9 answers
Grace
Student
Gainesville, Florida
1
Question
Asked
1599 views
What is your best advice for getting more experience in the journalism world if I want to be a journalist or write for a magazine What are the best things I can do and focus on now to adequately prepare me for the future and make me a competitive job candidate??
I am a college sophomore looking for a summer internship. I've written for a few publications and have self-published a poetry book.
Login to comment
9 answers
Karin P.
Lecturer
375
Answers
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Grace,
Are you studying journalism at UF?
If you do, the College has broadcasting stations and a student newspaper:
https://www.jou.ufl.edu/home/main-immersion/inc/
If you are not yet active there, find out how to get involved.
Start your own website and YouTube channel to report on things that interest you and start to build a portfolio. Use Twitter or any chat network of your choice to draw in an audience.
Keep getting your articles published in newspapers or magazines.
You can use job search sites like LinkedIn or Indeed to look for internships. Make a profile for yourself on LinkedIn and start networking.
I hope this helps! Good luck!
KP
Are you studying journalism at UF?
If you do, the College has broadcasting stations and a student newspaper:
https://www.jou.ufl.edu/home/main-immersion/inc/
If you are not yet active there, find out how to get involved.
Start your own website and YouTube channel to report on things that interest you and start to build a portfolio. Use Twitter or any chat network of your choice to draw in an audience.
Keep getting your articles published in newspapers or magazines.
You can use job search sites like LinkedIn or Indeed to look for internships. Make a profile for yourself on LinkedIn and start networking.
I hope this helps! Good luck!
KP
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6342
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Dear Grace,
Essential Steps to Gain More Experience in Journalism
To effectively equip yourself for a successful journalism career and to enhance your appeal to potential employers, consider these vital steps:
1. Secure Internships: One of the most potent ways to acquire hands-on experience in journalism is by securing internships. Seek out opportunities in newspapers, magazines, digital platforms, or broadcasting stations. These internships will offer you practical experience, allow you to establish a network of industry contacts, and bolster your resume.
2. Build a Varied Portfolio: Begin to compile a varied portfolio of your work. This could include articles, essays, blog entries, or any other written pieces that highlight your skills and passions. A robust portfolio will exhibit your writing prowess and adaptability to prospective employers.
3. Engage in Networking: Networking is vital in the journalism profession. Participate in conferences, workshops, and events related to journalism to connect with industry professionals. Forming relationships with editors, reporters, and fellow journalists can lead to opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, and job recommendations.
4. Participate in Journalism Organizations: Think about becoming a member of journalism organizations such as the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) or the Online News Association (ONA). These organizations provide resources, educational programs, and networking opportunities that can assist you in staying current on industry trends and connecting with peers.
5. Request Feedback: Don't hesitate to request feedback on your work from teachers, mentors, or colleagues. Constructive feedback can aid you in pinpointing areas for enhancement and honing your writing abilities.
6. Stay Updated: Keep abreast of current affairs and trends in the journalism industry. Regularly reading respected publications will not only keep you informed but also assist you in understanding various writing styles and techniques.
7. Choose a Specialty: Think about specializing in a specific area of journalism that intrigues you, such as investigative reporting, feature writing, or multimedia journalism. Gaining expertise in a particular niche can make you more noticeable to potential employers.
Top 3 Credible Sources Used:
Poynter Institute: Poynter is a distinguished journalism school and research organization that offers training programs, resources, and insights for journalists at every stage of their career.
Columbia Journalism Review (CJR): CJR is a respected publication that provides analysis, commentary, and critiques on journalism practice. It is a useful resource for staying informed about industry trends and best practices.
American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA): ASJA is a professional organization for independent nonfiction writers that provides resources, networking opportunities, and advocacy for freelance journalists. Their insights can be helpful for budding journalists aiming to enter the field.
Stay Blessed!
James Constantine Frangos.
Essential Steps to Gain More Experience in Journalism
To effectively equip yourself for a successful journalism career and to enhance your appeal to potential employers, consider these vital steps:
1. Secure Internships: One of the most potent ways to acquire hands-on experience in journalism is by securing internships. Seek out opportunities in newspapers, magazines, digital platforms, or broadcasting stations. These internships will offer you practical experience, allow you to establish a network of industry contacts, and bolster your resume.
2. Build a Varied Portfolio: Begin to compile a varied portfolio of your work. This could include articles, essays, blog entries, or any other written pieces that highlight your skills and passions. A robust portfolio will exhibit your writing prowess and adaptability to prospective employers.
