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Upon graduation, you might want to consider what kind of reporter you are, in order to best select the objectives that are right for you.

In Quill magazine, Bruce L. Plopper, journalism professor at the University of Arkansas, wrote about the human landscape of today's newsrooms.  He said that young journalists entering the field will now see two broad divisions of labor: the features writers and the hard news reporters. 

In his article, "Alice in Journalism" within the December 2006 issue, he profiled each type.

Using data from a SPJ data collection, these were his findings:

• Features writers are much less idealistic than hard news reporters. 
• Features writers aren't all that excited about serving as the people's "watchdog" over government, leaving that job for the hard news personnel.
• Hard news reporters gravitate much more toward jobs that investigate corruption in the business community or assignments that expose failing school districts. They think covering these types of news stories is much more important than reporting on existing social problems and injustices.

It's good to know how to cover both features and hard news, but most reporters lean toward one more than the other.  A lot of entry-level reporters start out as GA (General Assignment) reporters and act as a utility player, valued for their versatility and willingness and ability to cover a broad range of stories.  Beat writers typically don't get hired full-time without a few years under their belt doing GA but that's not to say that it never happens.

If you know what you gravitate more toward, I say go for it.  Hard news reporters usually start out covering cops, courts and breaking news, while features writers usually start out covering people, local issues and community news. Ultimately, it's your choice.

Other Findings in the Article

Continuing with this study, Plopper went on to other demographic analysis of the differences between genders and age. For instance, how older professionals rate their grammar skills higher and ability to accept rejection better than younger professionals. He wrote that young reporters are more willing to work overtime than older professionals (after 6-10 years, according to Plopper).

The article also enclosed that women reporters have significantly better people skills than men reporters but are much more prone to headaches. Females also need more variety in their work than men, according to the study.

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Yes.

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.

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Location, of course!

Here's a picture of where I'm moving to this week--Tucson, Arizona:

As I promised in my former post, I would go into my experience with this. This post will be slightly more personal and less practical than my posts usually are. However, I hope there might be some value in it for you.

First off, domestic travel has always been close to my heart. I’ve liked my trips internationally but have always felt that there is so much to see and do on my home turf. So much variety in terms of culture and atmosphere in America.

My parents always pushed travel as a value, so we would grow up seeing how different people lived and exposing us to diversity. So I spent my pre-college life taking frequent vacations all over the country. We also lived in New Jersey, Colorado and Florida, so I had a taste of each region. But beyond this, it also helped me understand what I wanted in an area, and what I didn’t.

In selecting colleges, I flew all over the United States, scouting my heart out. Much like my job search actually. I wanted a small school, where personal attention thrived and my professors actually recognized the byline on my articles. In the final stretch, I had it narrowed down between Emerson, Wingate and Flagler--all intimately-sized colleges with strong academic programs. Ultimately, I chose Flagler, and I think the campus visit is what clinched my decision. It was my home for five and half years.

My point is that when I was 18, I cared more about the college (or newsroom) than I did about the location. It hadn’t struck me that a city could have an impact on the college itself. By the time I graduated from college as a 23-year-old, I understood this.

So although I’m small college person, I’m by no means a small town person. I had lived in Florida for over a decade, and needed a change. To put it tactfully, I’m not--and never will be--compatible with the South., for so many reasons.

So although I received plenty of job queries and more than a few job offers from Florida newspapers, I didn’t pursue a position with them.

Let me say also that the job search becomes enormously more difficult when you’re pursuing an out-of-state position. Not only do most employers automatically trash out-of-state applications, but newspapers want you to be well-versed in the area. This is partially because that’s the community you’ll be reporting on, but it’s also because of traditional-thinking xenophobia.

If you choose this out-of-state route, my advice would be to stress your ability to embrace an area and learn it quickly. Maybe even throw in that having you would be beneficial, because you’d be reporting with fresh, objective eyes. Put emphasis on your willingness to relocate, and that it‘s THEIR newspaper that brought you there.

Hold Onto Your Convictions

Whether location is important to you or not, whether you want to stay in state or leave, whether you like big cities or small towns--remember, it’s YOUR job search. Your goals and flexibility level may change along the way, which is fine. But don’t get conned into making decisions that aren’t your own. How you customize your criteria is completely up to you.

Arizona, here I come!

Another shot of Tucson

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Here's stage two of the inaugural post.

ASSEMBLING A PORTFOLIO

After you've clearly defined your goals and networked a bit, it's time to assemble a portfolio that reflects those objectives (if you haven't done so already).  A standard portfolio consists of a cover letter, resume, references and clips--in that order. 

Supplies

• Black binders (I recommend the 1-inch Premium by Wilson Jones)
• Clear sheets (LOTS)
• Resume paper (Staples or Office Maxx has a wide selection)
• Multiple black print cartridges (you're going to be photocopying A LOT) or lots of change if you're using a copier at a library or an office store
• Computer paper (LOTS)

Cover Letter

Keep it to one page.  Use tight, clear sentences.  Since it's for a writing position, the cover letter is an indirect way to showcase your writing ability, so write well.

The format for a cover letter typically goes:

• First paragraph--State what position you're applying for and make a connection with the newspaper by showing you know their company.
• Second paragraph--Your journalism experience
• Third paragraph--Why you're a good candidate/skills
• Fourth paragraph--Close it out and encourage a follow-up. 

Resume

You can put the Objective and Summary first, if you'd like.  However, I've heard that it's not good, because you need to get Journalism Experience up there as soon as possible.  On mine, I cut those two categories altogether. 

Put Education and Awards BELOW Journalism Experience.  Remember that you're a professional now (not a student), and you want your experience emphasized instead of your education. 

Finally, put Computer Skills and Other Work Experience at the bottom, and the words "References Attached" (center-aligned) as the last line.

References

Make sure your three to five references are either college professors or editors/reporters and list their titles.  In addition to contact info, you might want to throw in Relationship and Years Known.  Also, don't enclose mailing addresses--they aren't necessary, and they take up unneeded space.

Clips

Selecting these will most likely be the hardest part of the portfolio.  You might want to customize them for each opening (i.e.-put in sports clips for a sports reporter position), so the clips are relevant to the beat.  Here's five factors to take into consideration when deciding if a clip is good to enclose:

• Quality-make sure it's good writing and reporting
• Recency-you probably don't want to put in something you did a long time ago
• Location-where the article appeared in the paper
• Content-enclose articles in which the content is compelling, not too fluffy
• Variety-make sure you enclose a wide range of clips to show your versatility

Sometimes an opening will request a certain number (or number range) to enclose.  If they just want to see your best work, it's upto you how many you enclose.  That can be anywhere from 5-12 usually.  Regardless of how many writing samples you put in, make sure your absolute best stuff is up front, as editors may not even read past the 5th one. 

Costs

Alright, I don't mean to intimidate you, but I want to be honest with you--the price of assembling a portfolio can be hefty.  Between the supplies, shipping and handling, you're looking at $30-$40 minimum per port.  Don't be surprised if you've spent a couple hundred dollars in your first month. 

In addition, it takes a lot longer than you would imagine to assemble each portfolio.  I would suggest always having at least four or five spare ones around, with writing samples, resume and references already in them.  That way, when you apply to another newspaper, all you have to do is customize and write your cover letter.

Also, a tip I received from the post office: If you're sending in-state, ship First Class.  If you're sending out-of-state, ship Priority Mail.

Following Up

Contact the editor or whoever you sent your port to (it might be the HR director) within one week of delivery.  Not one week from shipping out.  Give the person a bit of time to review.  When you follow up (either by phone or E-mail--I suggest doing both), make sure you verify that he or she received your package.  Don't ask for an interview, ask if they got it.

Final Words

Assembling a portfolio is by far the hardest, most time-consumptive and expensive part of the whole ordeal.  If you can master this stage, the job search becomes loads less burdensome.  Stay positive and plug through.  You can do it.

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Alright, say you go and do some recon before starting your actual job search.  A big part of this would be a newsroom visit.  Remember when you were scouting colleges in high school?  Just as the campus visit makes or breaks your decision, touring newsrooms is the same.                

Here are some tips to immediately indicate a newsroom's work culture:

Use Your Reporter's Instinct

Naturally, a reporter tends to have a better-than-average intuition and possess a keen sense of his or her surroundings.  You can also tell when people are feeding you bullshit.  Beyond everything else, you must rely on your ability to sense an organization's culture.  If it feels right, it probably is.  If it feels wrong, it probably is.

Be insightful.

Pay Attention to Decibels

Noise level is paramount.  A loud newsroom--where people are collaborating, cooperating and communicating--is the mark of a great cultured newsroom.  It shows people who are comfortable enough to be very open and laid back, are enthusiastic about coming to work and love doing what they do.  A unusually quiet newsroom is definitely a red flag.

Beware of Cryogenic Newsrooms

These are newsrooms that are very cold, very sterile and very high-pressure.  Point blank, stay away from them--far, far away.

Judge Receptiveness Level

This can range anywhere from how you're greeted to the general attitudes and sentiments toward you. Did they seem happy to see you? Or were they stuffy and formal? Did they treat you like a serious journalist or a college kid who wasn't worth their attention? Did they act like their time was too important to talk to you? Or were they very attentive?

Work the Room to Get Feedback

Talk to as many people as you can about what's important to you.  Ask pertinent questions and listen critically to their responses.  Perhaps someone will say something that really strikes a chord with you, or really turns you off.  Most of the time, you only get one newsroom visit before making the choice to pursue it or not, so make sure to have every element of your communication count.  Make sure you're "on" and ready to rock.

Above All...

Have fun.  It's not a job interview.  Relax, be yourself and see how they respond.  Your first newsroom job will be your home for at least the first one to three years, so make sure it's as awesome as you are.

P.S.-A good editor will take you out to lunch and pay for it during a newsroom visit.

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In terms of your first reporting job, there are pros and cons on both sides of these coins.  If upward mobility is important to you, consider taking a job with a newspaper that is owned by a media giant. 

For instance, USA Today is owned by Gannett, so even if you start at a small Gannett paper, you have the opportunity for advancement.  Also, if it's a full-time position, salary and benefits are typically better when you're under a major publisher.  They tend to be professional and organized newsrooms with powerful journalism stories.  It's also known to look better down the line, because future employers--even if they might not know the newspaper (if it's small)--they know the company.  So they'll raise their eyebrows and go, "Oh, it's a New York Times Co. newspaper" or "Wow, he/she was at Cox."

Vouching for the independent side, these newspapers are usually more invested into their workers--ya know, less corporate and better work culture.  There could also be more opportunity for experience since they aren't known to have gigantic staffs.  You probably would have more freedom, in terms of coverage, and practice more innovative approaches.  Editors here tend to be more flexible and heavily involved with the personal growth of their reporters.  It might be really beneficial to begin your career at a learning-oriented, entry-level-friendly newspaper, like so many independently-owned newspapers are.  Then if you decide to make a jump to a company-owned paper, you'll be more prepared.

Understand that these are all basic generalizations.  They won't always run true, and every newspaper has its own way of running a newsroom.  These are all just things to consider.

If you're interested, the following are some of the largest newspaper publishers in the nation:

1. Gannett Co. (85 dailies)
2. New York Times Co. (18 newspapers, including the New York Times)
3. E.W. Scripps (23 newspapers, 1 major newswire)
4. Cox Newspapers (16 newspapers)
5. Lee Enterprises Inc.(56 dailies in 23 states)
6. Journal Register Co. (22 dailies)
7. McClatchy Co. (31 dailies, 47 non-dailies)
8. Tribune Co. (11 dailies, including the Los Angeles Times)
9. Media General Inc. (25 dailies)
10. Advance Publications (36 newspapers)
11. Hearst Corporation (12 dailies, including the San Francisco Chronicle and Houston Chronicle)
12. Freedom Communication (28 dailies, 37 weeklies)
13. MediaNews Group Inc. (57 dailies in 12 states)
14. Morris Communications (27 dailies)
15. Horizon Publications Inc. (31 newspapers)
16. Pulitzer, Inc. (14 dailies)
17. Odgen Newspapers Inc. (40 dailies, 100 weeklies)

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Ok, say you've just graduated and haven't captured that first reporting job, but you're eager to cover a story.  You'd like to build some clips, get involved in a new newspaper, do some freelance work, get some post-college experience or all of the above.  But you need time to job search as well.  A great way to combine these is to hit up Facebook or MySpace, in order to build a source list of people in your chosen publication's area and dig up stories.  Then you can pitch your ideas to an editor.

Benefits

A tremendous benefit of social networking websites is that they enable long-distance reporting--they let you be there without "being there."  You can meet people online, interview them over the phone, write your story and then E-mail it to an editor.  Most social networking sites have tons of pictures to accompany your article, so you can just take your pick of the ones most fitting to your content and attach them in your E-mail.  Be sure to ask permission to use them and attribute the photos in the newspaper.

Social networking websites are especially useful for generating story ideas in an area that's unfamiliar to you, but they are strong tools even if you are knowledgeable about the region.  In addition to landing stories and impressing editors, the sources you contact through these sites will be appreciative that you sought them out.  It will inevitably lead to more stories.

Clearly, this technique is also effective in your first actual job, but I don't want to get ahead of myself in the blog.  The same concept applies, though--meet people online, get stories and then schedule interviews in person.  Social networking websites make reaching a newspaper and getting published in it possible--all from the comfort of your own home!

Best Ones to Use

Some of the most popular general social networking sites (according to user count) are Classmates.com, MySpace.com, Friendster.com, Hi5.com, Facebook.com and Xanga.com.  For sports coverage, Sportsvite.com is great.  Flickr.com is heavily geared toward photo sharing, so it's a tremendous source for photos.  LiveJournal.com is incredible for narratives or features, because the information is so personal and it allows you to see the personality of the source so strongly.  And Twitter.com is a bit different from the standard social networking site, and honestly, I don't think it's very useful for reporting.  But its popularity is exploding, and a major benefit of the site is that it thrives off of frequent updates.

Progressive Method

Let me clarify something.  Nothing beats at-the-scene or newsroom reporting.  It's irreplaceable, especially in breaking news such as crime.  For this reason, traditional-thinking editors may be averse to distance reporting by way of social networking websites, or flat out turn it down altogether.  But smart editors understand that journalism has evolved to accomodate different methods of reporting, and they will embrace new avenues. 

Social networking websites are the wave of the future, and incorporating them into the reporting process (even a little) benefits the field.  The ability to do an article for a newspaper in Minnesota, while you're sitting in California is a testament to the information age and a progressive technological society. 

I'm beginning to preach.  That's not my point. 

My point is that you can definitely get your foot in the door by using social networking websites to land stories as a recent journalism grad.  Through them, you have the potential to create clips, get involved with a new newspaper, distance report, impress editors, get some post-college experience, and build a local source list--all while you're job hunting!  

It's a helluva sweet deal.

P.S.-Democratic candidate John Edwards uses social networking websites to campaign.  Here's his Facebook picture:

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