of photojournalism. It is imperative that, at each and every point the aspects of photojournalism should be governed by timeliness, narration and objectivity. This means that all pictures and images should be timely in how they complement the story line. This is through the introduction of a cutline. The images and pictures should also be very objective in the sense that the pictures should have a high sense of what the story line is about. Without the connection, they will be of absolutely no benefit to the story. The connection between the pictures and the story line is through the introduction of a narrative. Narration ensures that the audience is able to relate the story and picture. This creates a perfect view for all those that are watching (Kovach 2007). Job Description and Skills Profile Photojournalism entails the use and application of photographic equipment. The equipment has the ability to capture images as they appear. Once a photojournalist is in the zone, the camera is zoomed to view all aspects of what is being filmed. It is necessary for the journalist to zoom and project the image from all the necessary angles. Aspects of creativity come into sharp focus as any form of angle alteration could lead to the complete misrepresentation of facts, figures and events. Once the images have been captured, the undergo scanning. Scanning ensures that it is possible to understand what was collected and what was not collected (Kovach 2007). This is to ensure that all the necessary details about a situation have been captured. Editing is the most crucial part of photojournalism. This is because of what it entails. It requires a lot of patience to view all the rolls of film that have been shot to ascertain their quality and relevance. Once this has been done, the picture quality of what has been selected is viewed to ensure that it meets all the set standards. After high quality pictures have been achieved, the pictures are framed to await the accompaniment of the voice story. This complements the entire broadcast especially in pre screening processes. In other instances, the formations of catchy cutlines are incorporated into the final, still image. It is crucial for a photojournalist to have a keen observation for details. This is one of the most essential skills that are needed for the job. Any person can film anything with the guidance of set directions. What sets apart a photojournalist and any other person filming is the details that he captures with the use of the camera. Details can either be in the form of words or actions by the person, thing or situation being filmed. These details are what make news in any instance or situation. The agility to swing into action in any situation has also been considered a skill that is needed for this profession. This means that all the activities that are covered with the camera should be captured when and where they happen. Most of the conditions and situations are not very favorable. They include running, alteration of the body to ensure that the best angle of what is being filmed is captured. Many of the photojournalists report that the risk that they experience most is the danger that accompanies their job. Most of them are normally trapped in situations and circumstances that are risky for their safety. Their physical health and sustainability is threatened by their profession. This is because the profession is able to tell a story without anyone speaking. Many people have witnessed pictures and images that have been displayed and they have been able to form a story of their own (Kovach 2007). A good example of this is the stress that accompanies the photojournalist in areas of war, terror, corruption and natural disasters. As a result of this danger, photojournalists should be courageous people. They should be ready and willing to do anything that furthers the course of their profession. This is with due consideration to the ethical codes that bind them. Integrity complements all the skills that are needed by the profession. They should be open minded to avert all situations that would hamper them from performing as they ought to be. All the skills that are needed for the profession can be imparted through formal training or other means. This means that, in each and every situation, it is possible to get the education and skills that are needed in this training. If an individual has the passion, they can be trained how to use the camera to the required standards. This entails taking the best pictures in any situation and weaving a story out of the pictures. This type of training coupled with the ethical codes that have been set for the profession ensure that the field of photojournalism has the ability to tell a story through the camera lens (Zavonia 2002). Personal Skills Audit Personal skills audit entail the thorough examination of one’s character in relation any of the professions in question. I have received formal training, which has enabled me, to be effective with the camera at all times. This has translated to the clearest of images and pictures that are capable of communicating a certain story to the viewers. The editing of the captured shots is also an addition in the skills and competencies that I have acquired. Editing requires the intelligence to know what is of the best quality to be screened for viewing and what has not achieved perfection. This is because in many instances and situations, what is captured may contain too many gory details. They could be too graphic for any group of people to view. It is the duty of an experienced hand to know how to do the editing without losing the story line or the intended impact of the picture to the audience. Scanning and framing are techniques that are taught to ensure that the right backdrops and colors are used to complement the images. The background is real in many if the images captured and projected but, the inclusion of certain factors and features ensures that they message is portrayed in the best possible way. Training has sharpened my professional mentality in regards to the above mentioned profession. The details I would have ignored on a normal day are sharpened by the fact that the selected type of journalism requires the skillful use of fine details. What I need to develop over the years is the strength to view certain issues and not let them get to my emotional side (Kobre 2008). Many at times, the field of photojournalism opens one’s eyes into many emotional, tragic and heart wrenching issues. It is important to remain as focus as one ought to be so as to effectively rely what is been captured without compromising viewing with one’s personal emotions. Professional Strategy The best strategy to employ in the field is the emphasis on what happens all around us from time to time. The success of failure of a story depends on the accompanying footage. To ensure that one remains relevant, it is important to film what the country, society and the world needs to see. This means that, at each and every point, there is a story that is breaking out somewhere. It is important to respect the story and present it to the viewers. They will always be the better judges in terms of what is relevant and irrelevant in terms of viewing. On many occasions, many photojournalists have ignored pictures and images because they do not meet their selection criteria. My strategy will include ensuring that the viewers and what they want to view in relation to what is happening all around them is taken into consideration. It should not matter where they are located. What matters is that there is a story that requires the attention of all the people in the world. A good example can be observed by the photojournalists that work for CNN. They break down borders, countries and tribes to ensure that they have filmed the best possible pictures and images in relation to what they have observed all over the world. Advantages There are very many perks that come from being associated with this profession. The aspect of travel, visualization and interaction cannot be ignored. This creates a rich array of interaction with all the parties involved. There are also very many life altering moments that are achieved through the observation of events through the lens. Being there to witness first hand as a story unfolds is the best thing to occur at each and every point in the profession. The aspects of incorporated integrity, patience and keen eye are also some of the advantages that are gained from the profession. Disadvantages The danger that comes with the job is one of the main disadvantages. At each and every step of the way, the life of a photojournalist is threatened by what he or she does. In many instances, the ethical dilemma is always in question. The battle over what to do in terms of work loyalty and conscience is also another battle. At each and every step, of the way there is a battle over what should be done in each and every situation and circumstance. It is important for a photojournalist to look within themselves and identify what they are doing. This will create a platform for them to know how they should be conducting themselves and its long term positive or negative benefits. The ever changing technology is also a huge disadvantage. This is because it requires the journalist to ensure that they are in the best possible form to use what is currently available for the best results (Zavonia 2002). References Kobre, K 2008, Photojournalism: the professional's approach, Bantam Books, New York. Kovach, B & Rosenstiel, T 2007, ‘The Elements of Journalism: What Newspeople Should Know and the Public Should Expect, Completely Updated and Revised’, retrieved from, www.journalism.org. Lin, GHC 2007, A case study of seven Taiwanee English as a foreign language freshman non- English majors' perceptions about learning five communication strategies, Dissertation.com Publishing, Florida. Zavoina, SC & Davidson, JH 2002, Digital photojournalism, Allyn & Bacon, New York. Read More