Q: I graduated from college in 2004.

During my final semester, I interned as a copy editor for the local paper in the town in which I went to school. In the summer, I went on to do a Dow Jones internship in copy editing. Over the course of the summer, I realized I wanted to be a reporter.

I went to grad school that fall for journalism and media studies, where I got all of one clip. I thought I'd have time to squeeze in freelance work between classes, papers and my T.A. position. So, now I've graduated and have an M.A. in journalism and media studies, but no real reporting experience.

I've applied for jobs using my college paper clips, which are now a little over two years old. I really want to get into newspaper reporting, preferably original reporting for the Internet (though there aren't too many of those jobs available yet). I'm so lost as far as the job-hunting process goes. I don't know where to even begin.

Basically, how do I make the transition to reporting from copy editing without having to diminish the excellent experience I had with the DJNF internship?

Rita

A: The biggest beef I have with graduate programs is that some of them do not help students get the clips they simply must get to qualify for internships and jobs. Yes, learning is Job One, but most people who go to grad school in journalism are doing it to get jobs. Without clips that are recent and decent, they're in a hole.

So, now that you're there, here's what I would do.

Your Dow Jones Newspaper Fund remains a solid-gold credential -- but for copy editing. The master's degree adds to the luster, but hasn't given you the new direction you sought.

One approach is to look for those rare jobs that want people to do a little of each. These tend to be at really small papers but might get you started on some writing.

A second approach is to go back to the paper where you interned and see whether they would take you back as a reporter. Again, that would have to be a small paper.

Third, I would quickly try to get some clips by freelancing and use those. On this approach, the profs you met in J-school -- if they have current contacts -- and the program's alumni network could help you get a start.

Good luck!

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