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SuccessA CAREER GUIDE produced by The Fund, Inc. INTRODUCTION elcome to our revised and updated career guide, “The Journalist’s Road to WSuccess.” We first began offering this publication in 1962. Since then, some 750,000 copies have been distributed to high school and college students as well as newspaper advisers and guidance counselors around the country. Thanks to a generous grant from Elizabeth M. Steele, we were able to produce 10,000 copies of this new publication, which, for up to four copies, is available free of charge to interested students and teachers. For copies, write to us at: Dow Jones Newspaper Fund/ attn: Journalist’s Road to Success/PO Box 300/Princeton, NJ 08543-0300. Or, send us an email at: newsfund.dowjones.com, with Road to Success in the subject line. For five copies or more, the cost is $2 per copy, to cover postage and handling. The publication is designed to be used in conjunction with our website—http:// djnewspaperfund.dowjones.com. Once at the website, click on “publications,” then on “schools and scholarships.” From there, you’ll be able to navigate around dozens of sites offering scholarships and hundreds of schools offering degrees in journalism and mass communications. Among the highlights in this edition: question asked frequently by high school students is: “Do I need to go to a A journalism school if I want to become a journalist?” The answer is: Maybe, and maybe not. On the one hand, we have an article by Bill Elsen, a retired director of Richard S. Holden, recruiting and hiring at who argues that there are many paths to a Executive Director, journalism career. On the other hand, Marie Hardin, a professor of journalism at Penn Dow Jones Newspaper State University, suggests that journalism professors can offer advice that might not be Fund, Inc. found elsewhere; Ken Hall, vice president/news of the Ottaway Inc. subsidiary of Dow Jones & Co., makes a persuasive pitch for the role that community journalism plays in our society. You’ll find that the circulation size of a newspaper has no bearing on the publication’s quality. Fairness, accuracy and objectivity don’t determine how many papers are sold every day. Good journalism is good journalism, regardless of the name, and some of the best journalism in the country is produced at what many would regard as “small” newspapers; Joe Grimm, the recruiting and development editor at the Detroit Free Press, has a national reputation as one of the best sources of information for students interested in careers in journalism. He shares his thoughts on the importance of internships; Also in this edition we have for an article in Spanish, accompanied by an English translation, about the new opportunities for bilingual journalists in the fast- growing Spanish-language press. Gilbert Bailon, publisher and editor of Al Dia in Dallas, offers tips to those students attracted by this sector of the media. These are only a few samples of the articles contained in this publication. We encour- age you—whether students, teachers or advisers—to read this information and provide comments and feedback to us. While we can’t guarantee “success” in your career, we are confident that this publica- tion will put you on the right .

Cover photos by Andrew Loehman of the University of at Austin, Steven Dearinger of (, Kan.) and Eric Gay of the . A Career GUIDE The Dow Jones Newspaper Fund, Inc. Copyright ©2005

Contents About the Newspaper Fund 4 Newspaper Fund Programs 5 SPJ Code of Ethics 6 Why Ethics Are Important 7 The Journalist's Mission 7 An Overview of Careers 8 The Big Story: Diversity 9 Journalism Schools--Yes 10 Journalism Schools--No 11 Why Internships Are Essential 12 Applying for a Newspaper Job 13 Before the Job Interview 14 When the Phone Rings 15 Careers in Online Journalism 15 How to Construct a Résumé 16 Sample Résumé 17 Spanish-Language Newspapers 18 Careers in Editing 19 Effective Visual Journalism 20 Importance of Community Journalism 21 Professional Organizations 22 THE NEWSPAPER FUND HE NEWSPAPER FUND was created tronically. WSJ.com was founded in 1995. It is Tin 1958 by then-Dow Jones & Co. chair- the largest paid circulation subscription site on the man Bernard Kilgore to encourage young people entire World Wide Web with more than 725,000 to consider careers in journalism. The Dow Jones paid subscribers. The Dow Jones Newswires grew Foundation continues to provide the primary sup- from the Dow Jones News Service, which has port for the Newspaper Fund, along with contri- been the leading electronic provider of compre- butions from other newspapers and newspaper hensive and stock markets news to the companies nationwide. securities industry for more than 100 years; Dow Dow Jones & Company publishes the world’s Jones Interactive, an on-line business news and most vital business and and - research service, provides access to more than P.O. Box 300 mation. The company’s publication, 6,000 sources. Princeton, NJ The Journal, is the leading global Dow Jones produces news and information 08543-0300 newspaper of business. Dow Jones also pub- for television through a global business televi- lishes The Asian Wall Street Journal, The Wall sion alliance with CNBC. It offers audiences in Street Journal and the U.S., and Europe unparalleled business Telephone: Special Editions, a collection of Journal pages, news programming reaching more than 170 mil- 609-452-2820 in local language, printed in 34 leading national lion homes. newspapers around the world. The centerpiece of This Guide is edited and distributed by the Dow Fax: these Special Editions is The Wall Street Journal Jones Newspaper Fund. Americas, published in Spanish and Portuguese. Special thanks go to the American Society of 609-520-5804 More than 14 million people around the world Newspaper Editors and the Society of Professional subscribe to a global edition of The Wall Street Journalists for allowing excerpts from their publi- E-mail: Journal or one of The Wall Street Journal Special cations to be included in this book. newsfund@ Editions. Up to four copies of this publication will be wsj.dowjones.com Dow Jones also publishes Barron’s, the Far provided free of charge. For five or more cop- Eastern Economic Review, The Wall Street Journal ies, the cost is $2 apiece, which covers the cost Classroom Edition and SmartMoney. of postage and handling. The publication can be Web: In addition, the company owns Ottaway ordered online at newsfund.dowjones.com, with http://DJNews­ Newspapers Inc., a group of daily and weekly "Road to Success" in the subject line. Orders must paperFund. community newspapers. be prepaid or accompanied by a purchase order. dowjones.com Dow Jones also excels in news delivered elec- Please make checks and money orders payable to

Officers and Staff Alumni Return In May of 1979, 10 in- Richard J. Levine terns showed up at Temple President University’s School of Jour- nalism to begin a two-week course with Dr. Edward Richard S. Holden Trayes. They had been cho- Executive Director sen as part of the News- paper Fund’s copy editing internship program. Twen- Linda P. Waller ty-five years later on May Deputy Director 22, 2004, all 10 showed up again to surprise the profes- sor as he taught his newest Phil Avila group of interns headed for Project Manager metropolitan newspapers. The group spent the entire day in class with the Jerry Luckie 14 interns training for their Office Manager summer jobs.

4 A CAREER GUIDE ThePROGRAMS Dow Jones Newspaper Fund works closely with teachers, editors, counselors and students to achieve our goal of encouraging students to consider careers in journalism.

