Okay. I am writing this post in a hurry. I just felt the need to inform those of you who are still in college and wondering what it will be like when you get out there and apply for jobs.
Since I am currently applying for jobs, let me give you a few quick tips!
Stay close with your professors.
Who cares if everyone else thinks you are a teacher's pet? If you went to a college like mine (and if you were a prudent student), odds are, your professors will still want to help you get a job once you graduate. Keep that connection! Nurture it! (Thank you Dr. Pearson for ALL your help!)
Remain friends with your classmates. If not friends, network buddies.
Just because your Facebook friend posts every five minutes about what their cat threw up or how hot it is outside, doesn't mean it's the smartest idea to delete them. Keep up with your classmates, especially those who excel, because they can definitely become your competition in the job market later... OR you could actually end up working with them. It happened to me! True story. (Good story, too).
Do your BEST in the classroom.
This applies to my fellow journalism friends, or anyone else. I have a few articles I wrote for my campus newspaper that I am really proud of, and others I know I could have done better with. I have been asked multiple times to bring writing samples to interviews. Even if the employer doesn't ask, I still bring them. Also, make sure you try to write in different styles and about different things. What if you apply for a sports writing job or a job that requires you to do heavy research about car insurance? Write stories that are reasearch heavy, magazine style, how-to, long, short... Include statistics; write about people, places, food; write a restaurant review; write about things to do in the area. Write things people will want to read - things that are sensational, weird, shocking (but don't embellish the truth, of course), informative, and write about things that give people that warm, fuzzy feeling inside.
Don't be afraid to try something new.
Try freelance writing. Submit an article to a local magazine or newspaper--you will be surprised how much they would like your content that costs them nothing! Make sure it's relevant to their publication. Edit it perfectly, and turn it in early. If you do a good job, that's another published article you can show to an employer.
Get involved.
To my journalism people: Apply for an editor's position. Join the PR club. Write for the yearbook. Get an internship. Become an R.A. Take initiative and get into a position of leadership. Make it your goal to create a beautiful resume that employers can't wait to get their hands on! The more stuff you do, the prettier that resume looks.
Make yourself more valuable by enhancing your skills.
This is a huge deal! The more hats you can wear in a work environment, the more job security you will have. Graphic design, HTML, photography, etc... even politics and history. Learn as much as you can from the classes you are taking. You never know what hat you will need to wear in the future.
Stay up-to-date on the latest!
As a journalist, you NEED a Twitter account to help you keep up with the latest news. Knowing what's up helps you spark intelligent conversations... and what employer doesn't want the assurance that they hired a sharp, intelligent employee? Staying in-the-know will also spark ideas for articles. You should always be writing and reading.
Finally,
When you graduate and get that job, keep track of the things you do and the projects you work on.
Update your resume every couple of months. You never know if/when your own circumstances or your employer's can leave you out of a job. Remembering the skills you have learned will help you impress in the interviews to come.
There you have it. A quick list of what you need to do to become successful once you are free from college. One last bit of advice: Don't be afraid to graduate because you WILL make it, and don't give up searching for that job that will lead you toward your long-term career goal.
Can you think of a tip to add to this list? Please comment below!
Good luck!
