"Smallville's" Chloe Sullivan shows us how much effort a journalist dedicates to their work.

Skills:
Journalism is a fast-paced filed – it’s about being in the know and quickly gathering information in order to present it to the public. That being said, I was presented with some very wise advice during the first year of my journalism degree – “Journalists are made not born,” which is true. As a journalist in training, I am a firm believer in the old adage “practice makes perfect.”

In order to write about her passion - politics, How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days' Andie Anderson, had to work her way up.

So what are the skills you need or need to develop as a journalist? A broad sense of knowledge is crucial. You may be interested in the lighter side of news such as magazine features, but you still need to have a good sense of what is going on around you in the world today even if it doesn’t interest you. Editors look for journalists who have a vast sense of knowledge.

Patience is also a virtue in journalism because it is an industry where you have to rely on others, whether it be trying to contact them in an effort to gain information or conducting interviews. Remember that while you have a job to do, so do others, and quite often you’ll find yourself working around other people’s schedules. That being said, the field of journalism is a fast-paced world so while patience is required,

Journalism can be an adrenaline thrill as investigative reporter Beth Turner from "Moonlight" shows.

there is also a sense of urgency in order to release news out there. Additionally, flexibility and organisational skills are also advisable. What a lot of people don’t realise is the amount of time and energy a journalist devotes towards their work. It is more than just simply writing a story, but something that requires contacting sources, researching facts and double-checking them to make sure they are true. Gathering information can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Sometimes even a week or a few months!

Confidence is also a must. This isn’t necessarily in a “hi-I’m-bold-and-really-friendly” type of confidence, but rather a cool, calm, collected, “I-may-be-quite-a-shy-person-but-I-know-what-I-am-doing-and-believe-in-my-capabilities-100-percent” type of confidence. Also required as a journalist are of course the basic skills – being able to spell, excellent sense of grammar, being able to form coherent sentences, and a sense of curiosity because stories are everywhere – they just need to be found.

The Devil Wears Prada's Andie Sachs, shows that it may be a bumpy road to get to where you want but often worthwhile in the end.

Training:
It’s hard to specify what training is needed to become a journalist for all the different parts of the world, but the general consensus is that you need at least a degree in Media and Communications, even better, a more specialised degree in Journalism. But in a field that is very competitive today, a degree is not enough. Editors also look for experience, and the best way to gain that is by doing as much voluntary work experience as you can. If you do it for long enough, you may be offered a cadetship or internship, which can then lead to a permanent position. It’s about getting your foot in the door, so don’t be afraid to branch out and don’t be picky. Local newspapers are always a good start. Remember that everyone has to start somewhere and that the only way is up.