FUND RECOGNIZES OUTSTANDING internship training component. All internships are HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS paid, and DJNF awards a $1,000 scholarship to Each fall, DJNF names High those students who return to school full time in School Journalism Teacher of the Year as part of the semester following their internship. College the Journalism Teacher Awards Program. A $1,000 minority sophomores and juniors are offered grant from the Fund provides a college journalism internships through DJNF’s Business Reporting scholarship to a student from the school of the Internship program. These students attend a one- Teacher of the Year. Also, four students who attend week training program and also are eligible for the schools of four Distinguished Advisers receive $1,000 scholarship. $500 journalism scholarships. COPY EDITING SEMINARS HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS ENCOURAGE The Fund occasionally offers seminars that MINORITY STUDENTS bring together editing professors primarily from The Fund cooperates with local news the nation's Historically Black Colleges and organizations and journalism schools to sponsor Universities. The seminars cover a wide range High School Journalism Workshops. Workshops of topics, including curriculum planning, law and attract up to 600 students each year. More than the media, layout and makeup and teaching new- 11,000 high school minority students have media courses. participated in the program since 1968. CAREER INFORMATION URBAN HIGH SCHOOL Providing journalism career information for NEWSPAPER PROJECT students, teachers, counselors, and parents is an The Fund has provided a limited number of important service of the Fund. This booklet, The grants to start, revive or bolster high school Journalist’s Road to Success, contains information newspapers at schools with a large concentration on how to prepare for a journalism career and how of students of color, primarily in urban areas. These to find a journalism job. The online versions at newspapers should be or tabloid. http://DJNewspaper­Fund.dowjones.com, provides links to the journalism and mass communication HIGH SCHOOL NEWSPAPER departments of almost 400 colleges and universities PROJECT GUIDEBOOK as well as scholarships, training programs, In conjunction with the Urban High School internships, media employers and journalism Newspaper Project, DJNF has published a manual, organizations. In the Beginning: Reviving Scholastic Journalism, School by School, on how to start, or restart, a ADVISER UPDATE newspaper in a high school. The booklet provides This free quarterly scholastic newspaper keeps the nuts and bolts of what goes into starting high school teachers informed about developments a newspaper, from dealing with the reluctant in journalism education and the profession in students to determining the minimum equipment general. you will need. It also spells out specific duties that should be assigned to students who are working on WALL STREET JOURNAL the newspaper. Copies are available free from the SUBSCRIPTIONS Newspaper Fund. If you're a high school journalism teacher or adviser and would like a free subscription to The COLLEGE STUDENTS Wall Street Journal for classroom use, send us an RECEIVE INTERNSHIPS email with "Wall Street Journal" in the subject College juniors, seniors and graduate students line. are eligible for the Newspaper Editing Intern Program or the Sports Copy Editing Program. All programs involve an intense, two-week pre-

A CAREER GUIDE 5 6 A CAREER GUIDE IT'S IMPORTANT TO LEARN ETHICS EARLY pivotal facts—a number that seems editor of the paper at my small- Barney Calame BY BARNEY CALAME town high school, I once blasted the ournalistic integrity, for me, too high to be true, or a juicy quote is a former that was contradicted by something local telephone company’s service boils down to accuracy and in my column. (All calls in the town deputy manag- fairness. Integrity, or eth- an interviewee told you elsewhere J in an interview. This takes time, and were handled by a human being ing editor of ics, means bringing the highest pos- at the central switchboard.) The The Wall Street sible degree of accuracy and fair- it can have emotional costs if you have to go back to a source that was president of the telephone company Journal. He ness to each story you do. complained angrily to the superin- Integrity isn’t just an issue hostile in the original interview. retired from the Pursuing accuracy and authenti- tendent that I had never given the for journalists who get paid. It company a chance to comment. He post in 2004. should be an essential element of cation can be tough on your ego. If you don’t understand what a source was right, even though the facts in any journalistic career from the very my piece were solid. I resigned beginning—whether it starts in high is telling you, you have to be will- ing to risk appearing dumb and ask in a huff about “interference” and school, college or later in . went off to launch my own little This devotion to integrity and for elaboration or ask what some jargon or term-of-art means. While mimeographed newspaper to make ethics is a key aspect of what sets the case that I couldn’t be silenced. journalism apart from many , some sources may try to use such an exchange to intimidate you, most of But as I continued my career, I came press releases, and op-ed page com- to realize that I had done something mentary. When we journalists let them will admire your candor and concern about accuracy in the story clearly unfair and unethical. I will integrity slip, we become little dif- never forget that lesson about fair- ferent from all the other people you will be writing. Fairness is perhaps even harder ness. out there clamoring for the public’s So, yes, accuracy takes hard attention. to achieve than accuracy. Facts, typically, are facts. But what’s fair work and practicing fairness may Practicing ethical journalism mean stopping to suppose that the isn’t just a state of mind or a com- or unfair can be much less precise. Developing a sense of journalistic person you are writing about is your mitment you sign in the fall when mother or your boyfriend. But, you join the newspaper staff. It’s fairness, I believe, requires some thoughtful contemplation on your please believe me, the future of hard work—every week. journalism depends on how well Accuracy, for instance, doesn’t part. Experience and a mentor, such as the adviser for your paper, can be you master these essential elements come just from taking accurate of journalistic integrity and ethics. notes or copying down an address extremely important. correctly. Real accuracy comes Experience can be a tough from going back to double check teacher, I can assure you. As the

most precious and most fragile American right – the right of a THE JOURNALIST’S free press. Student journalists are under increasing pressure from fel- MISSION low students, school officials and the community to put press freedom on the shelf. A First Amendment Congress survey he desire to write and publish fair and honest infor- reported that more than half of young people, if they had to mation burns in the of every journalist. name a freedom to surrender first, would choose freedom of That is the major reason thousands of young the press. Contrast that with ’s passionate T statement at the birth of the nation: “Were it left to me to decide people choose careers in writing and editing. Amy Wang, an assistant bureau chief at whether we should have a government without newspapers, or in Portland, said her reason for becoming a journalist was newspapers without government, I should not hesitate for a “because I was and am an idealist who thinks the free flow of moment to prefer the latter.” information can only help the world. A Knight Foundation study released in 2005 showed some “If you’re a writer, don’t worry about your byline count. disturbing trends as well. The survey involved more than Worry about making readers understand what it is you’re about 100,000 high school students, nearly 8,000 teachers and more to tell them and why they should care,” Wang says. “If you’re than 500 administrators and principals. Among its findings: an editor, remember that whether you’re pulling together a big Nearly 75 percent of high school students either do not know investigative series or fixing typos in a brief, you’re making it how they feel about the First Amendment or they take it for easier for the readers to understand what is happening in their granted; half believe the government can censor the internet, world and why. That’s where the real fun of journalism lies.” and more than a third think the First Amendment goes too far The journalist’s job in society has its roots in American his- in the rights it guarantees. tory. Newspapers are an integral part of the way our democratic If we are to preserve our freedoms, it is essential that young form of government operates. And journalists, because of their journalists receive training in what these rights represent. abilities to report, write and edit, have been entrusted with the

