FIRST POSTED AT http://www.theconversation.wamu.org
I was amazed to find that my American University class in Multi-Media Management,starting in mid-January, is already fully subscribed.
Believe me, despite the Great Depression 2, candidates who want to forge a media career in 2009 are still valued, whether its radio, TV, web, print, or all of the above, so long as they have important stories to tell.
As a journalist, manager, and coach, I have learned to distinguish between those aspiring to be famous (or at least recognized by their moms) and those who have something to say based on what they have discovered.
If its all about you, as encouraged by some of the commercial media, then forget it. If its about the stories you want to tell, jobs are still available (assuming you can write), but here is some quick advice.
Don't just rely on your own friends, do your own reporting. You can write stories beyond your own group (Twitter, Facebook,etc) to garner outside interest in your writing. You can overcome shyness and track down strangers who may be able to shed light on your story, ask them relevant questions, and reproduce the answers in a way which accurately reflects their responses. This way, you'll shed new light and new information on issues, not merely replicate the gossip of others. Contrary to contemporary belief, the ability to duplicate other people's reporting does not make you a 'journalist'.
The market for media jobs is fiercely competitive, so it helps to concentrate on pulling together a brilliant letter and resume. Do your best writing. When sending me a resume, the ability to spell my name correctly, and demonstrate some understanding of the programs my radio station airs with a brief description of what they contain goes a long, long way. Showing up knowing where you are, and what the organization does, is a surprisingly easy plus.
In order to survive, you need to know why you are in this competitive industry. You should have a one year, five year and ten-year career target, with the single-mindedness, energy and talent to attract recruiters who are faced with tough choices.
Even today, good journalism is not simply a job. Its a vocation.
