Capstone: Create your own professional journalistic portfolio from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Capstone news report portfolio: the start!

You are now embarking on the important steps to create your own journalistic news report portfolio, which is be your Capstone final assignment. This journey will take you through the process journalists use to deliver the news to their audiences, providing a strong opportunity to display your skills honed during the Specialization Courses. You will start your portfolio here, through making your first choices: determining the topic and style for your news report.

Capstone news report portfolio: News gathering

Gathering of information for your Capstone news report is a critical step, as strong development and work at this stage will help produce a professional quality final product. You will gain experience and practice using news sources such as government documents, statistics, planning for interviews with people. You will plan your sources for your news report, and further your understanding of the newsgathering process.

Capstone news report portfolio: Interviewing sources

This may be the most challenging step of the process for some Learners! But we know you can do it. Journalists need to be strong interviewers - and listeners - in order to get the information, quotes and understanding needed to compile professional news reports. You will master the interviewing process, by developing your questions, ethically and effectively conducting the interviews, and then reviewing your content for your news report development.

Capstone news report portfolio: Assembling your news

This is the stage where you take all the research, interviews and facts and transform it into a news report for a public audience. You will execute, based on your own journalistic process, developing critical thinking skills, news judgment and the art of delivering ethical and effective news reports for your audience. It's sometimes easy, sometimes very challenging. Each news report is unique. Follow where your facts, news gathering and interviews take you.

Capstone news report portfolio: The final product!

Congratulations! You are almost to the finish line of this Specialization Capstone. We know you have come a long way in learning about journalism and how journalists work. Now it is your turn to present your work to our Coursera community. But first, you need to make sure your news report is ready for the world! You will present a draft to the learner community, receive the Learner peer feedback, and use it make the news report final! It is time for YOU to be the journalist, using your skills, ethics and standards honed during this Specialization. Your social media "Journalism" badge will also be unlocked for you within this course.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Builds a strong foundation for beginners, developing skills in conceptualizing news ideas, reporting, interviewing, researching, and compiling a news report for an audience

Offers hands-on labs and interactive materials, including interviews, research planning, and news report compilation

Strong reputation of the Michigan State Journalism team, known for their journalistic work and educational expertise

Reviews summary

Well-received journalism capstone

Learners say that this capstone is excellent and gave them a lot in just five weeks. They found the instructors to be fantastic and enjoyed the sessions. Students say the course was well put together and engaging. Peer-graded assignments were described as infuriating due to infrequent completion.

Learners said the instructors were fantastic.

"The faculty is fantastic and I got a lot in just 5 weeks."

"This course was very practical and instructive, you guided us by holding our hands and helped us write our own news step by step, thank you all instructors!"

Learners enjoyed engaging sessions.

"I enjoyed all sessions."

"A well put together specialization covers every area of the profession in an engaging and learner-friendly compilation."

Learners were frustrated by infrequent completion of peer-graded assignments.

"Waiting to complete courses because no one is grading assignments half the time, even though I grade theirs, gets old quickly."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Capstone: Create your own professional journalistic portfolio with these activities:

Review previous assignments and notes

Show steps

Refreshing your memory on previous course materials will help you stay on track and improve your understanding.

Show steps

Collect and organize materials from previous assignments.
Review notes and identify areas where you may need additional reinforcement.

Practice writing headlines and lead paragraphs

Show steps

Writing effective headlines and lead paragraphs is essential for capturing readers' attention.

Show steps

Review different types of headlines and lead paragraphs.
Identify the key points of a story and brainstorm potential headlines.
Draft and revise headlines and lead paragraphs for practice.

Watch online tutorials on journalism techniques

Show steps

Online tutorials can provide additional guidance and support on specific journalism techniques.

Show steps

Search for online tutorials on topics relevant to the course.
Watch and take notes on the tutorials.
Apply the techniques learned in your own journalism projects.

Five other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all eight activities

Write a summary or analysis of a current event

Show steps

Summarizing and analyzing current events will help you develop your critical thinking and writing skills.

Show steps

Review current events and select a topic.
Gather and synthesize information from multiple sources.
Organize and structure your summary or analysis.
Draft and revise your writing for clarity and accuracy.

Conduct mock interviews with peers or family members

Show steps

Interviewing is a fundamental skill in journalism, and practice will help you develop confidence and improve your technique.

Show steps

Prepare a list of questions to ask.
Schedule and conduct interviews.
Record and review interviews for self-assessment.

Create a personal portfolio of journalistic projects

Show steps

Creating your own portfolio will give you an excellent opportunity to showcase a collection of your work.

Show steps

Brainstorm and outline potential projects.
Gather and organize materials and resources.
Develop and execute a plan for each project.
Review and revise projects for accuracy and completeness.
Present your portfolio to peers and professionals for feedback.

Attend industry events or workshops

Show steps

Networking with professionals in the field can provide valuable insights and opportunities.

Show steps

Research and identify relevant industry events or workshops.
Attend the events and actively engage with attendees.
Follow up with connections made at the events.

Volunteer for a local news organization

Show steps

Gain hands-on experience and make valuable connections by volunteering for a local news organization.