A CAREER GUIDE 7 Overview of News Careers

ou will not find one magic learn something about the applicant, Smaller city newspapers do more hir- route to a journalism including his or her commitment to ing because turnover at those papers career. journalism and understanding of the is greater. The "rule of thumb" still Y exists: Get a variety of news expe- Whether by chance or design, peo- mission of the journalist. ple who find themselves in journalism Those who are good at personal riences with smaller papers, then took many paths to reach the same salesmanship stand the best chance of consider news work for a major met- destination. landing a job. Some tangible things ropolitan paper, if that is your goal. Anybody who is interested and students can do to demonstrate their STILL HAVE QUESTIONS? talented has the opportunity to write sincere interest in news work include: If you do, that’s perfect. Asking ques- and edit for a newspaper. That is work on a high school and college tions is the primary job of the journalist. because the free press in America newspaper, take as many grammar, Here are some basic questions, some of is not regulated by any government language and writing courses as pos- them hard ones, you will want to ask agency or professional organization. sible in college, get internships and yourself: Many students have heard newspaper write articles for professional news- • Why are you interested in news editors say, “You don’t have to major papers throughout college, and attend work? (Do you want to be a working in journalism in college. We prefer student and professional journalists’ journalist, or just a more knowledge- that you have a broad liberal arts meetings, conventions and job fairs. able news consumer?) background.” Also, students who are fluent in a lan- • What is the value of an undergraduate Such statements come from the guage other than English have much journalism major versus a graduate strong belief that any talented writer, more latitude when it comes time to degree in journalism? (The amount regardless of the choice of college or look for a job. So, if you are studying of time and money you have reserved major field of study, has the opportu- a foreign language, keep studying it, for college may help you answer that nity to be a newspaper reporter and and if you aren't, start taking courses one.) editor. We discuss this issue at greater as soon as possible. • How can I rise above the competition length on pages. to reach my long-range career goals? Most editors who hire beginning SOME OTHER POINTERS (The standard answers – “working reporters and copy editors immedi- So you are interested in news hard” and “obtaining practical expe- ately after college look for two things work. You will want to consider these rience early” – are the best ways.) in their prospective employees: important facts about our business: • So, it’s excitement you want, is it? 1. The ability to write and edit; and • Newspapers are one of the nation’s James Kilpatrick, a legendary news- 2. A sincere interest in a news largest and most respected indus- paper , once put it this career. tries. way: “Newspapering is 10,000 doors • There will be a newspaper job for opened. It is election night, with two DEMONSTRATE ABILITY you when you finish college if you decisive precincts missing; it is the It is important for the nation’s thoroughly develop your writing circus in town, the visiting speaker, newspapers to hire better and better and editing abilities through practi- the legislative hearing, the city bud- talent as the public’s demand for better cal experiences. The foun- get, the building of a highway, a news coverage increases. Newspapers dation for writing and editing is new stock issue, a commencement routinely use writing and editing tests to read newspapers avidly and to address. It is a governor speaking to gauge prospective employees’ abil- constantly analyze the writing of wearily of some program killed. It ities. Editors will also want to review others. is a world of frauds and honest men, outstanding recent clippings from col- • You can expect to be paid a com- and always a deadline coming up.” lege and professional papers. petitive salary after college and Newspaper work is exciting. Editors also take leads from college throughout your newspaper career. It is glamorous and it is rewarding. journalism instructors they respect, • Your first, second or third employer Newspapers are a vital link in maintain- and by talking with other newspaper after college will not be your last. ing our free society. editors who have observed an appli- These jobs will, at best, only help Newspapering is where the action is cant’s writing and editing first-hand. you answer your continuing career for today’s writers. questions. They will provide you MEASURING INTEREST with the experience you need to Interest in news work is harder reach the career goals you set for to measure. Generally, this factor is yourself. covered in the personal interview. • The largest news organizations That is where the editor attempts to hire few people right from college. 8 A CAREER GUIDE Diversity Covering the biggest story of this century

BY BOBBI BOWMAN ow many of you go to a school where Teen culture in general is currently in boom more than 20 different languages are mode because the U.S. has more teenagers than at Hspoken? any time since the boomers themselves were young. How many of you attend a high school where Some 76 million American Echo kids either already nearly everyone on the soccer team was born in are, or over the few years will become teenag- , Bosnia, or ? ers. You are a mosaic of how the U.S. is changing. As David Foot and Daniel Stoffman say in their Bobbi Bowman is When you become a journalist, you’ll be reporting book “Boom, Bust & Echo”: The demographic shift Diversity Director at and writing about the best story of this century— means boom times for many products. The apparel, the American Society of how this country goes from white to brown. If you technology, beer and marijuana industries are just a Newspaper Editors. want to change the world or just tell your world few that will boom thanks to the Echo generation. what’s going on, then grab a notebook and head for College and university enrollments will climb. a newsroom. The largest college graduating classes will occur This story is about you and your generation. from 2011–13. (Remember that the oldest boomers You will be the first generation to live in an America turn 65 in 2011.) where white folks are no longer the majority. For That means more demand for rental apartments. your generation the question will truly be—can we Good news for retailers is that these Echo teens all just get along? have more money than their boomer parents had That’s the story you’re going to cover, and it at the same age. In the 1950s, kids competed for will take you everywhere. It will affect schools, col- spending money in one-income families. Because of leges, politics, elections, employment, and whether growing life expectancy, some Echo kids are blessed police officers can talk to the people they are arrest- with four grandparents. That demographic situation ing. has given rise to the phenomenon some marketers Demographics is not about numbers. It’s about call the “six-pocket kid.” It is the reason why Nike money, people and power. shoes are up to $200 and a Why are you the big story? T-shirt is $50. • 26 percent of the U.S. population is 18 and Your friends are going to make news and you’re younger. (Baby Boomers are 28 percent.) going to write about it. • 40 percent of young people are minority, making you the most diverse U.S. genera- tion ever. • In addition, 31.4 percent of all African Americans and 34.9 percent of all Latinos are 18 or younger. Only 22.6 percent of whites are kids. The logo for Unity, the organization that brings together You are the Echo generation. The children of the Asian American Journalists Association, the National the Baby Boomers. You were born between 1980 Association of Black Journalists, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and the Native American Journal- and 1995. You started graduating from college at the ists Association can be found at the organization's website turn of this century. But the bulk of you are now in at www.unityjournalists.org. middle and high school.

A CAREER GUIDE 9 Should I Major in It worked out well for Steve Bien-Aime, who got lots of good advice along the way

BY MARIE HARDIN already done what you hope to achieve. They can teve Bien-Aime has wanted to be a journal- offer advice to help you get there – advice you won’t S ist as long as he can remember. He read find elsewhere. The Philadelphia Inquirer as a child, following his Critical thinking skills and knowledge that favorite teams in the sports section. you won’t get in a newsroom. Some people argue that “I always loved newspapers,” Bien-Aime the newsroom is the only place to learn journalism. said. “They always seemed to know everything.” Don’t believe them. For instance, newsrooms aren’t As a teenager, he began working for his the place to learn about ethics. You need to learn school paper while writing and shooting photos for about ethics before you get there so you don’t make a local weekly. When Bien-Aime enrolled at Penn mistakes that could hurt others and your reputation. State University in 2000, his choice of major was You also need to learn about media law, news obvious: journalism. judgment and professionalism. Your journalism Marie Hardin is an courses will focus on these. That choice paid off. When he graduated assistant professor of four years later, Bien-Aime felt well prepared for Access to internships and job leads. No journalism and director the pressures of daily newspaper work. He has start- matter how many journalism courses you take, your ed his career as a copy editor for The News-Journal professors will remind you that internships are really of the Center for Edit- in Wilmington, Del. key to landing the job you want. ing Excellence at Penn For Bien-Aime and thousands of other he more, the better. Bien-Aime started State University. recent graduates, a journalism major has proved Twith a Dow Jones Newspaper Fund the clearest path to careers at daily newspapers, top business reporting internship, after his sophomore and broadcast news outlets. Most people year, at the Erie Times-News. The next summer, who work in these careers are journalism gradu- he worked at The Times, and after he ates. graduated, he edited sports copy at his childhood Perhaps you’re considering a major. If favorite: The Philadelphia Inquirer. Through you’re planning a career in journalism, the choice internships he gained experience and collected is clear. Here is what you can expect with a journal- clips. ism degree: Although you can learn about internships Training in a supportive environment. and job leads if you’re not a journalism major, it’s Even if you’ve worked on your high school paper or much easier if you’re in the program. Professors will TV news production, you have a lot to learn before tell you about them and write recommendation letters you’re ready for the “real world.” College classes for you. Editors and industry leaders will visit your in reporting, editing, design, broadcast news and classes, and you’ll learn about more opportunities. will sharpen your skills and provide In short, you’ll be plugged in. you with practice, practice, practice. Convinced that journalism school is for hese classes will supplement your work you? Good. Tfor college media (such as the student But journalism school can’t be the only newspaper) by offering feedback from experienced choice you make. Get as much practical experience professionals. You won’t get that in a newsroom run as you can while in college. Bien-Aime started by your peers, who, too, are just learning. writing for the student paper his freshman year – Bien-Aime remembers tips from journalism before his first journalism class. That’s typical of the professors who read his articles in Penn State’s brightest students. Get on board quickly. student newspaper. “You appreciate the honesty and Many journalism programs will require the frankness,” he said. “It motivates you to work you to take most of your classes on other topics, harder.” maybe even minor in another subject. That’s great. Mentoring by experienced faculty. Bien- Journalists need to know about much more than Aime, who took his first journalism class as a reporting, writing and editing. They need to know sophomore, remembers the teacher: John Curley, about the world. Bien-Aime studied political science founding editor of USA Today. Bien-Aime also and economics, which has helped him on the job. took a course from Gene Foreman, former managing So go for that journalism degree. Mix in all editor of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Bien-Aime the experience you can, and add another area that benefited from their wealth of knowledge and interests you. In four years, what started as a hope mentoring skills. will become real. Guaranteed. Journalism school faculty members have