3. Engage in Networking: Networking is vital in the journalism profession. Participate in conferences, workshops, and events related to journalism to connect with industry professionals. Forming relationships with editors, reporters, and fellow journalists can lead to opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, and job recommendations.
4. Participate in Journalism Organizations: Think about becoming a member of journalism organizations such as the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) or the Online News Association (ONA). These organizations provide resources, educational programs, and networking opportunities that can assist you in staying current on industry trends and connecting with peers.
5. Request Feedback: Don't hesitate to request feedback on your work from teachers, mentors, or colleagues. Constructive feedback can aid you in pinpointing areas for enhancement and honing your writing abilities.
6. Stay Updated: Keep abreast of current affairs and trends in the journalism industry. Regularly reading respected publications will not only keep you informed but also assist you in understanding various writing styles and techniques.
7. Choose a Specialty: Think about specializing in a specific area of journalism that intrigues you, such as investigative reporting, feature writing, or multimedia journalism. Gaining expertise in a particular niche can make you more noticeable to potential employers.
Top 3 Credible Sources Used:
Poynter Institute: Poynter is a distinguished journalism school and research organization that offers training programs, resources, and insights for journalists at every stage of their career.
Columbia Journalism Review (CJR): CJR is a respected publication that provides analysis, commentary, and critiques on journalism practice. It is a useful resource for staying informed about industry trends and best practices.
American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA): ASJA is a professional organization for independent nonfiction writers that provides resources, networking opportunities, and advocacy for freelance journalists. Their insights can be helpful for budding journalists aiming to enter the field.
Stay Blessed!
James Constantine Frangos.
Nik Korba
Writer
18
Answers
New Smyrna Beach, Florida
Updated
Nik’s Answer
I recently moved to a small town in Central Florida and started a career transition from being a pastor to being a writer. One of the things that I did was to reach out to small town newspapers to see if they needed writers. I ended up being able to write for one of them, covering events in the small town where I live and a few surrounding communities. It was great experience, paid a little, and gave me some great pieces for my portfolio. You might try exploring that. Best of luck!
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1913
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Grace !
What you can do to get more experience to be a journalist you are already currently doing. You are enrolled in college, you have already been published and you are taking courses. I would say that you are focusing on the right things now. It is a process. There's nothing specific you can do now that you're not already doing. Each piece that you write is a unique accomplishment. The way you get more experience is to continue what you are doing. Strive for good grades and write every day. Save copies of everything you write, also. I believe that you would do well applying for paid work and have more opportunities to do so, but if it's actually an Internship that you seek, you can peruse the internship websites and see what there is to apply for.
Another thing that you can do is not underestimate yourself. You are either a writer or not and currently it seems as though you are. I would advise looking a bit ahead in the area of financial assistance for your education. Apply for as many literary or journalism scholarships as you can and cover a lot of ground to help you with expenses for your junior and then your senior year. You deserve some financial compensation for your skills that you already have. I have left some referral links for you below of websites that have scholarships to apply for. Also ask your major department Dean/Chairperson if there are any that you can discover that may not be on the internet.
Before seeking an internship, read about the requirements at https://www.zippia.com/journalism-internship-jobs/ Keep in mind that your whole academic experience is giving you a chance to grow as a writer. There are options on campus such as writing for the campus newspaper. There may be a broadcast studio on campus that you can get experience writing and being on screen. Everything that you could obtain from an internship you can obtain by paid employment or volunteering on campus. There are also a lot of paid positions for remote writers, too. Go to the employment websites and look for remote writing work that you can get paid for but not leave your own home. Writing is one of those things that remote work seems to be perfect for. Also look at employment notices for content creators for various websites.
So my advice is to keep doing what you are doing, build upon that with more writing projects and seek paid employment for your writing. Applying for scholarships will help you out with college in the next two years and no matter what you choose to do, I support you all the way because one of the most important jobs is to get information, ideas and stories out to as many people as you can. I wish you all the best and much continued success !
JOURNALISM JOBS IN YOUR AREA https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=Journalism&l=Gainesville%2C+FL&from=sug&vjk=1894d0d8af42630d
LITERARY SCHOLARSHIPS https://www.scholarships.com/financial-aid/college-scholarships/scholarships-by-major/literature-scholarships
JOURNALISM SCOLARSHIPS https://bold.org/scholarships/by-major/journalism-scholarships/
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR WRITERS https://thescholarshipsystem.com/blog-for-students-families/the-ultimate-list-of-scholarships-for-writers/
WRITING SCHOLARSHIPS https://blog.reedsy.com/writing-scholarships/
What you can do to get more experience to be a journalist you are already currently doing. You are enrolled in college, you have already been published and you are taking courses. I would say that you are focusing on the right things now. It is a process. There's nothing specific you can do now that you're not already doing. Each piece that you write is a unique accomplishment. The way you get more experience is to continue what you are doing. Strive for good grades and write every day. Save copies of everything you write, also. I believe that you would do well applying for paid work and have more opportunities to do so, but if it's actually an Internship that you seek, you can peruse the internship websites and see what there is to apply for.
