Some Dos and Don’ts for Job-Seeking Journalism Grads

Let’s face it, the news biz is in real turmoil right now. Many newspapers are either shutting down, going bankrupt or downsizing. And things don’t appear much brighter for broadcast or online news outlets.

And while most job-seeking journalism grads possess the hard-nosed realism required for their chosen profession, a few operate under the illusion that after graduation, their next step on the career ladder is to be hired as Paris bureau chief for The New York Times, or rock critic for Rolling Stone.

So here then is a reality check, some dos and don'ts for journalism grads seeking their first jobs. The idea is this: Be ambitious, by all means, but also be realistic. And instead of worrying about having a fabulous life, think about doing good journalism, whether you're in Manhattan, Memphis or Morristown (that's in New Jersey, by the way.)

DO apply everywhere you can. It just makes sense: The more places you apply, the better chance you’ll have of landing a job – or at least getting a nibble. But apply for jobs that you think you have a realistic shot of getting.

DO expect to get lots of rejections. There are more job-seekers than jobs at the moment. So get used to the idea that you’re going to get a lot of rejections. Indeed, many places you apply to may never respond at all.

DON’T expect your first job to be your dream job. Too many journalism grads expect their first job to fulfill all their dreams and expectations about what it's like to work in the news business. Sorry, but that’s not likely. You have to be ready to start at the bottom and work your way up to that dream gig.

DON’T expect to start out in the big city. Sure, it would be nice to be in New York right from the get-go, but cities like New York, Chicago or Washington are where journalists with decades of experience strive to be, and as a newbie you just can’t compete with that.

And if you’re determined to be in the big city no matter what, that just shows you’re more interested in city life than in the craft of journalism. Editors can smell that kind of thinking from a mile away. So instead of New York or LA, expect to start out in a small town somewhere.

DON’T expect to start out at a big news organization. Here’s a newsflash: A journalism degree – even one from a prestigious university - does not guarantee you a job at The New York Times, CNN or Rolling Stone magazine. As I said previously, journalists with years of experience are competing to get hired at places like those. Again, a small paper in a small town is likely where you’ll start.

DON’T expect to get rich. Yes, Katie Couric reportedly makes $15 million a year, but the vast majority of journalists earn under $100,000. So be realistic about what you can expect to earn. True, wages are higher in big cities, but so is the cost of living. The moral of this story? Few people get rich in the news biz.

DON'T give up. This article may seem pretty discouraging, but even in these tough economic times there are jobs out there for people who are willing to start at the bottom and work hard to achieve their goals. And if you're one of those people, a reality check like this isn't likely to stop you, anyway.

source: journalism.about.com

JOB, JOBS, EMPLOYMENT