10 Things I wish they'd told me in J-School
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.
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.
2 Comments:
I'm in a J-school now, and #8 really freaks me out...
commented by 
Anonymous, 8:00 PM
Anonymous, 8:00 PM
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.
