Journalism

• You learn it while you do it
• Build connections
• Put yourself out there
• Build a sub-specialty or minor
• Become dependable and reliable
• Pitch ideas
• Develop personal relationships with other newspapers
• Be in the building
• Pay attention
• Take advantage of college career centers
• Network

Internships

• To learn from your mistakes
• Prove yourself
• You have to be willing to work really hard
• Direct access to editor
• Internships build a great resume
• Develop relationships
• Persevere patiently
• Display your growth potential
• Take notes with an editor
• Ask them if it's a learning newsroom
• Positive attitude - keep it up and work at it

Resume Writing and Interviewing

• Do research on the internet
• Tailor the resume
• Be open and flexible
• Job application: cover letter, resume, work samples

Cover Letter

• Write about yourself
• Check the language
• Story-telling capabilities
• Don't repeat resume
• Yell out your personality
• Address it to a specific person (and spell it correctly)
• Avoid using clichés
• Informative, interesting, concise
• Limit to one page

Resume

• Limit to one page
• Relevant
• Don't put education first if you're still in college
• Put experience first
• Use large font
• Special skills
• Show character
• Leave off objective - it's understood you're going to report and write
• Reverse chronological order
• Customize your packet
• Indicate the newspaper's attributes
• Alumni database
• Proofread, proofread, and proofread!

Clips/Work Samples

• Showcase of your best work
• Best clips on top
• 8 ½'' x 11'' size
• Get good copies/contrasts
• Make a  bunch of copies
• Insert "folio"
• Make sure the leads aren't similar
• Take out erroneous clips
• Be sure to send a "Thank You" note!

Final Notes:

Patience, Perseverance, and Prayer

Compiled from the Los Angeles Times' student journalism program by InFocus Staff