10 A CAREER GUIDE Journalism? (or Not?) Students can pick up the skills in a newsroom while developing areas of expertise

BY BILL ELSEN York Times and now is a . hen he was executive editor of The Another fascinating encounter came dur- WWashington Post, Ben Bradlee once ing a job fair interview with a student whose résumé asked a group of student journalists why any of listed her as a journalism major at a small North them would consider taking a three-hour college Carolina college. I asked what other subjects inter- course to learn writing. “We could teach ested her. Well, she said, I’m also majoring in biol- you that in the newsroom,” he said. ogy, but my adviser said you wouldn’t be interested Well, perhaps. in that. Bradlee’s larger point was that many smart hat terrible advice! Those who hire young people can learn newspaper journalism by Winterns like nothing better than to working in a professional newsroom and paying find someone who has journalism ability and genu- close attention to what happens there. I was one of ine, wide interests beyond the newsroom. A news- Bill Elsen is a former them. paper career may take you virtually anywhere. The director of recruit- My first steps were a four-week summer profession has room for generalists and specialists ing and hiring at The workshop at the Catholic University of America in but none for people unwilling to learn new things Washington Post. Today Washington, D.C., after my freshman year of high often and well. school and then a year at my high school newspaper. he serves as a consul- The Washington Post hires about 20 sum- At age 17, I became a high school sports reporter mer newsroom interns. Since 1998, slightly more tant to college newspa- for the Washington Daily News and started an excit- than half have been journalism or communications pers nationwide. ing learning process that continued throughout my majors, with political science, government and his- newsroom career. tory the next most popular majors. Other interns That was decades ago, and although simi- majored in a wide range of subjects, including lar opportunities now occur less frequently for English, international relations, biology, philosophy, young newspaper journalists, learning this craft in applied mathematics, economics, sociology and the classroom and on the job has lost none of its humanities. luster. Their young careers have since taken them y purpose is not to advise against to jobs reporting on politics, education, courts, Mattending journalism school or transportation, business, the environment, sports, majoring in journalism. For many young students, health and foreign news. Several are copy editors particularly those uncertain about how and where to and page designers. center their interests, journalism classrooms offer a Most would tell you that no experience has fine start in determining what they want to do. been more helpful than working in a newsroom as Classes that include hands-on training by part of a team of reporters, editors, photographers, teachers who have spent time recently in a news- designers and graphics artists, all dedicated to the room are vital, as are those that force students to same goal: producing quality journalism day after drill constantly in the basics of the language and day. newspaper production. ost would express gratitude to men- Many students, however, major in other Mtors, older newsroom colleagues who subjects, perhaps taking a few journalism classes helped shepherd them through the maze, offering while honing their skills in a newsroom—at the tips and welcome doses of advice and common campus newspaper and during internships at profes- sense about their work and work habits. sional organizations. High school students should test their inter- Many colleges do not offer a journalism est in journalism by taking classes and working at major. Does this mean that intern recruiters would the school paper. They should practice being nosy, overlook undergraduates attending, for instance, in a polite way, and read as often as possible. Duke or Vanderbilt, Stanford or Cal Berkeley or the Depending on how well they hone their tal- Ivies or many smaller schools? Certainly not. ents, their college career paths might involve major- One of my most memorable recruiting ing in liberal arts, taking a few journalism classes experiences at The Washington Post occurred at and working at the campus paper and internships. Duke when I met the editor of the campus paper, Journalism majors should consider a double major. The Chronicle. She was a strong writer and editor Take classes in the basics, if you need but had little journalism experience beyond The them. Learn the history of journalism and the legal Chronicle. Her only internships had been in labora- ins and outs. Successful journalists are intelligent tories. She was a biology major. and insanely curious about virtually everything. She became a Washington Post reporting Some even learn to write terrific . intern, then worked for the Web site of The New

A CAREER GUIDE 11 INTERNSHIPS Don’t leave school without one

BY JOE GRIMM let her spend her last month of school working in a s you choose the college that can be newsroom. Right after she graduated from college, your best road to a journalism career, she was hired by The Wall Street Journal. Aput some thought into the vehicle that That month of volunteering helped make that will get you there: your internships. happen. Colleges sometimes tell students to wait College, all by itself, will not be enough to give until they are juniors or seniors to apply. Don’t listen you a good start. to that. Start early and work often. You may not be You’ll need internships—more than one—to ready to work in the big newsrooms when you’re a complete your education and to show editors what first-year student, so work somewhere smaller. you can do. Apply early. Most big summer internships are Plus, think about how awful you would feel if filled by the first of the year. Apply early and keep Joe Grimm is recruiting you spent all this time working to get into journalism trying until you land something. Most internships and development but didn’t find out until after you had graduated that require you to submit examples of your published editor at the Detroit it wasn’t a good fit for you. We think it probably work, and you can get those by working for the Free Press, where will be a good fit, but an internship helps you make school paper. he coordinates the sure. Apply far and wide. We know one very qualified internship program. He As important as college is, a person with great graduate student who failed to get an internship in also has a website with internships and an average education will be better the San Francisco Bay area, where she wanted to all kinds of newspaper off than a person with a great education and no be, while a less-qualified undergrad at the same career advice at www. experience. You want to be well prepared in both university pushed her career along by getting an freep.com/jobspage. areas. internship in North Dakota, which she had never Internships are real-world working experiences. seen. Don’t be afraid to live in a new city. Someone The classroom is no substitute for the real thing and at the paper will help you find a place to live. the campus newspaper, while good, isn’t either. You Experiment with your internships. Find out want to get into a professional newsroom to show what you really like to do. You may want to do the what you can do and to see how well you like it. A same thing every year, but you don’t need to. It can good internship will pay you to do real work. be a lot of fun and make you better to report one You will report and write stories, edit copy, take summer and to edit copy the next, or to write news pictures and design pages—though generally not all and then business and then features. in the same internship. Your boss will be a real editor, Newspaper internships are a great way to have not another student or a professor. And the person some fun in journalism while preparing yourself to working next to you will be a pro. Internships are a fast, confident start in your career. The money, the usually awarded in the summer, when most students friends and the chance to see the country count for a are out of school and when a lot of journalists like lot, too, but the best reasons to intern are for what it to take vacations. does to help your career. Television and internships are usually unpaid. Newspapers usually pay their interns. The biggest newsrooms pay more than $500 a week. But you’ll have to work your way up to them. Start doing internships early. Still in high school? Ask for an appointment at the local newspaper to apply for any kind of experience they can offer. For high school students, it may be called At the Jobs Page, produced by Joe Grimm, aspiring a co-op, an apprenticeship, an externship or it may journalists have access to a wealth of material that have no name at all. The name doesn’t matter at can help them in their search for the ideal journal- this stage. One student went to a high school that ism job.

