Quick tips for journalism students
Quick tips for journalism students, especially those participating in the "Bring a Professor" chat:
* Don't major in journalism -- Take journalism courses, work in journalism, but choose an academic major that can translate into more employment options. Want to cover politics? Major in political science. Want to cover sports? Major in sports management. Want to be a food writer? Major in culinary arts. Fashion editor? Fashion marketing.
* Pick up a camera -- Learn how to use still and video cameras, and report with them.
* Learn audio and video editing software and techniques -- Don't rely on an "expert" to edit your stuff
* Learn page design software (InDesign, Quark) -- Even if you don't want to work in print, there are always jobs available.
* Read the print newspaper -- The best reporting and writing is still done by newspaper professionals, and you learn news judgment and what makes a good story by how and where it's displayed in the paper.
* Don't expect to get your dream job right out of college -- Here are three examples of jobs that any talented student could land right now, with or without a degree: Othello (Wash.) Outlook; Sand Mountain Reporter (Albertville, Ala.); Beatrice (Neb.) Daily Sun
* You don't need a degree to be a journalist -- Go get one of those jobs listed above, and in two years you'll be miles ahead of graduates without any experience.
Labels: Jobs, Journalism
posted by Ken Carpenter @ 7:36 PM
