32 of the best real world career and life tips for new journalism graduates entering the newspaper industry
Spring is upon us! And with it, another crop of enthusiastic, bight-eyed, bushy-tailed journalism graduates hatch from their cocoon of schooling and flutter to the market. For all of you students out there (and anyone else looking for advice), let me save you some bumps and give you some of my career advice that they didn’t really tell me in journalism school.
First, make sure you’ve read:
- The 94 ultimate list of resume, job board, interviewing and networking resources
- The Journerdism online journalism salary survey
- My advice to students at the Center for Center for Innovation in College Media
…Now on with the journalism career advice:
Go with your gut.
I’ve found that about 80-90 percent of the time, the gut is right. When doing this though, be sure to recognize the difference between fear and your true gut instinct. Just because you’ve lived in Little Town, USA all your life and leaving may be scary isn’t your gut instinct. Trusting a boss is.
Your boss matters way more than where you are working.
Horrible, stifling, untrusting, unengaging, uncaring bosses will crush your soul faster than anything. Choose your boss wisely. I’ve been pretty fortunate throughout my career to have bosses that gave me some leash and threw me some bones.
Your coworkers / your environment matters a lot too.
Surround yourself with people that inspire and encourage you that you can learn from.
Toxic environments will destroy your life faster than Crystal Meth.
Avoid them like the plague. This isn’t your high school boyfriend that you may think you can ‘fix him and he’ll be a keeper.’ Maybe you can sometimes, but by the time you do you’re finished fixing it, you’ll be going to be bitter and old. Get out as quick as possible and read the No Asshole Rule if you’re stuck in a toxic environment or if you see one forming.
Research your job and compensation package like you would preparing a legal argument to keep your mother out of jail.
Call in favors, references, background checks, the whole 9-yards. Be