12 A CAREER GUIDE APPLYING FOR A JOB Start at local placement office The path to a job or internship is full of unknown here's an idea. Send "before and after" copies twists, turns and randomly spaced potholes. To take of articles that you have edited. That way, an much of the mystery out of job hunting, college stu- editor can easily see the changes that you've dents and graduates who are looking for newspaper made to the text. work will need to consider the following points, 3. Read closely several recent issues of the news- usually in this order: paper before the interview. In the interview, the 1. Select some newspapers you would like to standard rules apply: be alert, courteous, neatly work for. Consult your faculty adviser and dressed…be yourself. Bring samples of your working journalists you know. Then read and work with you to the interview. study those newspapers to see if they appeal 4. Complete any tests and tryouts. More and more to you. Names of news executives and other newspapers are requiring verbal skills tests department heads are easily found. Almost of reporter and editor applicants, so a work- every newspaper has a Web site that contains ing knowledge of wire service style, current relevant information about the newspaper and events, people in the news, and familiarity with its staff. In addition, the Web offers a perfect the particular newspaper is important. Also, source to read a publication that may not be drug testing has become the norm in the indus- available otherwise. Another good source of try. information is the state press assocation, all of 5. Before you accept a job offer from a newspaper, which have Web sites. Remember, you don't consider whether you will be able to live on the score any points by writing to an editor who salary being offered. A good rule of thumb is isn't at the paper any longer. to equate a weekly salary to the monthly rent The best place for college students to start for a one-bedroom apartment. Before the job is the placement office at the school or depart- interview, you should do some research on ment of journalism. Almost every J-School the cost-of-living in the newspaper’s cover- placement director has a current list of news- age area. Also, the beginning professional paper job openings and internships. In addi- should determine what health care benefits the tion, the Web site of the American Society of employer provides and pays for. Newspaper Editors (asne.org) has a wealth of 6. College graduates who are looking for full-time information about available internships employment are urged to avoid newspapers 2. Write a one-page cover letter and a one-page that offer college graduates only “correspon- résumé and mail them to every newspaper you dent,” “stringer” or “intern” positions with no would like to work for. Be sure to tailor the health care or paid vacation benefits. cover letter to fit the employer.­ 7. Minorities should be especially wary of news- And remember, cover letters and résumés papers that offer to hire them under a special or should not simply repeat the same informa- extended probationary period when the paper tion. Students should look at it this way: The hires other college graduates without such a résumé gives the who, what, when and where. prerequisite. The cover letter gives the how and why. And In summary, the prospective employee the cover letter should make it clear to the edi- should consider himself or herself as a young that you're familiar with the publication. professional who has done what is needed to Editors often throw away résumés and letters land a full-time job as a newspaper reporter with grammatical or typing errors, so make or editor. That entails completing a college sure an adviser or another professor takes a degree, having at least one and preferably more look at it before you send it off. You may want internships and working on a college newspa- to enclose five or six clippings of your writing per. that appeared in newspapers or magazines. For copy editors, it's a bit more difficult. But

A CAREER GUIDE 13 BEFORE THE INTERVIEW Do your homework, be prepared BY WALTER T. MIDDLEBROOK 11. Loose clips are just begging to get lost. Things you can do to make yourself attrac- Don’t send them. tive to editors: 12. What kind of clips are you sending out? 1. Be realistic. If you have not had a previous Your package should show a range of your internship, why would one of the larger talents. Have you covered crime and may- newspapers consider your application? hem, police or fire operations? Did you 2. It’s unfortunate, but true. Who you know include a profile? How about a govern- does help. If you are smart, you’ll try to get ment or courts-related story? Do you have to know as many people in this business as clips that show you got off campus and possible. reported on “real people”? 3. Just because you had an earlier intern- 13. Have someone give you an honest assess- Walter T. Middle- ship is no guarantee you’ll get a second ment of your clips. Most college writing is brook is a deputy internship. Take advantage of the opportu- not very good in terms of daily newspaper Long Island edi- nity presented during that first internship. writing. tor at Newsday. While an intern, get to know as many sides 14. Unless you have an extraordinary work Previously, he was of the operation as humanly possible. And record, the résumé should only take up one the newspaper's make sure the operation gets to know you. page. associate editor for 4. An effective résumé is just as important as 15. Unless you have a 4.0 average (5.0 at some . your work record. Are you selling yourself schools), why mention your grade point as a “journalist” or as someone who is average? interested in communications? Have you 16. Know the difference between an “aca- dedicated your life to journalism and does demic” résumé and a “working” résumé. your résumé reflect that dedication? Most newspapers are seeking applicants 5. Does your résumé give a full picture of with “working” résumés. (Working résu- you and what you bring to the table? You més start with a work history. Obviously, are more than a journalist. Your résumé this can only be done if you have a strong should hint at some of the things that make work background. Academic résumés start you stand out from the other candidates by listing the educational background and out there. But be truthful. We’ve seen too are usually produced by people with little much of late of what happens when you are experience. Hint!) not. 17. You should not include more than 12 6. Keep it simple. Fancy paper, fancy designs, clips. bright colors make impressions, but not 18. If you don’t have 12 “good” clips, you necessarily the ones you want to leave. really should reconsider before applying 7. Most file cabinets take 8.5 x 11-inch paper. to the larger papers. And if you don’t have Anything larger or smaller causes filing any clips, you really should reconsider problems. You don’t really want to be a applying to any newspaper. “filing” problem. 19. Make sure you have a story behind most of 8. Repackage your clips (cut & paste) to fit the stories in your clips package. It makes on 8.5 x 11-inch paper. Attach the news- the interview process so much easier. paper’s flag on the stories that were on 20. Take the tension off the interviewer. Be display pages. ready to retell that story mentioned in No. 9. Put your best clips up front and the big- 19. gest stories or the stories that tell stories. 21. Don’t come to an interview unless you Chronological order is not important. have gathered some data about the paper 10. If your story got great play in the news- or your interviewer. paper, send a reduced copy of that display 22. Read the paper, especially the week before page along with a full-size reproduction of your interview. Be prepared to talk about the story. it.

14 A CAREER GUIDE WHAT TO DO Online Journalism WHEN THE The basics with multimedia elements PHONE RINGS BY MALI MICHELLE FLEMING n the world of online journal- ou’ve mailed superb cover let- ism, traditional media meld with ters and expertly tailored résu- Internet technology. Words and Ymés. Don’t lose your momen- graphicsI have a new relationship online that is tum by muffing phone interviews. interactive and immediate, and their coupling If you’re unprepared, unskilled or unman- in cyberspace has changed how news is deliv- nerly on the phone, you will likely “nix” ered. potential job offers, according to Comforce, People who work for online publica- a Woodbury, N.Y., consulting firm. It offers tions start with the basics—solid reporting, the following tips for handling an employ- research, writing and editing skills—and then Mali Michelle Fleming er’s call. is a newswriter at The add multimedia elements. Links to archive Wall Street Journal’s • Always sound alert and interested. articles, transcripts and other supplementary online unit WSJ.com. Enthusiasm will increase your chances text, interactive graphics and photo slide shows of landing an interview. Remember to are often used in electronic publications. Audio and video of news con- ask pertinent questions; it will make you ferences and other events can also be offered online, combining print and seem more eager. broadcast media into one. • Eliminate background noise. You’ll seem Cyberjournalism has come a long way since the first electronic unprofessional if the caller can hear your news sites were launched in the mid-1990s, and more journalists are television, radio or children. Try to make working in the burgeoning field. I have been employed as an online your sound as quiet as an office. journalist for nearly two years after spending the majority of my career Avoid any unnecessary disruptions. Also, at newspapers and magazines. I got my feet wet with online media if you have an answering machine that when I taught “old-media skills”—that is, editing stories for grammar sounds like a sound track from "Animal and style—to graduate students in a new-media class at my alma mater, House," change it. Likewise, don't be ’s Journalism School in New York. I had no idea too clever with your email address. then that I’d eventually be plying my craft at an online publication. Remember, you are seeking a job in the Now more schools are offering new-media courses to train jour- professional world. Act professionally. nalists of the 21st century. As more readers turn to Web sites to get their • Write down the caller’s name and com- news, there will be more opportunities online for journalists. Working in pany. Refer to the company and the caller new media requires some basic journalism skills and technology knowl- by name during the conversation. Be sure edge to produce stories and multimedia packages. Here are some tips: to follow up with a letter, even if you Get the Basics: Every journalist needs to master the basics of aren’t asked to interview. reporting and writing. No matter what the , the essential who, • Be prepared. Keep your résumé, appoint- what, when, where, why and how must be answered. Good reporting ment book and a list of the jobs you’ve strengthens a story and gives background and context. Learn how to applied for by the phone. Never say: “I’ve write lean, active stories and how to trim the fat. Be fair and accurate. sent out so many résumés, refresh me on Analyze This: Develop analytical skills to interpret fast-break- your company and the job you’re offer- ing events and a nose for news. News often happens quickly, and online ing.” Invest in an answering machine so media have the ability to provide fluid, immediate coverage. Your job you can return calls or hear a message if will be to understand the news and tell a story in a compelling, compre- the phone rings at an inconvenient time. hensive manner. • Give concise answers. Think of questions Web Research: The world is literally at your fingertips on the that might be asked beforehand. Don’t Internet. Learn how to research quickly and effectively on the Web waste the caller’s time by rambling. to find information. Look for reliable data and remember to credit the • Be flexible in scheduling an appointment. sources you use. If you've impressed them enough to get Be a Techie: Learn the technology for Web production, such as an interview, keep up the positive image HTML, Illustrator, Java, etc. Use the latest tools to create engaging news by being readily available. packages that mix content, interesting graphics, audio and video.

