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Job advice

How do journalists go about finding a job?

How did you find your job?

I sort of fell into mine. I had worked here as an intern and was able to move into a full time position so I never had to go through the job search that my peers did.

What advice can you give to young journalists hoping to find a full time paying position? Or to those just out of college with little experience?

Would you give different advice for someone just out of school and looking than you would for someone who had been in the business for years?

Please reply and I'll post any advice given!




Published Saturday, July 28, 2007 8:21 PM by ElysseJames
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Comments

# re: Job advice

Tuesday, July 31, 2007 5:14 PM by SonyaSmith
After my first SPJ meeting in my second year of college, I started getting serious about how to get a job. I signed up to write for my school's newspaper, started a resume and began gathering clips for a clipbook. Sure, I had barely any experience when I started - but by the time I graduated I had (from college alone) about 150 clips, four and a half years of experience (in college alone) and a large network of professional journalists in my area - and around the nation. I simply called up one of those people in February of my final college year and asked him where I should apply for jobs. He recommended one - and I got the job in March - while the newspaper waited until June for me to graduate (I freelanced until I actually graduated from college because I was still editor-in-chief of my school's newspaper). My advice is to be prepared. Get networking, get involved in SPJ and other journalism organizations, get experience, and track all your progress by regularly updating (about each quarter) your resume and clipbook.

# re: Job advice

Wednesday, August 15, 2007 3:00 PM by Roxanne
In college, I worked for my student newspaper for two years, doing mostly photos but a few articles. I quickly gained the support and help of a journalism professor, who is still my mentor now. He helped me immensely in how to apply for and how to get a journalism job.

I did two internships at local weekly papers, then mailed off a package of clips in November of my senior year. I made follow-up calls within a few weeks, but some of the editors e-mailed me directly. A few months later, an editor requested an interview with me, and that's how I got my first job. A few months later, my mentor informed me of an opening at a bigger weekly closer to home for me. I interviewed, he gave the editor his good words, and here I am.

I would definitely say the two key things are having a mentor and getting as many internships as possible. Student newspaper clips aren't enough. And having an experienced mentor at your side is extremely helpful.
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