#journalism advice

[erawrites]

Hello there. I'm a journalism major and for my Intro to JLS class we have to study the AP Stylebook. Have you ever had the same requirement and, if so, do you have any studying tips? Thank you!

Hi Anon! The stylebook is journalism 101! So yes, we’ve all had experience with it. However, my journalism classes never asked me to “study” it. That’s something we chose to do (or not do) on our time. But it will 100% be helpful and useful in your classes and work so I would also recommend you brush up on the main stuff. Unfortunately, I don’t have any studying tips. Unless you go in and actually study the book page by page, you will most likely just pick it up when you need to look something up. In the beginning, that will happen a lot but the more you keep writing the more you’ll remember the rules and guidelines. If your professor will be giving you a quiz on it then you should definitely study it. But hey, any time you spent reading it is time well spent! You can never learn enough AP Style! It’s kind of our Bible ;)

[haulix]

How to write compelling concert reviews

Reviews are a dime a dozen these days, but a great live review by an engaging author can still make the difference between a tour's success or failure.

Reviews are a dime a dozen these days, but a great live review by an engaging author can still make the difference between a tour’s success or failure.

Ah, the concert review. It has been a staple of entertainment journalism longer than almost any other feature, appearing long before recorded music was even thought possible, and it will most likely outlast us all. Why? For starters, the…

View On WordPress

[erawrites]

would you recommend majoring in journalism? Is it a realistic job?

Hi Anon! As with most career paths, it’s smart to weigh your options, do a lot of research and see if you have the right skills for the job/are willing to learn the right skills/or have skills that you can easily transfer to a few other jobs within the same career path.

I do think it is a realistic job but it all depends on so many things. For one, your education. Will your college prepare you well? Will you have the drive and ambition to seek out and work at an internship? Are there even opportunities for internships? This all also depends on your location. Bigger city, bigger opportunities, bigger job market. 

Also take a look at other journalists you admire. How did they do it? Or even find any working journalist and go to their LinkedIn and scroll through their job experience. You’ll see their journey and see what kind of internships and work they’ve done throughout their career. Does it look like a career track you’d want YOUR resume to look like?

We still have journalists. We always will. It’s not a mythical career. 

Lastly, build up your skills so that if journalism doesn’t work out you’ll have something else to fall back on. Practice photography, video editing/production, coding, marketing, PR, website design, blogging. A journalism degree/background/experience is an amazing foundation for other jobs. I majored in journalism, wrote and reported a bit, then I worked on the digital production side of a newspaper and now I work exclusively in social media. You never know where a start in journalism will end! Hope this was even a little helpful and feel free to ask more question! Good luck :) 

[egcheng]

“Sometimes the direct approach is best,” he said. “Just pick up the phone.”

http://nyti.ms/1hqYv44

[thejournalista]

Letter To A Young Journalist | Gangrey.com

When I was starting out, my editor often told me what the story was about before I ever went out to report it — so I tried to tailor my questions and observations and even the writing to what I thought the editor wanted. But the story you set out to get…

View Post

[stillastory]

In its most basic form, sportswriting is storytelling. The writing part I've grown to love. I don't know if you can truly love sportswriting, or do it well, without loving the 'writing' too. That's what separates forgettable writing from unforgettable writing, those who care about their writing and tend to it. They tell stories in new and interesting ways.

Tim Rohan -- the New York Times intern who covered a Mets no hitter on his third day -- shares this & other really good advice in this Poynter livechat.

[doristruong]

I'm 17 years old. Hopefully, I can be involved in the world of news reporting. What should I do? Should I studied journalism or communications?

Hello! Sorry for my delay in responding to this.Are you currently a high school senior? If you're interested in reporting, I encourage you to apply for the Asian American Journalists Association's [J Camp](http://www.aaja.org/programs/for_students/journalism_trainings/j_camp/). It's a great program that's free to student participants. You'll learn how to be a journalist across platforms: print, Web, video, photo. And you'll meet some great professional journalists as well as make some amazing connections with other students from around the country.J Camp looks for diversity in its participants -- you need _not_ be Asian American to apply. Just make sure you meet the March 16, 2012, deadline!Where are you based? You should look into joining a local chapter of whichever professional journalism you feel an affinity to: [AAJA](http://www.aaja.org/membership/chapters/), the National Association of Black Journalists, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, the Native American Journalists Association, and the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association are just a few to choose from. You're likely to find active student members near you.When you're looking at a college, find one that has active outlets for journalism. Majoring in journalism or communications is less important than the real-world experience you would gain working on the school paper or for the TV or radio station. That said, I had a wonderful experience at the University of Missouri's School of Journalism, and I recommend its program wholeheartedly.Write back if I can help with more questions!Good luck, and maybe we'll see your byline or your live shots soon!