A CAREER GUIDE 15 YOUR RÉSUMÉ Putting your best foot forward First impressions are lasting ones. should convince the newspaper editor That is why an outstanding cover letter that you have the right background for the and résumé are so important, whether you are job, and this would be the time to tie your applying for an internship, a first job after col- immediate job hunt to your long-range lege or your 10th job. career goals. 4. Education. List all colleges you have THE COVER LETTER attended, your majors, your date of grad- Your cover letter explains why you are send- uation and the degree you will or have ing your résumé to a particular newspaper. The received. Also list any workshops or sem- answer to that question should be included in inars you have attended, as long as they the first paragraph of a one-page cover letter. relate directly to the job you are seeking. The second paragraph can summarize your 5. Practical experience. This should be in talents and what you have to offer the newspa- chronological order, so there are no gaps per, perhaps by listing one or two of your most in your background. An editor should be recent accomplishments as examples. The third able to learn about every major thing you paragraph can refer to your education and pro- have done since high school by reading fessional credentials. this part. Include work on high school Your typed cover letter must be directed and college newspapers, internships and to the person who hires reporters and copy other journalism related work. Tailor the editors at the newspaper and should have no type of experiences you list to the type of typographical errors or misspellings. job you are seeking. 6. Professional affiliations. Listing the THE RÉSUMÉ journalism professional organizations The résumé is nothing for you to agonize you belong to will indicate that you have over. But since almost every employer will ask a commitment to newspaper journalism. you for one at some point in the hiring process, If you belong to a minority organization, make sure that yours is a good one. listing that affiliation could subtly iden- First, be sure it’s current and comprehen- tify your race or ethnicity. sive. At a minimum it should include your 7. Awards and honors. Include only your name, address and phone number; a complete most prized awards or honors. summary of your work experience; and an 8. References. Contrary to general advice education profile. about résumés, newspaper editors like A second rule of résumé-writing is to keep to see the names, addresses and phone the résumé concise. Most employers don’t numbers of at least two references who want to read more than two pages, and one know about and will comment on your page is preferable. journalistic abilities. Be sure to ask your The ideal résumé has eight parts. prospective references for permission to 1. Name, address, phone number and list them beforehand. e-mail address. Include contact informa- You should not include such information as tion for while you’re at school as well as your vital statistics–age, weight, marital status, your permanent contact information. number of children, etc. – on either your résu- 2. Position desired. This part should include mé or cover letter. It is illegal for an employer the one job you are applying for and when to ask you those questions. you can start work. The illustration on the facing page offers 3. Summary statement. This paragraph only one of dozens of résumé formats.

16 A CAREER GUIDE Name, address, phone number and e-mail address. Include contact information for while you’re at school as THE RÉSUMÉ well as your permanent contact information. JONATHAN DOE Summary statement. This paragraph should convince Position desired. This Permanent: Campus: the newspaper editor that part should include the 1548 Towne Ave. 1540 Washington St. you have the right back- one job you are apply- New York, N.Y. 10007 University Station, S.C. 29306 ground for the job, and this would be the time to tie ing for and when you (212) 000-0000 (803) 000-0002 can start work. your immediate job hunt Web site: http://www.joedoe.net email: [email protected] to your long-range career goals. Position Desired: Editing internship for the summer of 2006. Earliest start date May 15.

Summary Statement: I am a college sophomore interested in a career in newspaper editing. I have done my best work as a copy editor Practical experience. in class and on the college newspaper. An editing internship will sharpen my skills and give me the chance to This should be in chron- work with and learn from professional journalists. ological order, so there are no gaps in your background. An editor Education: should be able to learn August 2004 to present……………………….University of the Carolinas about every major thing 2000-2004…………………………………….Collegeville (Va.) High School, valedictorian you have done since high school. Summer 2003…………………………………Journalism Camp for high school students in Collegeville, Va. Education. List all colleges Practical Experience: you have attended, your May to August 2005………………………….Editing intern for Collegeville Times majors, your date of August 2004 to present…. .………………….Stringer for Collegeville Times graduation and the degree you will or have received. May to August 2004………………………….Copy editor for The University Herald Also list any workshops or seminars you have attended, Professional Affiliations: as long as they relate Society of Professional Journalists, president, campus chapter directly to the job you are seeking. National Association of Black Journalists, vice president, student chapter Kappa Tau Alpha, member of this national journalism honor society Professional affiliations. Awards and honors: Listing the journalism professional Dean’s list every semester at the University of the Carolinas organizations you belong to will indicate that you have a commit- References: ment to newspaper journalism. Mr. Thomas Lampsun Prof. William Clarke Mrs. Helen Shea Awards and honors. Managing Editor College of Journalism Director Include only your most Collegeville Times University of the Carolinas Collegeville YMCA prized awards or honors. 24 Mount Morris Ave. Campus Box 08543 10022 Marlene Drive Collegeville, Va. 24012 University Station, S.C. 29802 Collegeville, Va. 24021 (703) 000-0000 (803) 000-0000 (703) 000-0001 email: [email protected] email: [email protected] email: [email protected]

