Are Internships Over-Rated?
I did two internships in college, but I don't think you need them. In fact, a guy who I worked on my college newspaper with, Tom Iacuzio (pictured), got a job as an editor and reporter for the Daytona News-Journal before he even graduated.
Tom had no internships whatsoever.
The problem with so many media professionals preaching about the value of internships is what they mean to say is that experience is crucial. Internships are a popular way of achieving this, but by no means the only way.
Other Options
Working for your college newspaper and being a contributing/freelance writer for local publications can build great clips. In addition, make sure you do some stories on the city/community, so you show that you reported on news outside of your college campus. Visiting newsrooms is also nice, because you get to see how things work inside and can talk to staff members about what goes on.
College media has really excelled over the years, and their newsrooms operate just like "real" ones. The invention of the Internet has provided exploding opportunities for our generation and changed the way news is delivered. If you are writing, reporting, communicating and immersing yourself in journalism--you're gaining experience. That's what matters.
Benefits of Internships
If you can get an internship during college--spectacular. Mine were tremendous and gave me valuable newsroom experience. It also gave me strong contacts within the field who were familiar with the quality of my work. Also, if you love the newspaper and area that you did your internship at, it's easier to get a job at the same one when you graduate. Something to consider.
But if you graduate and you didn't have one, you aren't doomed.
Just ask Tom.
Comments
It's amazing what Google will turn up. While I agree with Mr. Potts here that journalism is learned by experience not taught, I don't necessarily think that professional news clips are the only way to go.
Writing prepares you to write, it's that simple. My job was earned by the work I did at the Gargoyle. Before the Gargoyle, I had never written a news article in my life, but I did write. I wrote, stories, screenplays, term papers. Writing ANYTHING helps you learn what is important to story, people, themes, actions, and that translates into the media business. Those same ideas that would make an English paper are interesting are the same topics that make an article interesting.
I think that those who hire, can see your skill and style through any clip you might have in your file to show. In my opinion, to say that a college newspaper clip is not as important as a pro clip is to put down the education that comes with being part of that paper. College journalists are no less journalists than professionals, they just get credit instead of crappy salaries.
Last point, did you have to use a picture of me with chopsticks sticking out of my head?
Hope all is well Kim.