Unit Group (L4) 2642

2642 — Journalists

Browse this Unit Group profile and explore linked occupation titles.

L4 CODE: 2642
2 PROFESSIONALS → 26 Legal, Social And Cultural Professionals → 264 Authors, Journalists and Linguists
Summary
Journalists (KeSCO 2642) supports outcomes in the Social Sciences, Creative & Media sector by applying job-specific knowledge, standards, and tools to deliver quality services or outputs. Duties and complexity vary by employer, work setting, and seniority level, but the occupation generally requires reliability, competence, and continuous learning.
Minimum entry
Diploma or Bachelor’s degree
Future outlook
Future trends such as digital transformation, automation, climate resilience, and changing consumer needs are shaping most occupations. Workers who continuously upskill (digital literacy, quality standards, safety, customer service, and modern tools) are more resilient and competitive.
Sectors
Social Sciences, Creative & MediaProfessional ServicesPublic SectorPrivate SectorNGO/DevelopmentSpecialised Practice
Description
Journalists (KeSCO 2642) supports outcomes in the Social Sciences, Creative & Media sector by applying job-specific knowledge, standards, and tools to deliver quality services or outputs. Duties and complexity vary by employer, work setting, and seniority level, but the occupation generally requires reliability, competence, and continuous learning.
Employment prospects
Prospects depend on national and county demand, sector investment, policy priorities, and supply of trained workers. Job seekers improve prospects by gaining practical experience, building a portfolio or track record, earning relevant certifications, and being flexible on location and sub-sector.
Tasks
  • Plan and prioritise daily work activities to meet targets and deadlines
  • Follow workplace procedures, standards, and relevant regulations
  • Carry out core job duties accurately and safely
  • Use job tools/equipment/software correctly and maintain them appropriately
  • Communicate progress, issues, and requirements with supervisors and colleagues
  • Serve clients/customers professionally and resolve routine queries
  • Document work completed, maintain records, and submit routine reports
  • Identify errors, risks, or service gaps and propose improvements
  • Work as part of a team and coordinate tasks across units
  • Maintain confidentiality and ethical conduct where required
  • Comply with occupational safety and health (OSH) guidelines
  • Participate in training, mentoring, or continuous improvement activities
Skills
Communication (verbal and written) | Teamwork and collaboration | Problem-solving and critical thinking | Time management and prioritisation | Attention to detail and accuracy | Customer service orientation | Integrity and ethical conduct | Adaptability and continuous learning | Decision-making and judgement | Documentation and record-keeping | Digital literacy (basic) | Safety awareness and compliance mindset
Core skills
  • Communication (verbal and written)
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Problem-solving and critical thinking
  • Time management and prioritisation
  • Attention to detail and accuracy
  • Customer service orientation
  • Integrity and ethical conduct
  • Adaptability and continuous learning
  • Decision-making and judgement
  • Documentation and record-keeping
  • Digital literacy (basic)
  • Safety awareness and compliance mindset
Technical skills
  • Use of hand and power tools safely
  • Installation, maintenance, and repair procedures
  • Reading drawings/specifications and measurements
  • Troubleshooting and fault diagnosis
  • Quality control and workmanship standards
  • Equipment handling and preventive maintenance
  • Workplace safety and PPE usage
  • Basic electrical/mechanical principles (as relevant)
  • Material handling and storage
  • Site readiness and task planning
  • Compliance with standards and inspections
Transferable skills
  • Leadership and supervision (as one progresses)
  • Negotiation and stakeholder management
  • Conflict resolution
  • Presentation and public speaking
  • Creativity and innovation
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Planning and organisation
  • Resilience and stress management
  • Service mindset and empathy
  • Networking and relationship building
  • Analytical thinking
  • Professionalism and work discipline
Certifications
  • Trade test / competency certification (where applicable)
  • Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) certification (strongly recommended)
  • Equipment-specific operator certification (where applicable)
  • First Aid certification (recommended in many workplaces)
Education
Specialised degree in the relevant discipline | Graduate internship/attachments where applicable | Professional registration/licensing where regulated | Experience-based progression into senior/specialist roles
Pathways
  • Specialised degree in the relevant discipline
  • Graduate internship/attachments where applicable
  • Professional registration/licensing where regulated
  • Experience-based progression into senior/specialist roles
Relevant courses
  • Diploma/Certificate in Electrical/Electronics Engineering
  • Diploma/Certificate in Mechanical Engineering
  • Civil/Construction Technology
  • Welding and Fabrication
  • Plumbing and Pipefitting
  • Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
  • Automotive Mechanics
  • Plant/Machine Operation
  • Occupational Safety and Health (OSH)
  • CAD/Draughting basics
Institutions
  • Universities (accredited public and private universities offering relevant programmes)
  • National Polytechnics and TVET institutions (diploma, certificate, artisan programmes)
  • Technical Training Institutes and Vocational Centres
  • Professional Colleges and Accredited Training Academies
  • Sector Training Authorities and Recognised Centres of Excellence
  • Employer-based Academies and Apprenticeship Programmes
  • Online Learning Platforms (supplementary; verify recognition for regulated fields)
  • Industry Associations and Professional Bodies (short courses/CPD)
Minimum requirements
  • Minimum education: Diploma or Bachelor’s degree
  • Basic literacy and numeracy (reading, writing, and basic calculations)
  • Good conduct, reliability, and professional behaviour
  • Ability to follow instructions, procedures, and workplace rules
  • Basic digital literacy where the role uses computers/phones
  • Physical/medical fitness where the role is physically demanding or safety-sensitive
  • Regulatory registration/licensing where required (profession-dependent)
  • Background checks/clearance for sensitive roles where applicable
Work context
Workplace policies | Team collaboration | Quality standards | Professional environment | Standards compliance | Reporting
Where they work
  • Public sector institutions, private companies, NGOs and community-based organisations depending on the sector.
Work setting
Not specified.