References. Contrary to general advice about résumés, newspaper editors like to see the names, addresses and phone numbers of at least two references who know about and will comment on your journalistic abilities. A CAREER GUIDE 17 LA PRENSA LATINA Creando nuevas oportunidades BY GILBERT BAILON os medios de comunicación escrita en New opportunities español vienen expandiéndose a raíz Lde la formación de nuevas compañías mientras que los diarios existentes están creando in growing sector nuevas publicaciones que van desde semanarios hasta diarios con la finalidad de satisfacer al mer- cado hispano de rápido crecimiento. he Spanish-language print media are En el transcurso de un año, se crearon seis dia- expanding as more new companies are rios en español sólo en Texas. Asimismo, muchas T being formed and existing newspapers are creating new publications from weeklies to Gilbert Bailon is nuevas revistas o versiones en español de las revis- tas existentes, vienen expandiéndose abarcando una dailies to tap into the fast-growing Hispanic mar- publisher and editor of ketplace. Al Dia of Dallas. amplia gama de temas desde deportes y belleza hasta hogar y salud. Six Spanish-language daily newspapers were Estas nuevas empresas han creado nuevas opor- created within a year in Texas alone. Also, many tunidades para los periodistas bilingües y de habla new magazines or Spanish-language versions of hispana que trabajan como reporteros, editores, existing ones are expanding on a broad range of fotógrafos, diseñadores de página y traductores. topics from sports and beauty to home and healthy Los periodistas necesitan un alto nivel de living. competencia en lectura y escritura en español así These new ventures have created fresh oppor- como una buena comprensión de inglés. Mientras tunities for Spanish-speaking and bilingual journal- se cuente con más habilidades bilingües, habrá ists who work as reporters, editors, copy editors, mayores oportunidades. photographers, page designers and translators. Estas publicaciones ofrecen contratar a perso- Journalists need a high-level of proficiency nas más jóvenes o inexpertas a quienes están dis- in reading and writing Spanish as well as a good puestos a capacitar ya que el número de candidatos understanding of English. The more bilingual, the es relativamente pequeño en los Estados Unidos. more the opportunities exist. These publications Asimismo, es una gran oportunidad para que los hire younger or inexperienced people whom they periodistas internacionales ingresen al mercado de are willing to train because the pool of candidates los medios estadounidenses con una experiencia remains rather small in the . It also is limitada pero con fuertes habilidades en español. a great opportunity for international journalists to Es importante que los estudiantes y periodistas enter the U.S. media market with limited experience aspirantes cuenten con un portafolio de su trabajo but with strong Spanish skills. al momento de buscar prácticas o empleo. Un cur- It is important that students and aspiring journal- rículo que incluya experiencia con la publicación en ists obtain clips and portfolios of their work to land español aumenta las oportunidades de ser contrata- an internship or job. A résumé that includes work do en una de estas crecientes compañías de medios with the Spanish-language publication increases de comunicación. the opportunity to get hired at one of these growing La Asociación Nacional de Periodistas media companies. Hispanos en www.nahj.org y la Asociación Nacional The National Association of Hispanic Journalists de Publicaciones Hispanas en www.nahp.org son at www.nahj.org and the National Association of buenos recursos para la búsqueda de empleo y Hispanic Publications at www.nahp.org both are capacitación para periodistas bilingües. good resources for job openings and training for bilingual journalists.

18 A CAREER GUIDE NOW SHOWING Copy editing deserves star status BY KRISHNAN M. ANANTHARAMAN too. Being able to think in terms of headlines ollywood doesn’t make movies allows you to focus stories, especially detailed about copy editors. Reporters? Sure. features, on their central themes. It was partic- HThink Woodward and Bernstein, ularly useful when I became a “rewrite” editor, or Clark Kent. Publishers? One film classic assigned to tackle pieces by reporters who were comes to mind. Why, I even a movie about excellent at gathering information but needed an inksetter, a guy who watches the papers help compiling it into a well-focused article. by on the presses to make sure the print As a rewriter, I let my vision of the headline is dark enough. And yet somehow, the copy guide my decisions on what to add to the story, editor’s story remains untold. what to take out, and what to emphasize. Krishnan M. But even Hollywood is smart enough to Rewriting requires extensive contact with Anantharaman recognize the importance of good editing. They reporters, sometimes hours on the phone for is managing editor of give an Oscar for it every year. After all, it’s the a single story, but the effort was always well The Wall Street Journal editor who ultimately decides what viewers see worth it – not only for the stories that were Classroom Edition – and don’t see – and makes sure the scenes improved, but also for the relationships and and was a 1990 Dow come together in a way that makes sense. (OK, trust that developed during those calls. When Jones Newspaper Fund I’m not sure what went wrong with “A.I.”) I moved to the Journal’s foreign desk as an Editing Intern. Newspaper editing, and copy editing in assistant foreign editor, I was in regular contact particular, is not so different. It’s a desk job, with the paper’s network of overseas corre- and not a glamorous one, but it’s crucial to spondents, several of whom worked in remote the mission of a newspaper – making sense of locations under tough conditions. More than world events and conveying them to the reader. anything, these reporters needed to know that That’s why I’ve built my career on the editing they had an advocate back home in the news- side. In 14 years at The Wall Street Journal, I room, someone they could count on to under- have never had a byline, unless you count the stand and promote their best story ideas (and one above. But day after day, I take pride in to be honest with them about their bad ones). seeing the impact of my work in the paper. During this time, I had the privilege of work- It all starts with writing the headline – the ing with some of journalism’s brightest minds, most important part of a copy editor’s job, and including winner my favorite. Ask yourself: How often do you and , the reporter who was killed read a story in the paper without reading the by terrorists in Pakistan. headline first? Never, right? Now, how often Today, I work in a different environment, far do you read a headline without reading the from New York and away from the daily grind. rest of the story? You see? A good copy editor But as managing editor of The Wall Street makes all the difference in determining what Journal Classroom Edition, a monthly news- gets read. The entire mission of the newspaper paper for high-school students, I’m still at the rests on an editor’s ability to crystallize a story paper’s front lines. I write headlines, rewrite in five to 10 words. That’s a real, rare and stories, help coordinate graphics and do all the under-rated skill. Most reporters can’t do it. other things that editors do. I am also intro- That’s why their stories end up being hundreds ducing our publication to a new generation of of words long. In my early years as a copy edi- readers, trying to build their trust as they grow tor at the Journal’s New York headquarters, I up to become consumers and investors. It’s the paid particular attention to improving my head- best job I’ve had yet. line writing, knowing that it was my first and Will they make a movie about me? Probably best chance to connect with the reader. not. But if they do, I hope it’s well-edited. Headline writing is a skill you can build on,

A CAREER GUIDE 19 VISUAL JOURNALISM Storytelling through photos & graphics BY SUSAN MANGO CURTIS of columns on a page, typography, eye-catch- visual journalist tells stories using ing graphics, enlarged quotes and many other more than words. visual devices that help guide readers to what’s A Visual journalism takes pho- important in the news. tographs, illustrations, charts, informational People working in the field of visual graphics, maps, sketches, cartoons, motion pic- journalism include art directors, copy editors, tures, headlines, colors and text and organizes creative directors, design directors, graphic all the elements into a design that attracts read- artists, graphic coordinators, graphic report- ers and communicates vital information. ers, informational illustrators, layout editors, “Good writing and good design is essential new-media designers, news designers, page Susan Mango Curtis to make the reader understand what’s going on, designers, photographers, photo editors, politi- is assistant profes- especially when sorting through the flood of cal cartoonists, presentation editors and Web sor at Medill School information that is available around the world designers. of Journalism, visual journalism, and former these days,” says Svenåke Boström, quality At smaller publications, visual journal- assistant managing edi- assurance manager at Sundsvalls Tidning in ists contribute to many areas, while at larger tor-design and graph- Sweden and a former president of the Society operations their jobs become more specialized. ics, Akron Beacon for News Design. In recent years, visual journalists have moved Journal (Ohio). Visual journalists produce designs for news- into senior executive positions at news organi- papers, magazines, Web sites, phone screens, zations. They now work in jobs from assistant PDAs and other developing news media. The managing editor/design and deputy managing field offers a wide variety of opportunities for editor/design to managing editor and even any individual looking for a creative environ- publisher. ment where every day brings a new challenge. Visual journalists have backgrounds in Visual journalism demands excellent art and reporting and editing, graphic design, new design skills, curiosity, ethically sound news media, computers or all of the above. Journalism judgment, a highly developed understanding schools that offer degrees in visual journalism of storytelling, experience with computer soft- include , , ware and the ability to work with others. , University of North “News designers are journalists,” says Ron Carolina, , University Johnson, associate professor at the A.Q. Miller of Miami, Kansas State University, Michigan School of Journalism and Mass Communication State University and the . at Kansas State University in Manhattan. “They Other schools offer classes in visual journal- must understand news judgment—and apply it. ism, but not degrees. Like other journalists, They must comprehend the day’s news and pri- news designers often get their start in journal- oritize it for readers with size and shape.” ism at student newspapers and with part-time All areas of the news require designers jobs and internships at local publications. who can work with reporters and editors to cre- Good designers find their skills transcend ate a compelling package. While the design of the limits of language, and some of the best the front page or magazine cover remains criti- travel the world to work on publications and cally important, designers also contribute to Web sites in a variety of cultures and countries. sports, features, business, the arts and advertis- Visual journalism demands artistic talent, but ing. Visual journalists brainstorm the best ways making news sites attractive is not enough: the to convey a story: Hand-drawn illustration? goal is establishing good communication with Photograph? Special fonts? They also provide readers. As Jukka Pellinen, a Finnish profes- expert views on headline size, photo cropping, sor of visual design, once said, “Good design white space, contrast, color tones, the number makes the world comprehensible.”

