Journalism and public relations internships are seemingly everywhere, which is ironic because jobs in these industries aren’t quite a bountiful. As the director of student publications at a small, liberal arts university I often get more requests for interns than I have students to fill them.
Journalism graduates who cannot find jobs keep interning instead, according to NYU Livewire, a syndication service out of New York University that offers content geared toward those 30 and younger.
The bothersome item in the column (“The 23-year-old intern”) was part of the justification. It reads: “When you have a boyfriend, it’s much easier to find a boyfriend [and] it’s much easier to find a job when you have a job. You talk the talk. You’re more involved in that industry. You’re running into people in the building. You have the internal contacts with human resources. Your confidence level is up,” according to Parents editor-in-chief Chandra Turner.
Well, yes, sort of. This trite, yet memorable, example minimizes the importance of using internships and other college and post-collegiate opportunities to benefit your professional future.
In today’s competitive job market, the following tips might more clearly serve students and recent or soon-to-be grads. They are in no particular order.
- Clean up your name. Google yourself often. Know what employers will see when they search your name. Research (Check this out on cnn.money, not research but still worthy of reading.) shows it’s one of the first things they’ll do. In a past blog, I focused on syndicated columnist Anita Bruzzese’s tips for cleaning up your online image. To do this, Bruzzese said people should google themselves to see what appears, put alerts on their names, remove any negative items which they can control, and post “good” things and to “good” places to move the bad things they can’t remove down in a search. Read the full post here.
- Keep your friends close and your “friends” closer. You’ve probably played “Six Degrees of Separation” with someone famous (for my generation, Kevin Bacon). This is what a potential employer does as well. They look at where you currently are employed or being educated and begin to determine who they know there. This could include attempting to find your Facebook profile and determining mutual friends. These “friends” become your new references. And, because they’re unofficial, they are not bound by the same laws as formal references. Know what your “friends” will say about you. Edit your “friend list” ASAP.
- Send the right message. You communicate every day with people who have the ability to impact your professional career. You probably call them things like “Professor So-and-so” or “Dr. What’s his name.” You send messages every day of your academic career. These messages are based on your course attendance and performance, how you interact with faculty and peers, and your potential to be a trustworthy coworker and responsible citizen. Think about it. Who will be your initial references? Professors. Who has the contacts to get you jobs? Professors. Who chooses what opportunities you will receive and which ones will pass you by? Professors. Are you sending messages that make them want to attach their names and credibility to you?
- Work nonstop to impress your references. Notice that “suck up” is not part of this tip? Anyone can kiss rear, but not every student is willing to live their four years at university in a way that makes them stand out among their peers. This doesn’t mean not having fun. It means you should treat your education as your full-time job and allot your time accordingly. This means attending every class session and treating every assignment, no matter how mundane, as if it’s the most important one you’ll complete.
- Dress for the job you want. The college uniform may be whatever is cleanest or least wrinkled off of the floor, but that’s not the best way to impress your references. You don’t have to wear a suit and tie to class each day, but you should at least look neat and clean. Don’t wear wrinkled clothing – ever. Avoid items that are stained or torn. Don’t wear anything to class that you can sleep in or wear to a party. Finally, when you attend a conference or any professional event, dress in business attire. NOTE: Flip-flops, crop pants and/or denim are not business attire.
- Use the manners your Momma taught you. “Please” and “thank you” still will get you a long way. Treat your fellow classmates and others with respect. Write a short “thank you” note to anyone who does something special for you. NOTE: An e-mail still is not an acceptable substitute for a handwritten thank you card.
- Learn to write. This isn’t just important to journalism students. Every professional should be able to draft e-mail, cover letters, a resume and other professional documents without errors.
- Sell yourself. This isn’t bragging, it’s simply highlighting your skills. What tasks are you good at that others find challenging? What is your niche? If you aren’t sure, ask your faculty or current employer. Learn to promote your abilities in an interview or other professional setting.
- Take advantage of every opportunity. Professors and employers frequently offer special training, speaker events and job fairs. Dress up and attend them all. Take your resume, cover letter and clips. Meet as many people as you can. Remind them if they’ve met you before. You always should consider networking essential to your professional future.
- Find your passion. If you really care about what you’re learning, it will show. Your passion for the job, that “fire in the belly,” will make your academic life easier and will be reflected in your work. Ability coupled with confidence and a positive attitude will result in opportunities, even if the perfect job is preceded by several internships.
Me says
Good points, I think I will definitely subscribe! I’ll go and read some more! What do you see the future of this being?
Emily Duncan says
Wow! These are awesome tips. Thanks for sharing them!
thekrg says
I’m glad they are helpful. Thanks for the comment, Emily!
Iphone Apps Best says
Ok ive made my decision, im subscribing, this is awesome, keep it comin.