Job description of Data journalist :
The main education programs to become a Data Journalist are journalism schools (Strasbourg, Grenoble,
Paris, etc.). It is also possible to find specific courses on Data in the University’s
Information-Communication training courses. For example, there is a Licence Professionnelle (Bachelor
Degree) Documentary Resources specializing in Data and Information in Tours and a Double Master Data
Journalism and Investigation in Lyon. There is a lot of different initial training, we can come from a
Licence (Bachelor’s Degree) in Computer Science, but specialized courses are still scarce.
A Data Journalist uses data in order to make them accessible to readers. He collects, cheks and analyzes
data such as figures, statistics, and raw data. He is in constant relation with archives service. After
his first tasks done, he proposes visual layouts in the form of graphics, interactive maps, or something
else. He also needs to write reports on his work, and analysis on studied data.
A Data Journalist knows how to analyzing data, he can easily synthesize his findings, and he masters
software to make presentations. As a journalist, he needs to have a good oral and written expression and
to be pedagogue. His qualities are resourcefulness, organization, and rigor.
It is a recent job. The job offers are rare. Most of the time, it is necessary to go to Paris and its
region to find a job in the press and media sectors. A Data Journalist can work in coordination with an
editor in chief. He has an important role and works with the archives. He can also work in a company on
infographics with a developer.
Education Program
Competencies
Having a team spirit
Good at English
Having a good knowledge of computer languages
At the beginning of the career :
1500€ to 2100€ per month
With experience:
2500€ per month
Courses
- Journalism School: Strasbourg, Grenoble, Paris, …
- Bachelor in Information-Communication and Master that propose courses in data
- Licence Professionnelle(A levels +3) Ressources documentaires spécialité Data et information (Tours)
- Double Master Data Journalisme et Enquête(Data Journalism and Survey), Sciences Po Lyon
Company Types
- Digital Companies
- Graphic Design Companies
Employment areas