Show steps

Research and identify local news organizations.
Contact the organizations to inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Attend training and orientation sessions.
Contribute to the news organization's activities.

Career center

Learners who complete Capstone: Create your own professional journalistic portfolio will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reporter

A Reporter researches, writes, and reports on news and current events. This course provides the essential skills and knowledge needed to be successful in this role, including how to gather information from multiple sources, write clear and concise stories, and adhere to ethical standards. Additionally, the opportunity to create a professional journalistic portfolio will help you stand out from other candidates when applying for jobs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Reporter

Broadcast News Analyst

A Broadcast News Analyst provides expert commentary and analysis on news events for television and radio broadcasts. This course will provide you with a strong foundation in journalism, including how to gather and analyze information, write clear and concise scripts, and present information in a compelling way. The opportunity to create a professional journalistic portfolio will also help you demonstrate your skills and experience to potential employers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Broadcast News Analyst

Journalist

A Journalist researches, writes, and reports on news and current events. This course will provide you with the essential skills and knowledge needed to be successful in this role, including how to gather information from multiple sources, write clear and concise stories, and adhere to ethical standards. Additionally, the opportunity to create a professional journalistic portfolio will help you stand out from other candidates when applying for jobs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist

Editor

An Editor reviews, edits, and prepares written material for publication. This course will help you develop the skills needed to be successful in this role, including how to write and edit clear and concise text, manage a team of writers and editors, and ensure that all content meets high standards of quality. Additionally, the opportunity to create a professional journalistic portfolio will help you demonstrate your skills and experience to potential employers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Editor

Public Relations Specialist

A Public Relations Specialist manages the public relations and communications activities of an organization. This course will provide you with the essential skills and knowledge needed to be successful in this role, including how to write press releases, manage media relations, and develop and implement public relations campaigns. Additionally, the opportunity to create a professional journalistic portfolio will help you demonstrate your skills and experience to potential employers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Relations Specialist

Marketing Communications Manager

A Marketing Communications Manager develops and implements marketing and communications campaigns for an organization. This course will provide you with the essential skills and knowledge needed to be successful in this role, including how to write marketing materials, manage public relations, and develop and implement marketing campaigns. Additionally, the opportunity to create a professional journalistic portfolio will help you demonstrate your skills and experience to potential employers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Communications Manager

Social Media Manager

A Social Media Manager develops and implements social media strategies for an organization. This course will provide you with the essential skills and knowledge needed to be successful in this role, including how to create social media content, manage social media accounts, and analyze social media data. Additionally, the opportunity to create a professional journalistic portfolio will help you demonstrate your skills and experience to potential employers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Media Manager

Content Writer

A Content Writer creates and writes content for a variety of purposes, such as websites, blogs, articles, and social media. This course will provide you with the essential skills and knowledge needed to be successful in this role, including how to write clear and concise text, conduct research, and optimize content for search engines. Additionally, the opportunity to create a professional journalistic portfolio will help you demonstrate your skills and experience to potential employers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Content Writer

Copywriter

A Copywriter creates and writes copy for a variety of purposes, such as advertisements, brochures, and websites. This course will provide you with the essential skills and knowledge needed to be successful in this role, including how to write clear and concise copy, conduct research, and optimize copy for search engines. Additionally, the opportunity to create a professional journalistic portfolio will help you demonstrate your skills and experience to potential employers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Copywriter

Freelance Writer

A Freelance Writer writes articles, blog posts, and other content for clients on a freelance basis. This course may be useful for those who want to learn how to write clear and concise text, conduct research, and optimize content for search engines. Additionally, the opportunity to create a professional journalistic portfolio may help you demonstrate your skills and experience to potential clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Freelance Writer

Technical Writer

A Technical Writer creates and writes technical documentation, such as user manuals, white papers, and training materials. This course may be useful for those who want to learn how to write clear and concise technical documentation. Additionally, the opportunity to create a professional journalistic portfolio may help you demonstrate your skills and experience to potential employers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Instructional Designer

An Instructional Designer creates and develops educational materials, such as online courses, training programs, and workshops. This course may be useful for those who want to learn how to write clear and concise educational materials. Additionally, the opportunity to create a professional journalistic portfolio may help you demonstrate your skills and experience to potential employers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Designer

Curriculum Developer

A Curriculum Developer creates and develops educational programs, such as school curricula and training programs. This course may be useful for those who want to learn how to design and develop educational programs. Additionally, the opportunity to create a professional journalistic portfolio may help you demonstrate your skills and experience to potential employers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Curriculum Developer

Educational Consultant

An Educational Consultant provides advice and guidance on educational matters to individuals, schools, and organizations. This course may be useful for those who want to learn how to provide advice and guidance on educational matters. Additionally, the opportunity to create a professional journalistic portfolio may help you demonstrate your skills and experience to potential clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Educational Consultant

Teacher

A Teacher teaches students in a classroom setting. This course may be useful for those who want to learn how to teach students in a classroom setting. Additionally, the opportunity to create a professional journalistic portfolio may help you demonstrate your skills and experience to potential employers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher