10 Things I wish they'd told me in J-School
Thursday, May 08, 2008
1. Despite all the various multimedia skills I've learned over the years, the only one I'll really use is Flash.
2. Good journalism jobs are hard to find...and worth fighting for.
3. Most of my future co-workers will not be as effervescent and optimistic as my classmates.
4. Hold on to those business cards.
5. Always keep a clear separation between work and personal life.
6. Two weeks to complete a story is not really a deadline.
7. Fast food is not a lifestyle; pack a lunch.
8. I will not work 24 hours a day like I do in J-School. I will, however, do the same amount of work in an 8-hour day.
9. There is this thing called a cubicle...
10. There's always public relations.
Also on 10,000 Words:
• Why J-Schools matter
• Just what are they teaching future journalists?
• 12 Things to tell your tech-impaired editor
• Journalists: Change starts with you
• J-Schools in pictures
2. Good journalism jobs are hard to find...and worth fighting for.
3. Most of my future co-workers will not be as effervescent and optimistic as my classmates.
4. Hold on to those business cards.
5. Always keep a clear separation between work and personal life.
6. Two weeks to complete a story is not really a deadline.
7. Fast food is not a lifestyle; pack a lunch.
8. I will not work 24 hours a day like I do in J-School. I will, however, do the same amount of work in an 8-hour day.
9. There is this thing called a cubicle...
10. There's always public relations.
Also on 10,000 Words:
• Why J-Schools matter
• Just what are they teaching future journalists?
• 12 Things to tell your tech-impaired editor
• Journalists: Change starts with you
• J-Schools in pictures
3 Comments
Holly Heyser Says:
Re No. 3: Refuse to succumb. And avoid becoming an editor - personally, that was very bad for my disposition.
Re No. 5: Good luck! Try marrying outside the business.
Re No. 6: Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha....
Re No. 8: Don't worry, Anonymous; mastering this is what allows you to try to develop the personal life mentioned in No. 5 and get over the deadline shock of No. 6.
Re No. 10: As I watch all the veteran journalists (i.e., highly paid, expensive to the company) getting forced out of newspapers right now, I'm learning exactly how much a journalist's skills are valued. The ability to research quickly and write accurately and clearly is a tremendous skill valued (read: paid for) highly by everyone but newspapers. Focus on doing your job well and the rest will fall into place.
Re No. 5: Good luck! Try marrying outside the business.
Re No. 6: Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha....
Re No. 8: Don't worry, Anonymous; mastering this is what allows you to try to develop the personal life mentioned in No. 5 and get over the deadline shock of No. 6.
Re No. 10: As I watch all the veteran journalists (i.e., highly paid, expensive to the company) getting forced out of newspapers right now, I'm learning exactly how much a journalist's skills are valued. The ability to research quickly and write accurately and clearly is a tremendous skill valued (read: paid for) highly by everyone but newspapers. Focus on doing your job well and the rest will fall into place.
Says:
As a j-school graduate who went into PR and am now in my mid-40's, I can tell you that the combination of news writing with the thrill of the story placement--combined with getting a message out that really can help eradicate a birth defect or other good cause--is actually a good place to be. Plus, I was able to go independent/create a small firm that offers great flexibility for down the road when you have a family.
May 11, 2008 8:00 PM