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Topic: Give me advice, and I'll mail you cookies!!
| Author | Message |
| brooklynbaby | Posted – 3/16/2008 6:10:14 PM | show profile I want to work in broadcast journalism, but I'm very unsure what to do now that I've graduated. I'd like to be a reporter, but I'm not a diva. I just love TV and I love telling stories. I had planned on going to law school in hopes of becoming a legal analyst (and assuring myself a lucrative plan-b), but now I've decided that's too much time and money to end up with no experience. I want a job as a reporter. I also want to relocate. Here's what I have- ~2 bachelor's degrees, a good gpa, honors standing, academic awards, and all that good stuff. ~A good bit of college tv experience, on-air and behind the camera, writing, control room experience, making packages, editing, etc. ~radio experience, working as a dj ~an internship with Fox News Channel Here's what I don't have- ~a journalism degree (mine are in international studies and theater) ~a huge amount of time to search for jobs (I work full time at a law firm) ~any idea what to do Please help me because I want to be a part of this industry so badly! |
| Latin1 | Posted – 3/16/2008 9:13:12 PM | show profile Start Locally. Try to get hired on by a local news channel in your area first and get exposure. Then learn the business from the inside. Good luck. |
| brooklynbaby | Posted – 3/17/2008 2:04:24 PM | show profile Thanks so much! What about journalism grad school? |
| rozwrite55 | Posted – 3/17/2008 4:17:53 PM | show profile Don't do grad school without any experience. You need to get a basic background in on-the ground reporting before getting an advanced degree. Get out there and get the experience. Put together a tape and send them to all the small markets. |
| SuburbanCorrespondent | Posted – 3/18/2008 6:02:28 PM | show profile If you have any connections from your internship, I suggest looking them up and seeing if they can point you in the direction of a PA or other entry-level position. If that doesn't work out, here's what I suggest. It's what I'm going to do if I don't get hired by one of the Big Boys in NYC: 1) Make a list of C-list cities you would like to live in. We're not talking Dallas, Chicago, or even Oklahoma City. Think more along the lines of Flagstaff, Duluth, or Billings. Hey, you've got to start somewhere. 2) Use the internet to check out the job listings at the local affiliates in each city. Chances are, you can score an entry-level position with little more than a college degree, so you should have no problem. 3) Send out them resumes! From what I hear, this is a great way to get experience because in a small market, you get a lot more opportunities. Plus, once you have a few years' worth of experience at CBS 34 Bismarck, you can start applying for those jobs that ask for "2-3 years newsroom experience". Good luck (to both of us)! |
| SuburbanCorrespondent | Posted – 3/18/2008 6:03:22 PM | show profile PS - I'm a big fan of peanut butter cookies, but I'll take whatever you've got. :) |
| brooklynbaby | Posted – 3/19/2008 11:45:53 AM | show profile Ok thanks for all the advice! Peanut butter cookies are nice, but I much prefer chocolate chip... good luck! |
| PatriciaJ11 | Posted – 4/5/2008 8:31:14 PM | show profile Just a note: Do you love telling stories verbally or in print, or both? If you wish to report in front of the camera, once you get your initial job or whatever, you might wish to take a class or join a group to polish and widen your skills in front of the camera - preferably something that expands from the typical news type of broadcast into interviewing, storytelling, etc. If you wish to move one day in front of the camera and or radio, good polished and relaxed skills in this area would be a big plus in competing against those who are a bit stiff, don't have correct diction, tone or versatility. Also, with computer video distance learning and reporting, a good online voice, appearance and flexibility should serve you well in the future. And its fun!! If you find yourself a bit too dry - volunteer at a bookstore to read and tell (lead make up children's stories) for the 3rd and 4th grader ages. You will have to loosen up and improvise and captivate, and with them you are not in the "kids" diction anymore. News diction and tone is not so hard - the great ones have a lot more flexibility, and also learn how to handle many "diva's" - who often present the same unusual actions that 3-5th graders do. In the meantime, save up your money from your law job so that if you decide to relocate and they don't pay for that you can be ready to go when the right offer comes along. Hope this helps |
