Q: I just recently graduated college, with a major in English, but I have had a hard time in trying to land a job as a journalist. I wrote for my college newspaper, but my school only offered a journalism course once in a blue moon, and well before I became interested in becoming a journalist. What would suggest I do, since I am in a bind right now?
Dan T.
A: One strategy may be to recalibrate your search to aim at a wider area, smaller papers or papers that are actively trying to fill jobs.
The other strategy -- you should use both -- is to increase your experience so that you're more competitive.
I doubt that your college coursework is the main problem. It is the experience.
As you recalibrate and keep searching, keep writing fresh clips and building the experience on your résumé.
If you decide to go back for a graduate degree in journalism, choose a program that will require you to publish articles and that attracts editors looking for internship candidates.