20 A CAREER GUIDE THE COMMUNITY PAPER Stepping stone or place to stay BY KEN HALL with a circulation below 25,000, dared to have he buzz and glamour of the NFL that talk with people in three rural counties draft can’t compare to the newspa- through a week-long series, “Sex in the North Tper drafts in the old Madison Square Country.” You can’t do that if you don’t know Garden. drifted around the - the needs of the community and if the commu- ship banners. Men – they were all men in those nity does not trust you. days – put down their fedoras, took a sip or two The Cape Cod Times, more than twice and went to work deciding which members of the size of the other two and with a staff that that year’s J-school class would go right to the allows for more specialization, took on another big leagues and which needed seasoning in the familiar topic – the high price of housing – in Photo by Heidi Heimsal community circuit. an unfamiliar way. Think of Cape Cod and Now, the draft has melted into the hellbox you think of summer theater, artists, fishing. Ken Hall is the vice of newspaper mythology along with linotypes, When cottages can cost $500,000, you have a president/news of proofreaders, even Xacto knives. You won’t story about identity as well as price because the Ottaway Newspapers find any reference to it online, just as you people who can no longer afford to live there Inc. Before that, he won’t find many guides to the real world of are the ones at the heart of the community. was the editor of the community journalism, where a majority of So how do you get a job at one of these Record Eagle in Tra- journalists practice their craft, some to kick off papers? The answer may surprise you. Just verse City, Mich. a career, some to stay for life. because papers are small does not mean they Why do they go there? Because that’s are easy to join. They do not have the luxury of where the jobs are, where they can generalize long training programs. They need people who or specialize, settle in or on, learn from can do the work and do it quickly. I have hired a caring mentor or grow by doing a lot of work people who have had photos and/or stories on with no guidance at all. the front page the next day. They learn the most from people who have Just as there is no right way to write a never seen a newsroom – the readers. If readers story, there is no right way to get these jobs. don’t know you, they know how to find you. You can go to journalism school or to a col- And community newspaper readers really care lege with no journalism. You can contribute as about what you do. Write for a public with that a correspondent or try for a nearby weekly. As kind of access and you learn a lot about check- long as you have something to show, some sto- ing facts and naming sources. ries, photos, graphics or designs, you can get in Combine the scrutiny of readers, the ambi- the door. As long as somebody can vouch for tion of the paper and the immersion into com- your work, preferably an editor, you can get an munity and you get some very good journal- interview or tryout. ism. I worked at community papers for 27 The Pocono Record in Stroudsburg, Pa., years and still keep up with alumni in places with a circulation under 25,000, launched an like Flint, Mich., and Albany, N.Y. But I also investigation into a mortgage and housing keep up with those in and scandal that is still working its way through the Washington, those who still write and those local and state courts. The reporter who broke who have moved to the desk, those who are the story noticed that foreclosures were high in public relations and those who have left for and growing quickly. He won a national award both the non-profit and business worlds. from the Investigative Reporters and Editors If you do start at one of these community organization. When he left, the reporter who papers, you eventually will face the choice of picked up the story won a statewide public staying or moving on. People spend their work- service award. ing hoping to retire in some of the com- The world is full of parents who dread munities where we own papers, so it should be having “the talk” with their children. The no surprise that we have people who come for Press-Republican in Plattsburgh, N.Y., also a few years and stay for a career.

A CAREER GUIDE 21 PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS Sources of additional information

American Copy Editors Investigative Reporters National Federation of Society of American Society and Editors Press Women Business Editors and A professional journalism A nonprofit educational A membership organiza- Writers organization for, by and membership organiza- tion of working female The largest association about copy editors. tion that helps working and male journalists in all for business reporters Chris Weinandt journalists, journalism fields of communications- and editors in North President educators and student -newspapers, public rela- America. [email protected] journalists practice and tions, , radio, Carrie M. Padden Tel: 214-977-2932 teach techniques of inves- among others. Executive Director www.copydesk.org tigative journalism. Carol S. Pierce [email protected] Brant Executive Director Missouri School of Asian American Journal- Executive Director PO Box 5556 Journalism ists Association [email protected] Arlington, VA 22205 134 Neff Annex A national membership School of Journalism www.nfpw.org Columbia, MO 65211 organization for students University of Missouri presswomen@.com www.sabew.org and professionals to 138 Neff Annex Tel: 800-780-2715 [email protected] increase employment of Columbia, MO 65211 Tel: 573-882-7862 Asian American print and www.ire.org National Lesbian and Gay broadcast journalists and [email protected] Journalists Association Society of Professional to provide support for Tel: 573-882-2042 An organization of Journalists. Asian American journal- journalists, online media A membership orga- ists. National Association of professionals, and students nization that includes Rene Astudillo Black Journalists that works from within broadcast, print and Executive Director A membership organiza- the journalism industry to wire service journalists. [email protected] tion for students and foster fair and accurate Terry Harper 1182 Market St., Suite 320 professionals to strengthen coverage of lesbian, gay, Executive Director San Francisco, CA 94102 ties among African- bisexual and transgender [email protected] www.aaja.org American journalists and issues. Eugene S. Pulliam Na- [email protected] promote diversity in the Pamela Strother tional Journalism Center Tel: 415-346-2051 newsroom. Executive Director 3909 N. Meridian St. Tangie Newborn [email protected] Indianapolis, IN 46208 Association for Women in Executive Director 1420 K Street NW www.spj.org Communications [email protected] Suite 910 [email protected] A national membership 8701-A Adelphi Road Washington, DC 20005 Tel: 317-927-8000 organization for qualified Adelphi, MD 20783 www.nlgja.org professionals and students www.nabj.org [email protected] South Asian Journalists in all facets of contempo- [email protected] Tel: 202-588-9888 Association rary communications. Tel: 301-445-7100 A membership organi- Patricia Troy Native American Journal- zation for South Asian Executive Director National Association of ists Association journalists working in [email protected] Hispanic Journalists A membership organiza- North America. 780 Ritchie Highway, A membership association tion for students and Deepti Hajela Suite 28-S for professionals and stu- professionals formed President Severna Park, MD 21146 dents dedicated to the rec- to encourage, inspire, [email protected] www.womcom.org ognition and professional enhance and empower c/o Prof. Sreenath Tel: 410-544-7442 advancement of Hispanics Native American commu- Sreenivasan in the news industry. nicators. Columbia Graduate Iván Román Kim Baca School of Journalism Executive Director Interim Executive Director 2950 Broadway 529 14th St. NW Suite 555 N. Dakota St. New York, NY 10027 1000 Vermillion, SD 57069 www.saja.org Washington, DC 20045 www.naja.com [email protected] www.nahj.org [email protected] Tel: 212-854-5979 [email protected] Tel: 605-677-5282 Tel: 202-662-7145

22 A CAREER GUIDE

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