Welcome to J-School! Maybe this is your first year of college and you've known you wanted to be a journalist since elementary school. Maybe you just changed your major to journalism. Maybe you've been with the program for a bit but are still having some difficulties navigating the waters and it's kind of getting to you. No matter the reason, I've come up with a short list of tips that could help you out.
I myself am a journalism major, and, let me tell you, I've come to realize some really key things when it comes to conquering a day in the life of a J-School student (you live and you learn). So here are some pointers that I like to keep in mind.
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1. Go into an interview prepared with questions.
Which means you should do your homework... properly. Research your subject (and if there's an organization he or she is affiliated with). This lets you create relevant questions. Don't assume you know exactly where the interview will take you, because then you won't get the most out of it.
2. But don't be afraid to go a little off-script and ask follow up questions.
Sometimes follow-up questions are necessary in order for you to get the best pieces of information. If you aren't clear on something, ask. If you feel that an answer could be further developed, ask your subject to elaborate. You'll have ample information when it comes time to sit down and start typing.
3. Always be friendly.
Sure, you're calling the shots with the questions, but that doesn't mean you should be rude. Besides, people are more likely to want to keep talking to you if you're nice and seem amicable.
4. But also be human.
This is one way you can make yourself more amicable when speaking to someone you don't know. Lots of journalism students wonder where the line should be drawn so you don't get too close to your subject, but sometimes showing that you understand their situation or even offering an anecdote of your own can really make your interviewee more comfortable with you.
5. If you get laughed at, stand your ground.
It could happen: you could be interviewing your fellow students only to be snickered at because for whatever reason they think it's funny that you're trying to interview them. I know that doesn't really help your confidence at all. Look, it takes a lot to approach random people you've never spoken to before (whether or not you're naturally shy!) and whether you're a journalism student or not, people shouldn't be laughing at anyone in a situation like this. Stay brave and stay serious; you're there to do your work and that's what matters. I like to think that standing your ground instead of shriveling away is like a middle finger to the people laughing.
6. Download a good voice recorder app.
This is great for recording excellent notes during speeches and interviews. Make sure you test it out before you use it for business, so that way you know you'll have a quality recording.
7. Always have a separate book and writing utensil for covering events and interviews.
This is more organized than just grabbing a random piece of paper from the bottom of your bag. Even if you record the events and interviews, technology can fail and you'll need a backup plan! This will be your special notebook and your special pen.
6. Don't rush your assignments.
Sometimes, everything will just flow out of you, and other times it won't. If you found that the words had trouble coming to you and you genuinely think your assignment is crap and needs work, fix it. And don't wait for a professor to tell you to do that! You won't know what actually needs improvement if you aren't putting your best foot forward.
8. Find the style that works best for you.
I personally love writing Wall Street Journal-style articles because it lets me open up with one person's story before I get into the nit and grit of the actual news. This can be a personal preference based on what you're good at doing. Of course, this doesn't mean that you shouldn't practice or be aware of other reporting styles, but If you personally feel the need to get straight to the breaking news in a fast-paced lede, then maybe that's your style. Own it!
9. Practice taking photos... without your phone.
Yep, that means borrowing professional equipment from the Journalism department. While hand-held technology allows you to report on the fly from anywhere, gaining exposure to the equipment that you might use during an internship or at a future job is really important. When it comes time to start using it during class or out in the field, you'll already know what you're doing!
10. Make time to get to know the professors.
They offer valuable insight into the industry and can sometimes help you take your next steps. When you have no trouble approaching your professors, you might be more likely to understand the material and do really well in the class.
11. Read everyday.
Read news articles; read articles from the platform you hope to someday work at; read the work your peers produce. You'll become accustomed to seeing certain writing styles, and these serve as excellent examples for when you need to write in a similar way for class.
12. Surround yourself with people who can have fun with you.
Your classes are filled with so many people who share a passion for writing or journalism, just like you do. If you take the time to settle down and make some friends, you'll find that you have people you can go to if you want some proofreading on your work, or people you can get advice from, and generally just people you can count on to be the icing on the cake.
