Seeking quotes for journalism careers book

I’m under contract with a popular career guide publisher to write a book on how to become a journalist in the Digital Age.

The book is for students and entry-level job seekers. It focuses on what skills, education, training, experience, etc. will be necessary to land a good job and be a successful journalist in the coming 5-10 years. The release date is this spring.

I want to hear from working journalists, media company recruiters and career services staff on stuff like: What types of jobs are out there? What types of jobs have been scaled back? What sort of jobs will there be in the future? Realistically, what kinds of jobs can someone get right out of college? What skills do young journalists need and where can they get training? What can young journalists do to make themselves standout among other interns or staff? Do you have one piece of advice that new journalists shouldn’t live without?

Good information that isn’t used in my book may be used for CubReporters.org, or for a future article in a trade publication like Quill or The Communicator.

Please e-mail your response to book[at]cubreporters.org or fill out this form. Remember to include your title or qualifications. Thanks.

-Mark Grabowski

Networking is key in journalism job search

Your dream newsroom job may be available right now, but there’s a good chance you’ll never know. Like virtually every other industry, many jobs in journalism aren’t officially advertised. There are ways to find out about them, but it takes effort. To find out how, read my latest Quill column, which contains advice from reporters, hiring editors and Columbia Journalism School's dean of career services. -Mark Grabowski

Share your journalism job search experiences

I'm looking for quotes from young journalists.

I'm writing a column for the young journalists section of Quill on the importance of networking in the job search.

As with virtually every field, many journalism job openings don't seem to be advertised. I know of one editor, for example, who said she won't post jobs on popular websites because she doesn't want to have to sort through hundreds of resumes. So, the only way to find out about some jobs is through word-of-mouth: by attending conferences, keeping in touch with editors, getting heads-ups from friends at other media outlets when a co-worker leaves (and they'll probably fill the position), etc.

Do you have any comments, anecdotes or experiences to share relating to this? If so, please e-mail me ASAP at mark@cubreporters.org.

Thanks.

-Mark Grabowski

The 8th way to get bylines

Quill recently ran a story on "Seven Strategies for Getting Bylines," which I wrote. There are actually eight ways to get bylines, but one got edited out:

Study abroad.

Help out in a newspaper’s foreign bureau. Or look into writing for English publications in the foreign country.

“While the crunch on foreign news budgets may limit the amount of staff correspondent posts available, it presents a golden opportunity for upstart journalists,” said Jason Motlagh, a freelancer who’s reported from West Africa, the Caucasus and Haiti. “I’ve met many other full-time reporters who broke in simply by showing up at a far-flung bureau and asking to lend a hand.”

Sorry about the deletion, Jason -- you know how editors can be.

I'm sure y'all can think of more strategies for getting bylines. Please share your ideas in the comments section below.

-Professor Mark Grabowski