Journalism students are lucky. They get to spend pretty much all day, every day learning about and practicing their craft. But, how do journalists continue honing their skills once they already earned their degrees?
This question was the topic of a recent #wjchat, a weekly chat for web journalists. The 1.5 hour-long chat is a 7 p.m. CST Wednesdays.
Here are my three takeaways from #wjchat on how journalists can hone their skills outside the classroom:
1. Network
Almost every reporter in the chat mentioned talking to strangers and really listening to what they had to say as ways to become a better, more well-rounded journalist.
A5. Go to conferences. Network with other professional journalists. Be the squeaky wheel at newspapers. Get your name out there. #wjchat
— Shain E. Thomas (@ShainEThomas) August 6, 2015
A6. Strike up a conversation with those who aren’t “like you” & learn. Yes, be that annoying person. #wjchat
— Deanna Cheng (@writerly_dee) August 6, 2015
2. Practice
Again, almost every reporter in the chat agreed that the best way to be a better journalists was to “do journalism.”
A1. Doing journalism rather than just reading about it is the best solution for students. #wjchat
— Shain E. Thomas (@ShainEThomas) August 6, 2015
A4. The more you practice it, the better you get at it. Continue doing journalism. #wjchat — Deanna Cheng (@writerly_dee) August 6, 2015
3. Don’t be afraid to try new things
At one point in the chat, reporters were asked what they wish they knew more about. Coding was a common answer, but journalists also frequently admitted that they could learn to code if they put their minds to it.
@wjchat Reporters are inherently afraid of screwing up. Don’t fear failure when it comes to social media. Experiment, fail, learn #wjchat
— Gene Park (@GenePark) August 6, 2015
I just love learning! Check out Meghan McAfee’s Storify of #wjchat to see more about what we discussed.
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