Alfred Hitchcock must have understood the lure of a career as an international journalist. In his 1940 film Foreign Correspondent, main character Johnny Jones is sent off to prewar Europe to try and spice up the "dry reports" of the New York paper he writes for. The plot twists as "Scoop" Jones is thrust into the middle of a gigantic spy plot at the center of the war.

Getting Started Here are a few pointers if you are considering a career in international reporting. Get Some Experience Whether you are a student or a professional contemplating a career change, internships or pro bono writing is important. Not only will it allow you to make contacts in the field, but you will also develop a portfolio of clips. Write for your local paper, a newsletter from an organization you belong to or a professional association. Get published! Find Relevant Coursework Think about augmenting your knowledge with a few courses in international economics, new media technology, regional politics or business and finance. It is not a bad idea to also take an introductory writing and reporting course. There is a debate in the field about the necessity for a master’s degree in journalism; this is a personal choice for you to investigate based on your background and experience. Talk to People Do some "investigative reporting" about the industry. Reading the trades, doing informational interviews, exploring the Web and participating in career panels are great places to start!

A journalist's job is often viewed as glamorous and high-profile, especially when it involves international travel and reports from exotic places. But while living a life like Hitchcock’s Johnny Jones is exciting, international journalism can be a difficult field to break into, and one where choice assignments only come after years of hard work in the field. Understanding how the career path of an international correspondent develops is an important first step in deciding if it’s the career for you.

Large daily papers and major periodicals cover international news. However, news organizations like the New York Times or the Washington Post look for reporters and writers with at least five years of experience. Many reporters often start out with a small town or city paper, compile a portfolio of clips and learn all they can about the business before moving to a larger paper.

The truth is, a first job in journalism is rarely international or glamorous, and will likely involve reporting on local news. But have faith! Take the time to establish a reputation as a good writer and hard worker. Develop a background in international affairs or have some expertise in a particular region. When a position finally opens on the international desk -- you may very well have made yourself into the best candidate.

Not all newspapers can afford to have an international staff writer, so they may instead choose to depend on wire services for their copy. The Associated Press and Reuters have reporters worldwide writing for the newspapers and journals that subscribe to their service. These companies also offer possibilities for journalism jobs abroad, but reporters generally start out on the domestic side and then move over to do international coverage.

Still another alternative is to become a stringer, where you head overseas, start writing, and pitch your stories to wires or magazines. This is a quicker, albeit riskier, route to international media work. If this is the way you decide to go, it's best to get experience at a local publication, building up clips and establishing your credibility as a journalist, so that it will be easier to sell stories from abroad. You should also try to introduce yourself to a few organizations in the States that use freelancers before going abroad.

Also Check out:
The World on a String: How to Become a Freelance Foreign Correspondent by Alan Goodman, John Pollack and Wolf Blitzer. -Buy it!

Or Online: