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I was lucky enough to find an internship opportunity during my time in college, so I used that as leverage to get my very first job in the industry. That was a while ago, though, and the job landscape is a lot different these days. A lot of people are out of a job so things are quite competitive. This person is going to need to apply like crazy or hope that they can somehow get a referral to get some traction.
Every job I got was a result of my clips/content I produced, first as a J-school major at the college newspaper, magazine and radio station. I also went after multiple internships at media outlets so I could learn the ropes and build a network. In 2024, creating your own website to display your work is also a cheap and easy way to get your published content and your bio out to prospective employers. Bottom line — it’s about how much hustle you have, especially in these times.
I worked on the campus newspaper and interned at the local daily newspaper, so the editors were familiar with me when I graduated. I was given a rural bureau manager's position, in charge of three correspondents. That led to a newsroom position with a small daily that quickly led to an editorial position and more exposure to larger markets. Things have changed since then. I would still advise starting out with a local weekly or daily newspaper, build your skills and reputation, and then move onward and upward from there. If you are in broadcast journalism (something we always called an "oxymoron") the same is true. Start small and move up. The small papers and TV stations realize, accept and even expect to be training grounds. That's why they can get away with paying a reporter with a college degree less than the local department store pays their cashiers with a GED.
It's worth while to create an E-Portfolio with all of her writing/journalism pieces. Even if she didn't have an internship, it still looks good if a portfolio shows that she gained a lot of experience producing content and meeting deadlines with various organizations. I didn't have any internships in college, but my experience with campus organizations still landed me a news job fresh out of college.
Lots of good resources here if you search resume, networking, etc. https://nbcuacademy.com/
Internships and fellowships are great to get a foot in the door. Ask her to check with her college's career advisor for help. Maybe consider an assistant job at her college too? Does she have a beat? Consider business journalism, there are a lot more hiring in that field than in general assignment. Can she specialize? Is she good with data? Every skill helps. Can she volunteer for a local paper or blog? Getting clips and samples will boost her profile. Can she freelance? Most major publications have a pitching process and it's a great way to get her a byline.
I hope that helps! Journo is hard, but it is very rewarding when you see your work out there. Good luck!
Jennifer Dale is the head of recruiting for Gray TV. They offer paid internships & help place new grads into stations. Her email is Jennifer.Dale@gray.tv