Q. I enjoy your column. It gives me reason to be optimistic in this seemingly grim profession I've gotten myself into.
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I graduated in May and have held five internships altogether. With my latest internship drawing to a close in early December, my worst fear is creeping to the surface: What happens if I can't find a job?
I have to admit that I'm being a bit picky about where I'll next work. As a sportswriter, I often see openings that ask applicants to not only write, but also edit and design. I simply want to write, nothing else. And with so few sports-writing intensive positions available, I guess I'm not quite sure of the next step. I've applied to a handful of newspapers since graduation, but have been dealt only rejection letters.
So what's next? Do I:
A. Apply to smaller papers and larger ones alike?
B. Apply for positions outside the sports-writing realm? (I have some, but only minimal business and local news writing experience)
C. Become less picky and apply for sports-writing positions that also ask applicants to design and/or copy edit?
With five internships, management experience from my student newspaper and a bevy of reliable references at my disposal, I guess I wasn't prepared for the bumpy road that is "Finding a Journalism Job."
Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Chris
A. The answer is C.
Your experience should get you into a job, but it is not enough to let you write your own ticket. You're going to have to be flexible.
I would flex within sports, where you so clearly want to work, rather than move out of sports where your experience and passion will be less compelling.
Once you get over the idea that you will only write, you should also be able to sleep a little better knowing that you have the grounding to get started and work your way up.
Grimm on internships:
"Breaking In: The JobsPage.com Guide to Newspaper Internships."
Coming Tuesday: This reporter has a history of writing commentary and would like to do more but worries that Web searches will turn up damaging letters.
