To a college student, journalism might seem a glamorous and adventurous profession. The daily grind of it may be a bit less enthralling, but the field does offer many great opportunities. As you head out into the world of breaking news, it’s a good idea to plan your career path before you set out on the road.
To a college student, journalism might seem a glamorous and adventurous profession. The daily grind of it may be a bit less enthralling, but the field does offer many great opportunities. As you head out into the world of breaking news, it’s a good idea to plan your career path before you set out on the road.
1. Define what branch of journalism you’ll be pursuing. Most conventional newspapers are on the decline, having been all but replaced by online and cable news outlets. Keep in mind that freelancers often need to find a “day job” as well in order to pay the bills, so time management skills will be essential. Also, be prepared to live frugally.
2. You’ll probably need to find a position as an intern to learn the ropes of journalism. At this point, foregoing a paycheck in order to gain experience is worth the trade-off. Make note of your mentor’s techniques and don’t be afraid to ask questions as you go along.
3. Now is the time to hone those crucial “people skills.” Many journalism jobs require you to interview people or to act as newshound and sniff out stories. For in-person profiles, planning your questions prior to the interview will make it go much more smoothly.
4. Always check the market listings that are available. If there is one book writers count on as a resource, it is Writer’s Market, which is a compendium updated yearly that offers market listings, as well as advice from professional writers. In terms of online job boards, www.freelancwritinggigs.com and the writing gigs section of CraigsList are two excellent options.
5. Look to writers you admire to find your own voice, incorporating elements of their style into your own. This doesn’t mean that you should plagiarize them; merely learn from them as you grow as a writer. Over time, you’ll have established your own unique writing voice.
Whatever branch of journalism you may pursue, it pays to do some research about the field before you graduate. There are many college scholarships available in this field, some named in honor of great news people. For an aspiring journalist, this could be a way to get on the path toward your dream of becoming a professional writer.
Ruth Williams is a journalist who does a wide variety of writing, including short article writing on career advice, online degrees, higher education, online universities, and financial aid for adults.
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