Get a job in print media with no experience?

Question

I'd love to be a print journalist. I have a BA in Communications and am a fantastic writer who is passionate about the craft. I have a mentor at my current job who lets me get practice by writing small human interest articles for our company newspaper, but that is the extent of my background/experience.

Is there any way to break into a reporting job w/ such little experience?

What kind of clips would I send for a job posting? Can I bring clips that have not been published - just examples of what I can do???

Thanks.

Answer 1

All of the professional job ads Ive seen for print requires a degree in journalism.

Other than that you could be a blogger.

Answer 2

There are plenty of people that major in mass comm that go on to work in newspapers. However, when you do submit clips, don't submit ones that haven't been published. You only want to submit those that have been published, that are fairly relevant to the paper or what they're looking for and include the place it was published, date, etc.

Answer 3

Honestly, it is going to be tough for you to break into a big paper without any experience. But there are ways for you to start out.

First, you can go to your local paper and apply there. If you really are a good writer, you'll move up quick and people will start to notice you.

You should also post everything you do on the web. If some media people see it and like it, they could get in contact with you. The Internet holds numerous possibilities.

Try to get an internship or your masters in communications. That would be much more attractive to print media.

Good Luck in finding a job!