The news doesn't wait for anyone, so reporters have to be quick and find the news while it is still relevant to be presented to the public. Reporting is not just about good writing, although that’s very important. A large portion of the reporter’s day is spent investigating the news before sending in the story. They must have excellent writing skills that allow them to tailor a news story to fit a specific kind of media in a short amount of time. Reporters must have excellent language skills and have the ability to communicate with people.

News correspondents also need to be fast learners. Once hired, beginner news reporters do most of their training on the job, moving from one department to another to get different types of experience. Adaptability is a necessary trait to have in order to deal with the pressure of many jobs. A novice reporter might start with obituaries or report on local police news before being assigned to more important events.

Early journalistic training can begin early; working on a high school newspaper or yearbook is a great source of experience. There are also many opportunities for college students to work as interns for newspapers or magazines. Many colleges offer courses in journalism but these students find it hard to compete with those who have a bachelor's degree in journalism.