Is journalism for you?
The American Society of Newspaper Editors offers this brief advisory to students
who are considering careers as newspaper journalists.
Most beginning journalists head into reporting, but newspapers also seek
young talent as photographers, artists, copy editors, computer experts,
librarians, and other specialists.
Jobs, especially at the entry level, are sometimes difficult to land. But the
student who has writing ability, graphics or photo skills, curiosity and
determination – and who is well prepared by education and training – should
have no difficulty finding an interesting and challenging position with a daily
newspaper.
Read on to learn about:
Setting your educational goals
What about getting a broad education?
The newspaper journalist must possess an inexhaustible fountain of curiosity and
an ability to express ideas. Studying the liberal arts will introduce you to new
horizons; studying journalism will help you communicate your discoveries. ASNE
urges every student considering journalism to get a broad background by taking
courses in many fields. If you attend an accredited journalism school, you will
be required to take 90 semester course hours outside journalism. If you are
studying journalism at an unaccredited school, it’s still a good idea to earn
three-fourths of your credits toward graduation outside the journalism school.
Some students want to take more journalism courses, at the expense of the
liberal arts and sciences, economics, history, etc. But editors are interested
in young people who are broadly educated.
Should I major in journalism?
Not necessarily. An ASNE survey (1990) indicated that half of the editors had no
preference for a journalism degree versus a major in another field. About four
in 10 editors expressed preference for hiring J-school grads, and one in 10
preferred graduates from other fields. However, almost three-fourths of the
editors of smaller papers, where many graduates begin their careers, prefer
J-school grads. Another ASNE survey (1989) indicates that 80 percent or more of
the young people taking newspaper jobs today are journalism school majors, and
this applies across the board for newspapers large and small. Some students
choose to concentrate on a field they want to write about – business, science,
the arts, politics, for example – and take journalism courses as electives or
work on the student newspaper.
Should I choose an accredited J-school?
The ASNE survey indicates that fewer than half (43 percent) of the editors make
it a point to know whether the job candidate is a graduate of an accredited
journalism program. Go
to the ACEJMC Web site to get a list of accredited programs and to learn
more about the accreditation process.
Are skills courses important?
Taking some journalism skills courses is a good idea. A 1993 ASNE survey asked
editors what fields of study students should take to prepare themselves for
newspaper work. Editors thought that courses that developed writing skills and
fostered an understanding of economics, statistics, and the basics of reporting
were most important. In the mid-range of importance were an understanding of
graphics/design, multiculturalism, newsroom technology, management, liberal arts
and basic sciences. Lower priorities included classes on photography, media law,
the role of mass media in society, and journalism ethics.
How important are internships?
Virtually all editors agree that getting a summer internship on a newspaper
while you are in college helps you land that first newspaper job. If an
internship isn’t possible, the student should make every effort to get
published. Editors are always interested in clippings.
Should I work on the school paper?
Yes! That carries a lot of weight in getting entry-level newspaper jobs.
Is a graduate degree worth the time and effort?
A graduate degree may be interesting and personally useful, but most editors say
that they do not pay higher salaries to job candidates because they have a
master's degree.
What about work in photography and graphics?
Students whose interests lie in photography or the graphic arts should build
their portfolios while in college. The advice provided to other students also
applies here: get a broad education, take internships (if possible), and work on
the campus newspaper. Knowledge of computer graphics is essential to young
people seeking jobs in graphics in today's newspaper environment.
What about scholarships?
Colleges and universities can provide information. Also, the Dow Jones Newspaper
Fund publishes The Journalist’s Road to Success: A Career and Scholarship
Guide. (See below for ordering information.)
Are there resources especially for minority students?
The newspaper industry actively seeks minority applicants. The Dow Jones
Newspaper Fund publishes Newspapers, Diversity & You. (Ordering information
on the next page.) There are professional associations for the four major racial
and ethnic minority groups (Asian American Journalists Association, National
Association of Black Journalists, National Association of Hispanic Journalists,
Native American Journalists Association). As graduation approaches, minority
students will want to participate in job fairs sponsored by the minority
journalism groups, ASNE, and others.
Some tips on job hunting
Consider smaller newspapers
Newspapers of all sizes do hire students fresh out of college, though most of
the larger papers (and many of the medium-sized ones) require previous
experience, usually at a smaller paper. Therefore, the smaller the newspaper,
the better your chances of landing that first job. ASNE offers a free copy of
Thinking big about small newspapers. It is advantageous to apply to newspapers
that you know something about, newspapers where you have had an internship, and
papers that are located in areas that are familiar to you. By all means,
consider your hometown newspaper. You can study out-of-town newspapers in your
school library, or you can take out a mail subscription for a few weeks or
months.
What resources are available to help me get a job?
Most colleges and universities offer guidance in job hunting, and journalism
schools post openings. Also, recruiters from newspapers sometimes visit
campuses. They usually are interested in interviewing students who have majored
in fields other than journalism, as well as J-school candidates. Some state
press associations have job banks (as do the minority journalism associations),
so check out the associations in the states that you have targeted.
What about applying to newspapers directly?
Yes! Most entry-level jobs are landed by young people who contact the newspaper
directly. The proper approach is an informative, personal letter addressed to
the appropriate editor. For smaller newspapers, you should contact the editor or
managing editor. Don't blanket the newspaper with several letters – one letter
of application should be enough.
For larger papers, you could write the main
editor or select the editor of the department that interests you the most (city
desk, lifestyle, sports, etc.). You should describe your journalism and writing
experience and ability, provide references, and enclose five or six clippings to
illustrate your best work. If you are going to be in the area where the
newspaper is located and would be available for an interview, be sure to include
that information in your application letter.
The best source of newspapers and their editors is Editor & Publisher
Yearbook, which is available in most major libraries.
The rewards of journalism
“If you had to do it over again, would you choose newspapering as a
career?” ASNE asked a representative sample of newspaper journalists that
question. A very high 84 percent said they would. Also, 78 percent said their
present job met or exceeded their expectations when they took the position. The
most satisfying aspects of their work were (1) “creativity and meeting the
daily challenge of my job” (58%) and (2) “dealing with significant matters
and having an impact” (32%). The respondents to this 1989 survey said the
opportunity to write was what first attracted them to journalism (43%) or “the
excitement and challenge of journalism” (38%). If that sounds like you, pursue
your dream of a journalism career!
The future of newspapers
Newspapers are a profitable business, with great prospects for the
future, especially considering the various forms of dissemination of information
via electronic communication.
Newspapers own the major database of information for communities large and
small across the nation. About two-thirds of U.S. adults read at least part of
some newspaper every day, while the same number of Americans watch TV news at
some time during the day – in the morning or early or late evening. Only about
one-third of U.S. adults watch an early evening network news program, while even
fewer watch a late-night local TV news summary. Thirteen percent of all American
adults read two or more papers a day.
More information on journalism careers....
@
Small Newspapers
Free from ASNE Foundation, Publications Fulfillment,
11690B Sunrise Valley
Drive, Reston VA 20191-1409 (703/453-1122)
asne@asne.org.
Joe Grimm's Journalism Jobs Page.
An online resource for journalists
maintained by Joe Grimm of the Detroit Free Press.
|
