Sunday, December 7, 2008

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

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Saturday, September 27, 2008

How to get a job in the U.K. media

The Independent, a large British daily newspaper, has put together various articles on getting a job in the U.K. media, including:
These are just some of the many and varied careers covered in the newspaper's handy Career Planning section.

-Mark Grabowski

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Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Journalism fundamentals still key, editor says

The new crop of journalists needs to have the latest multimedia skills, a newspaper editor advises. But, more importantly, they need to know the fundamentals: critical thinking and fairness.

"The best thing an aspiring journalist can do is learn about audience needs and become an expert in numerous multimedia applications – video, web programming, etc.," Stu Shinske, executive editor of the Poughkeepsie Journal, recently told CubReporters.org.

"The key, however, is the ability to analytically think….they need to know how to distill information quickly, think on their feet, ask the right questions at the right time, and learn how to check personal preferences, biases and agendas at the door. Their skills will mean nothing if they’re not, first and foremost, objective…"

From time to time, I like to ask journalism experts and practitioners what tips they have for young journalists. Check out CubReporters.org's expanded journalism advice section for more insight from experts.

-Mark Grabowski

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Thursday, May 22, 2008

Columbia's career services dean offers job search advice

Don’t wait for editors to invite you to interview for a job opening, advises Ernest Sotomayor, assistant dean of career services at Columbia University’s journalism school.

Instead, invite yourself.

“If you travel across the state or country and take the initiative [to contact editors] and say you’re just looking to get a half hour of guidance or want to explore possibilities, they’re usually willing to sit down and talk with you,” he says.

Indeed, The Hill reporter J.T. Rushing took that approach and landed his dream job covering the U.S. Senate.

I recently interviewed Rushing, Sotomayor and others for an advice column I wrote on finding a journalism job in last month’s issue of Quill. Below is some additional advice Sotomayor offered that didn’t make it into my column.

  • Get to know the people who hire at media outlets you’re interested in, and see if you can get your foot in the door by freelancing for them, he says. “A lot of it is getting to know recruiters, hiring editors – people in the organization that you can turn to for advice and counsel on what sort of jobs are available … what their needs are, how to freelance [for them].”
  • “Look back to school,” he also recommends. “Alumni connections are always great… Journalism professors have worked all over the world, and they know people everywhere. A lot of people like to get recommendations from professors who can give them extra insight into a job candidate.”
  • Finally, be open-minded. “It’s like being a reporter in the field writing a story. You spread your wings and look at different possibilities and keep your options open … How willing you are to get up and move from where you are is a factor. The smaller the size of the geographic territory for your job search is, the few possibilities there are … Just be open to a lot of different possibilities. The more things you’re willing to consider, the more opportunities you make available to yourself.”
-Mark Grabowski

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