I want to work for a newspaper or magazine when I graduate from college?

Question

I'll be graduating in college in 2 years. I'm majoring in English and minoring in Journalism. I write a weekly column for the school newspaper as well as contribute film reviews when I can. I am a tutor in writing center, and I am an editor for our school's literary magazine. Will this be enough to land be a decent job at a decent newspaper or magazine?

Answer 1

Daniel is right, Margot, you're gonna need more than education to get a decent job at a newspaper or magazine......you need clips.

Editors are wondering what can you do for me and our publication, so your education is just the entry bar.  Work over the next two years to get an internship, professional experience, published clips and to make connections.

From what you write about being a columnist, tutoring and editing the literary magazine, you are headed in the right direction......but work-wise your best bet is writing that weekly column and a lot more stuff under your by-line.

Columns are opinion pieces which display your brains, research ability and writing style.  But editors will be looking for reporters and correspondents who can go out and tackle real people and situations.  Amass a good collection of published articles which show a range of coverage from spot news to analysis to in-depth interviewing skills.

I think you will need a lot more than published columns, but they will certainly help you get your foot in the door.

Best of luck.  Hope this answer helps you.

Answer 2

You should be ok but whynot try freelancing and get your name out there

Answer 3

sorry to tell you this, but i just graduated from college a few months ago and from personal experience you're gonna need more than that. the best thing that you can do right now is look for an internship. get some professional experience, meet new people, and make connections. if you do that, then i promise you, you will make it so much further and your resume will look a lot better. go to monstertrak and start applying. also, remember that you still have 2 years left. i guarantee you, plans will change over time. but good luck