Doesn't she have an English Lit degree? People with English Lit degrees do go on to be reporters/journalists.
I don't see the big deal with her becoming a special correspondent. She's going to be reporting on fluffy stuff, not hard hitting news. The Today show (and other morning shows) have routinely employed actors, models and the kids of politicians to report on special stories, so I don't see why it's so shocking for Pippa to be hired.
For the record, Fergie and Charles Spencer were both special correspondents for the Today Show.