Choosing the right journalism internship can boost your career prospects. Consider the area of journalism you want to work in, the reputation of the organization, day-to-day tasks, paid vs unpaid opportunities, time commitment, and field internship opportunities.
If you want a career in journalism, working experience in a journalism internship will almost certainly boost your credentials when it comes time to look for your first job. Generally, to choose the best journalism internship for you, consider what area of journalism you want to work in after college and take an internship in your target area. For example, if you want to work in broadcast journalism, look for internship opportunities at radio and television stations. If you want to work in print journalism, look for opportunities in magazines and newspapers. Also, consider the reputation of organizations that offer internships; an internship with a reputable news organization can make your resume stand out from the crowd.
One important thing to consider when choosing a journalism internship is what your day-to-day tasks will be. Most internships involve some lower-level work, like photocopying, for example, or acting as an essay writer, but higher-level responsibilities should also be included. When choosing between journalism internships, consider how the actual roles you’ll take on will develop the skills you need in your career. If you want to write for newspapers, consider an internship that offers real reporting opportunities. If your goal is to work in broadcast journalism, look for the journalism internship that allows you to perform some production assistant tasks.
Another thing to keep in mind when looking at journalism internships is that some internship opportunities are paid, but many are not. If money is a big concern, you can make larger organizations focus your search for internship opportunities. Larger newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations will offer paid internships. It’s important to keep in mind that competition for paid internships will also be greater; therefore, the more journalism experience you have when you apply, the better. Smaller publications and stations may offer an intern-only grant or academic credit, but this may also be easier to obtain.
How much time you have to dedicate to an internship program is another area to consider. If you have other commitments during the summer months, you may want to look into shorter internship opportunities. You can also opt for internships that take place during shorter school holidays, such as winter or spring break.
One way to make your resume stand out is to look for field internship opportunities. There are journalism opportunities in other countries that can teach you about the profession and another culture. If you plan to focus on travel writing or international reporting, for example, a field journalism internship opportunity might be right for you. Be sure to apply the same standards to choosing an internship abroad as you would elsewhere to find the best journalism internship to advance your career goals.
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