Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Breaking in as a Late Starter?
Q. I'm about to graduate with a degree (and honors) in the religious studies program at my large, well-respected state university. Eventually, I'd like to be an editor at a major newspaper or news magazine, but right now I'm facing a tough time finding an entry-level job.
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I didn't get really interested in news until my junior year of school, when I started at my college daily. And while I've gotten a lot of hands-on experience there as a writer and editor in both print and online media (our Web site, which I've worked on, won the
Pacemaker this year), I know I'm going to run into a couple problems when applying for real jobs. I don't have a degree in journalism, and I don't have any internships under my belt.
My question is, because of my degree in comparative religion and my research interests as an undergrad (I wrote my honors thesis on religious media), it seems likely I might have better luck finding work in the expanding field of Christian media. Would working with religious publications hamper my job search a few years down the line when I try switching back into mainstream news? Or is any experience good experience?
Thanks,
Faithfully Searching for WorkA. Don't be too focused on mainstream media. You may find more opportunities to do what you want -- and
to handle the kind of content that interests you -- in niche, online or magazine publications than in the mainstream media.
People sometimes encounter difficulties as they try to switch from the religious press to the secular press, but your aims might mean you don't need to go that route, anyway. Do some more thinking about your goals, the kind of work you'd like to be involved in and where you think the media -- mass and niche -- will be in the future.
Keep the faith.
Coming Wednesday: This late-blooming senior has just one published article, not enough for most internship programs, and wonders how to explain this to potential employers.
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