Skills and careers in development communication

Skills needed in development communication:

• Cognitive skills, to understand issues; creative skills, to present them with impact.
• Media design, production and equipment skills, useful in media houses and advertising agencies.
• Technical skills: camera, video production and editing for development films; operating radio equipment; radio laws and regulations; presenting and interviewing; radio production software; writing a creative brief. Apprentices write and air radio spots.

Personal qualities: a questioning mind for detail; a love of travel to remote areas for stories; the ability to work with diverse groups; being people-centred, using social work principles ('helping people help themselves'); leadership, good listening and interpersonal skills.

Also: a good command of one language (speaking, writing, reports) and basic computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Careers: development journalist (print, TV, radio, community and traditional media; RJs and anchors); researcher (on gender, environment, health, agriculture, livelihoods); trainer of field workers, policy makers and company officers; freelancer and consultant, in media houses, government and NGOs. Help people help themselves, through media.