Schedule
Full-time commonDaytime hours commonDeadlines possible
Employment type
Formal employment possible
Earnings
Entry level
KES 50,000 – 120,000
Mid level
KES 120,000 – 250,000
Senior level
KES 250,000+
Entry-level typical range (illustrative): KES 50,000 – 120,000 | Mid-level typical range (illustrative): KES 120,000 – 250,000 | Senior/experienced typical range (illustrative): KES 250,000+ | Earnings vary by employer (public/private), location, allowances, commissions, overtime, risk factors, and scarcity of skills
How to become one
Complete a degree in the relevant discipline, undertake internships or graduate programmes and meet any professional registration or licensing requirements.
Career progression
  • Entry/Intern → Junior Practitioner → Mid-level → Senior Specialist
  • Senior Specialist → Team Lead/Principal → Manager/Head of Unit (where applicable)
  • Some pathways include consultancy, research, training, or policy roles
Related occupations
  • Other occupations within the same KeSCO major group
  • Support roles in the same sector/industry
  • Supervisory roles related to this occupation’s work area
  • Specialist variants of the same occupation (where they exist)
Occupation titles
2642-26 — Freelance Journalist
Freelance Journalist is a professional responsible for formulating texts in accordance with prescribed editorial and formatting guidelines informing the client of assignmentrelated difficulties as they are detected ensuring that texts are properly researched maintaining originality in your work proofreading your assignments to detect and correct errors  submitting completed works via the requisite channels.
2642-12 — Information officer
Information officer is a professional responsible for answer inquiries about goods and services provide information about availability, location and price of goods and services respond to customer feedback and provide advice, information and assistance record details of any inquiries and complaints refer complex inquiries to team leaders or expert advisers issue relevant forms, information kits and brochures to interested parties.
2642-15 — Information officer
Information officer is a professional responsible for answer inquiries about goods and services provide information about availability, location and price of goods and services respond to customer feedback and provide advice, information and assistance record details of any inquiries and complaints refer complex inquiries to team leaders or expert advisers  issue relevant forms, information kits and brochures to interested parties.
2642-11 — Journalist
Journalist is a professional responsible for collecting and recording news or newsworthy material writing articles from notes taken, editing and presenting material in a clear, engaging style, often to tight deadlines attending press launches, courts and other events interviewing people by phone or in person responding to tipoffs, calls and news releases.
2642-18 — News Editor
News Editor is a professional responsible for design the contents of publications based on the company’s publication's style, editorial policy, and publishing specifications establish the publication standards and goals research and authenticate facts, dates, and statistics evaluate and approve design proofs submitted by the media room prior to publication production  recommend stories and produce headline ideas to attract our target audience.
2642-17 — Newspaper editor
Newspaper editor is a professional responsible for analyse and capitalize various attributes and requirements of print and digital media to strengthen editor’s position manage and produce news to present information with accuracy, flow, and within time frame design innovative and unique solutions to optimize routine news coverage monitor and use multimedia, nonlinear and alternative storytelling strategies to widen readership base.
2642-16 — Newspaper Reporter
Newspaper Reporter is a professional responsible for identifying newsworthy events and developments in their region of operation conducting research and writing scripts on topics prior to broadcasts  attending and reporting on events that are of interest to the public.
2642-13 — Press officers
Press officers is a professional responsible for preparing and writing articles and press releases handling enquiries from journalists and other media contacts via telephone calls, email and written correspondence arranging and organising events, interviews and press conferences liaising with media representatives and managers monitoring current affairs and coverage of the organisation within the media.
2642-14 — Press/Information Officer
Press/Information Officer is a professional responsible for preparing and writing articles and press releases handling enquiries from journalists and other media contacts via telephone calls, email and written correspondence arranging and organising events, interviews and press conferences liaising with media representatives and managers monitoring current affairs and coverage of the organisation within the media.
2642-27 — Radio Commentator
Radio Commentator is a professional responsible for  present music and information on radio shows or at venues  interview guests on their shows  research topics for comment and discussion during shows  read prepared scripts on radio shows  provide commentary for the audience during events.
2642-21 — Sports writer
Sports writer is a professional responsible for creates articles or copy content about sports events for digital and print media publications researching athletes, teams, and their stories attend press conferences, games, or other events held by sports organizations.
2642-22 — Sub editor
Sub editor is a professional responsible for writing, rewriting, editing and proofreading text making sure that house style is adhered to writing headlines, picture captions and story summaries editing reports and press releases verifying information and story details  gathering and preparing routine information, including sports results.
2642-25 — TV/Commentator
TV/Commentator is a professional responsible for present music and information on television shows interview guests on their shows research topics for comment and discussion during shows read prepared scripts on television shows  provide commentary for the audience during events.
2642-23 — TV/radio news producer
TV/radio news producer is a professional responsible for ensure that newscasts are executed cleanly on air and meet audience preferences by working with anchors during live broadcasting or recording preproduced content focus most efforts on ensuring stories and topics are relevant and engaging and can be understood by various demographics.
2642-24 — TV/radio news reporter
TV/radio news reporter is a professional responsible for identifying newsworthy events and developments in their region of operation conducting research and writing scripts on topics prior to broadcasts attending and reporting on events that are of interest to the public.