Another thing that you can do is not underestimate yourself. You are either a writer or not and currently it seems as though you are. I would advise looking a bit ahead in the area of financial assistance for your education. Apply for as many literary or journalism scholarships as you can and cover a lot of ground to help you with expenses for your junior and then your senior year. You deserve some financial compensation for your skills that you already have. I have left some referral links for you below of websites that have scholarships to apply for. Also ask your major department Dean/Chairperson if there are any that you can discover that may not be on the internet.
Before seeking an internship, read about the requirements at https://www.zippia.com/journalism-internship-jobs/ Keep in mind that your whole academic experience is giving you a chance to grow as a writer. There are options on campus such as writing for the campus newspaper. There may be a broadcast studio on campus that you can get experience writing and being on screen. Everything that you could obtain from an internship you can obtain by paid employment or volunteering on campus. There are also a lot of paid positions for remote writers, too. Go to the employment websites and look for remote writing work that you can get paid for but not leave your own home. Writing is one of those things that remote work seems to be perfect for. Also look at employment notices for content creators for various websites.
So my advice is to keep doing what you are doing, build upon that with more writing projects and seek paid employment for your writing. Applying for scholarships will help you out with college in the next two years and no matter what you choose to do, I support you all the way because one of the most important jobs is to get information, ideas and stories out to as many people as you can. I wish you all the best and much continued success !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Juliana Fitzgerald
Journalist
2
Answers
Bogotá, Colombia
Updated
Juliana’s Answer
Try to keep up with innovations. Artificial Intelligence are always on the verge of leaving us without a job (I am a journalist) it is not enough to just know how to write, from being comprehensive and possessing technical skills that allow you to transform all types of content into multimedia formats, even into parallel realities.
Jerome Dees Jr.
Sales Professional and Networking Expert
613
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Jerome’s Answer
Take advantage of the ability to ask your professors questions about their journey. How did they get going, what do they wish they knew early on, etc.
As an aspiring journalist, interview those you have access to and you may just uncover something that can help you.
As an aspiring journalist, interview those you have access to and you may just uncover something that can help you.
Amalya Sukiasyan
ESOL teacher at Washington English Center
297
Answers
Yerevan
Updated
Amalya’s Answer
Hi Grace,
It's great to be a journalist. You can continue publishing your writings on different platforms and magazines. It will improve your writing skills and will give you new horizons in getting journalistic recognition and trust.
It's great to be a journalist. You can continue publishing your writings on different platforms and magazines. It will improve your writing skills and will give you new horizons in getting journalistic recognition and trust.
Marlene Ridgway
Feature Writer
7
Answers
Leland, North Carolina
Updated
Marlene’s Answer
Apart from a good education, my advice is to start writing! Even if you only write for yourself and your friends to read. You can start your own website very easily, write freelance, or even simply write a piece that interests you and post it to Facebook. You'll need to show something that you've written to a potential employer and any experience will be helpful.
In addition, my advice is to keep reading! To be a great writer, you have to be a great reader. This will keep you up to date on trends, and common practices, and keep your knowledge relevant. See what styles you are drawn to and think about why they interest you. This could help lead you toward the right job down the line.
Good luck!
In addition, my advice is to keep reading! To be a great writer, you have to be a great reader. This will keep you up to date on trends, and common practices, and keep your knowledge relevant. See what styles you are drawn to and think about why they interest you. This could help lead you toward the right job down the line.
Good luck!
Rafael Diaz Montelongo
Consultant
235
Answers
Raleigh, North Carolina
Updated
Rafael’s Answer
To gain more experience in journalism and boost your chances of landing a great job, here are some tips: seek internships, freelance for different publications, network with others, build a killer portfolio, learn multimedia skills, stay in the know about current events, seek feedback on your writing, join journalism clubs, find a mentor, and keep learning through online courses and workshops. These steps will help you gain hands-on experience, make valuable connections, showcase your work, and stay up-to-date with the ever-changing world of journalism. So, go out there, hustle, and show the world what you've got!