You can graduate with a High score and join whatever PRINT society you want, but what editors want to see from recent college grades is experience. That starts at your college newspaper. Journalism classes are fine, but there’s no substitute for writing real stories, on a real deadline, that get a real byline in a real newspaper.
Be An Editor For Your Student Newspaper
You’ve written some stories for your student paper – now take things to the next level. Holding an editor’s job at a college paper shows you’re willing to really make the commitment of time required to get experience in the news business. It also demonstrates maturity, responsibility and all that other good stuff that employers like.
Get An Internship
You’ve done your time as a student journalist. The next step is working with the pros. Newspapers nationwide offer summer internships and having one on your resume sets you apart. Working at a professional paper gives you the kind of experience that says, “This person is ready to work in the real world.”
Build Your Clip Portfolio
Clips, clips clips – they’re they key to getting a job. And the more you have, the better. Keep a copy of every story you write, so that when it’s time to apply for a job, you’ll be able to pick and choose your very best work.
Learn Marketable Skills
There’s no denying it – this is a tough time for the news business. So make yourself as marketable as possible by picking up as many technical skills as you can, especially in the new media.
So learn to use layout software like QuarkXpress or InDesign; acquaint yourself with digital photography; start a blog and learn web design; and shoot digital videos and upload them to the web.
Write, Write, Write
Whatever you do, keep writing - for your student newspaper, a blog, a community newspaper or a local magazine, anything. Just write. The more you do it the better you’ll get, and even in this new media world, good writers will always be needed.
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