The Internet has expanded opportunities for gaining journalism experience, including blogging, vlogging, and podcasting. Journalism programs and local news organizations also offer valuable experience. Truthfulness is key.
The field of journalism has moved from simple print publications to a wide variety of media and delivery methods. The Internet has changed the face of news reporting and research, so the avenues for gaining professional journalism experience have broadened in a sense. While networking at the face-to-face level has been and certainly still is the best way to break in and gain work experience in journalism, there are a number of other opportunities that are both convenient and valuable.
The Internet is perhaps the easiest way to gain professional journalism experience. Web logs, known as blogs, allow anyone with an Internet connection the opportunity to provide information to a wide audience. A good blog can give a candidate journalism work experience, showcasing that person’s writing and research skills, willingness to meet deadlines, and other qualities employers look for in a journalist. A blogger should keep in mind that his blog must maintain a clear focus, use only credible sources, and follow typical journalism rules and styles for it to be a valid display of journalistic talent. Video recordings or vlogs, as well as audio podcasts, are other ways a journalist can hone their craft.
If journalism is a career option, a potential journalist should consider going to school to study the field. Often, undergraduate and graduate programs offer assistance in gaining professional journalism experience during and after schooling. Many schools create programs that help students gain field placements in outlets such as newspapers, magazines, websites, radio stations, and other news organizations. Not only does this path provide the candidate with valuable work experience in journalism, but it also helps the candidate network with other journalists who can potentially help the candidate find full-time work or other opportunities after school.
Work experience can also be gained locally. Local radio and television stations are generally more willing to hire interns – likely in an unpaid capacity – which can provide a candidate with valuable experience without having to invest in education. Community newsletters are also a good way to practice writing and reporting skills, or any newsletter for other types of establishments such as businesses or non-profit groups. It must be remembered, however, that a journalist’s primary loyalty is to the people; therefore, the truth must be told as accurately as possible, without the influence of external forces.
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