I am a third-year journalism student at a mid-size university in Missouri.
We have a great journalism program, but are often overshadowed by the prestigious J-school at the University of Missouri. I get great experience here, and I feel that I have learned a lot from real-world professors.
ASK JOE A QUESTION
|
To get your question answered on this page, send it to Joe. Please include your full name in your message. If you prefer that your surname not be published, please indicate that. Sign up to receive Ask The Recruiter by e-mail:
* Click here (sent Monday-Friday at 8 a.m.) |
|
However, since my school is not as large as some of the others, we don't get a chance to have journalism job fairs where we are afforded the opportunity to meet and interview with recruiters. How can I get recruiters to notice me at a smaller school?
Should I call, mail or e-mail them? How can I prove to them that I am just as qualified as some of the other journalism students at larger schools?
Overshadowed
The students at more prominent programs can call, mail or e-mail them, too. Their advantage is that they get to meet some editors. That's what you should go for.
You can do that by getting yourself to some journalism conventions or workshops where you'll find some of them. Another approach is to organize a job fair of your own and invite them in. This takes a lot of planning and work, but it is something that students can get done. The students at Bowling Green State University in Ohio decided to do just that last fall and had a good turnout.
They have another one planned this year.
Of course, you'll approach these editors strongly and confidently, without even a hint that you think your program is not everything you need to get a good start.
Coming Monday: This newspaper reporter feels she is better suited for magazines, but wonders how to engineer that transition.
