Journalism today is evolving at a rapid pace. New technologies, shifting newsroom structures and changing audience habits are transforming what it means to build a career in the media industry. For many professionals, these changes create uncertainty but also open new opportunities. How can you find your way with clarity and confidence?
The Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas is here to help. We are excited to announce our new free online course, “Explore Your Career River: Navigate Change in Today’s Media Ecosystem,” which will run from Oct. 6 to Nov. 2, 2025. The course is offered in English and is open to participants around the world.
This innovative program is designed for journalists, freelancers, editors, product professionals, designers and media executives alike—anyone who wants to take a fresh look at their career journey. No previous training is required.
The course will be led by Bridget Thoreson, founder of MyCareerRiver.com and an award-winning journalist with nearly 20 years of experience in the media industry. Thoreson currently serves as Hearken’s Chief Project Officer/Dream Wrangler, where she leads initiatives to support newsrooms and communities. Throughout her career, she has built editorial collaborations, launched rural newsroom networks and guided media professionals through moments of change.
The Career River is a framework that reimagines your professional journey as a flowing river, guided by your goals, connections, and opportunities, rather than a linear ladder, helping you navigate your career toward a thriving and fulfilling ecosystem.
Like all Knight Center online courses, this program is fully asynchronous, meaning you can learn at your own pace, on your own schedule. Each week features videos, readings and discussion forums to connect with fellow participants. There are no required live sessions, making the course accessible no matter your time zone.
The course is divided into five modules, each designed to give you tools and insights for navigating today’s media ecosystem:
Introduction Module – Welcome to Your River
Discover how the Career River framework enables you to view your professional journey as fluid and flexible, rather than a straight ladder.
Module 1 – A New Framework for Professional Fulfillment
Move beyond traditional career models and explore how to build a more sustainable, fulfilling path.
Module 2 – Map Your Career River
Create a personalized map of your career journey so far, identifying transferable skills and key turning points.
Module 3 – Tell a Compelling Career Story
Learn how to adapt your professional narrative for different contexts, highlight your strengths, and present yourself with confidence.
Module 4 – Ride Your River to Your Next Role
Explore strategies for making your next career move, whether it’s within your current organization or in a new direction.
By the end of the course, participants will be able to evaluate their career journeys holistically, identify and leverage transferable skills, craft and communicate compelling professional narratives, and strategically plan their next steps in a changing media landscape.
Take charge of your career and embrace change with confidence. Register today for free and gain immediate access to the Introduction Module.
