Digital News Journalist

After sending out countless cover letters, resumes, and emails trying to get a lead on a job, in early March I finally got an offer that will serve as the start of the career I had in mind when I came to graduate school.  Defying the odds of a bad economy and what some would call the sad state of journalism, I was able to land a job as an assistant web producer with the Wall Street Journal.

Besides honing your reporting, writing and multimedia skills while in the CUNY J-School program, you’ll also want to develop some additional attributes that will set you apart from others.  Here are a few tips that have helped me along the way, especially when it came to securing my new job.

• Smile and introduce yourself: Now that I think about it, all of my professional journalism opportunities, including internships, grew out of a simple introduction following a panel or an event, or after a class with a guest speaker.  Although many won’t believe me, I’m a relatively shy person so I always have to psych myself up to introduce myself to a stranger, especially someone I admire, but it has always proven to be beneficial in one way or another. But the introduction is only the beginning.
• Make a meaningful connection: It’s not enough to introduce yourself and ask for a business card.  Think of an entry point to a conversation and/or something you could offer. For example, if there’s a speaker coming to talk to your class, do your research and find out what you have in common, or discover something you admire about the speaker that you would like to know more about.  Strike up a conversation that doesn’t start and end where it began, but instead, incorporates what you have learned and flows into a comfortable place that ends with their contact information.
• Follow up: A very senior editor at Time Inc. once told me that she admired me because I took her up on her invitation to email her and connect. When people say, “Feel free to contact me,” or “Here’s my email,” always follow up.  You never know where that connection could lead or what you may learn.  Also, when you follow up, be sure to insert some key things about yourself and your experience.  Even go so far as to ask to meet for tea or lunch.
• Get an advocate: It’s always best to have someone else that can speak of your greatness or on your behalf to someone else.  Why not start with your professors?  They have many connections in the journalism field and you should consider having them vouch for you.
• Work hard: Real success doesn’t come to those who sit and wait for things to happen to them (and if it does, it won’t be meaningful and it certainly won’t last).  Success comes to those who work hard.  Working hard means stretching your limits, doing things that you may hate, taking on challenges, and pushing yourself to be the best you that you can be.  For example, during the first semester, I worked 12 hours a week and interned twice a week, something that was highly discouraged.  By the end of the semester, I was awarded a $10,000 Dean’s scholarship.  It was hard to maintain a balance and get things done, but I knew the end result would equal money in my pocket and valuable experience that would benefit me in the end
• Be prepared: When I was growing up, my mother always referred to the “7 P’s”: “Proper Prior Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance.”  I’ve found this to be so true.  Whether you’re preparing for an interview, a meeting, or a story, do the legwork that will prevent you from looking like a fool.  For example, for my job interview, I prepared by doing research, coming up with ideas to offer, and talking to people familiar with the place, position, and/or person I was interviewing with about ways to best prepare myself.
• Get noticed: Whether it’s through your work, your personality, or your can-do attitude, work on getting noticed by your peers, colleagues and industry professionals.  This can be done by doing great work, making meaningful connections, sharing your thoughts, skills and aspirations.  After all, it doesn’t help if no one knows you or what you do.
• Make friends at your level: It’s not enough to just make meaningful connections with people at levels you aspire to.  It’s also extremely important to develop and maintain ties with classmates and other colleagues at your level because these are the people with whome you will rise to the top; maybe even the ones that will give you a job in five years.
• Share: Be diligent in sharing your knowledge, talent, aspirations, and skills with others.  I know for a fact that I couldn’t have made it this far without someone else pulling for me, so make it a point to give back; whether it’s through mentoring, talking to friends/colleagues about your experiences, or sharing your ideas with others.  You’ll find that when you share ideas, you often land on an even better one.
• Be persistent and stay the course: There will be days that look very bleak and others when you want to quit, but you have to keep going.  In every failure there is a lesson, and in every moment of weakness, there is strength to be gained.  Use your best of days to get through the dark days.  Be persistent in meeting your goals.