Top Ten List of Tips for Journalism Students

Comment

Comment by Maurreen Skowran on February 3, 2008 at 5:18am

Be curious.

One of the best aspects of being a journalist is that we get paid to learn stuff every day. But sometimes we don't take advantage of what's right next to us.

It's easier to report telling details and piece patterns and puzzles together if you pay attention to the world around you. Observe, look, listen, ask, introduce yourself, get out of your comfort zone.

Last semester, I was in a graduate class. We didn't have desks; we all sat around a table. One day, the table had about a dozen small pin-on buttons, the type with writing on them, not the type that fastens shirts.

I was surprised that I was the only person in the class that looked at the buttons. Apparently no one else was curious about something different.

If you're not curious about your immediate surroundings, are you going to be curious enough to get the full story?

Comment by Patrick Thornton on February 2, 2008 at 6:24pm

I like Dave's advice.

Basically, don't sit around complaining about not having the skills. Go out there and grab them! Control your own destiny. Most j-schools will not give you all the skills you need to succeed, but you can get them. I created a summer reading list for students who want to learn new media skills: http://patthorntonfiles.com/blog/?p=9

I have little patience for students who complain they don't have the skills for modern journalism, because there is no better or easier time to learn new skills than in college. Do it today!

Comment by Digidave on February 2, 2008 at 5:04pm

My advice: Do something: It's easier to learn by doing than by thinking about it all.

Comment by Angela Natividad on February 2, 2008 at 4:36pm

Always ask questions.