That Took Long Enough!

Before I go into today's rant/malapropisms/look at me show off my awesome vocabulary, I'd like to personally thank Mr. Charles Thomson once again for his insightful commentary on one of my previous blog posts. I appreciate your ("your" being all of you, lovely wonderful readers) continued patronage of this blog, and encourage more commentary like the kind Mr. Thomson has provided.

(If you'd like to find Mr. Thomson on Twitter, his handle is @CEThomson).

Thankfully, at long last, Associated Content has published my newest articles for your reading consumption. I encourage all of you to check it out, as I consider it some of my best writing work. The strength of those three writings alone damn near netted me a job two weeks out of school, but I flubbed the interview. Anyway, my AC page can be found in the links on the sidebar. You can also check out my Twitter page and my resume, just in case you want to hire me for something *cough cough.*

Despite that setback, I think I might have a chance with the latest advertisement I have answered. The ad reads, in part:

"On the features side, we're looking for a talented writer with lots of creative story ideas and a healthy knowledge of pop culture.

 

As the paper's features reporter, you’ll be expected to plan and produce stories for our Weekend section as well as produce stories and center pieces for the daily sections. You’ll write features, news and reviews covering everything from national trends to high-profile Atlanta art exhibits to local pageants. Having an interest in books, theater, music, movies, food and home is a must.

 

Some experience working at a daily or weekly newspaper is preferred."

Preferred, but not required! Also, I did spent a year working for the college newspaper, albeit in a non-traditional newsroom. I do understand how to get things in on time and I understand the concept of a news budget, etc. So, here's to hoping. 

I also sent my resume to another business: The Wings, Pizza 'N' Things by my house. I think that just about runs the gamut of graduate opportunities in this economy. 

-Justin

What Does a Guy Gotta Do to Get an Engine Around Here?

Another Monday has come and gone, another Monday of tedium, sending out resumes to places I hope will hire me and places I pray that don't. I have yet to receive but one interview from a newspaper, and I blew it by admitting I didn't like to drive much then.


I understand the job market is horrendous right now, but it would be nice to get out there and start using the skills I learned in school instead of waking up every day at 1:00 PM and going to bed at 2:00 AM without having done anything productive. It makes me angry.

Anger, however, can be good. I've recently been made aware of the analogy that anger and rage are like gasoline, if you store them away in jerry cans in your emotional basement nothing bad will come of them, but if you fill an engine with said gasoline, you can do some wonderful things. I'd like to get that engine. Goodness knows I have enough jerry cans in my basement.

I guess some of my anger should be directed at Associated Content for still not publishing my three latest pieces. It's almost been a week, and people (and potential employers) are not able to see my latest, greatest work. I regularly send the three pieces I sent AC to potential employers as "best work samples," and the newspaper that I interviewed with back in May informed me that except for my remarkable writing, they would not have extended that opportunity to me.

For those of you who have yet to read my stuff on AC, the link is at http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/245135/justin_ove.html . I would appreciate any feedback, and even reading my articles makes me a tiny sum of money.

Also, I would appreciate the opinions of any industry professionals on my resume (link can be found in the sidebar) and what I can do to improve it and make myself more appealing to employers.

Thank you for your time,

-Justin

The Catch-22 of "Experience Required"

One of the biggest challenges facing me (and presumably others in my situation) on trying to enter the print journalism field is the dreaded "3-5 years of experience required." Almost every job I apply for stipulates that I must have already gotten my feet wet somewhere else, but I plug away, hoping that someone will be wowed by my raw talent and take a chance on me anyway. It almost seems as if getting an entry-level job as an astronaut would be easier than getting an entry-level job at a paper: this makes sense, though, from a business perspective; an organization that is roughing it financially would be hard pressed to invest time and money into training a kid fresh out of college when they could hire an old pro and reduce costs. Unfortunately, sound business practices leave people like me out in the cold, living under a bridge and performing sexual favors for food money (not really).
   
I should preface my gripe by admitting that I took no internships while in school, so I really have nobody to blame here but myself. I tried to get an internship at a television conference out in Las Vegas, but that fell through. As television is my passion and my eventual goal is to host The Tonight Show (for longer than seven months), I felt that looking for a newspaper internship would not be helpful for my eventual career goal.
   
The way I see it, in lieu of actual newsroom experience, the actual news stories I had to write in my upper-level journalism classes should count for something. I had a deadline, I had to submit a pitch, a rough draft, and make the necessary changes. I had good stories and bad stories, but always got them in on time. I interviewed small business owners, community organizers, professors, and athletic coaches. I wonder if attaching the syllabus from some of my college classes with my resume would show prospective employers how much "experience" I really have?
  
For those of you who are reading this blog and want to pursue journalism as a career once you graduate, I cannot stress enough the importance of internships. If a prospective employer sees you have been around the block at least once, you instantly gain an advantage over applicants such as myself, who have great academic credentials but nary a lick of "real world" experience. Consult the career services department at your school and see if they can help you get placed in an internship that will give you experience with a real newsroom environment (along with pay, if you get lucky). You will not, in all likelihood, be offered a job right after you get your diploma, but having an internship or two on your resume certainly makes you a more promising candidate.

-Justin

Did getting a late start in marketing myself cost me?

I thought I'd try something different.

PS: Thank you Pat for pointing out My capitalization error in my title. I'll see if I can fix it.

Remember when a BA with Honors got you somewhere? I don't.

Hello all and welcome to the newest baby born to the blogosphere. Cigars for everyone.

I don't want to come off as a narcissistic shill, but I'm hoping this blog will be of some substance. Personally, I've discovered that since I graduated in May I have stopped writing for the most part, apart from online forum posts. I haven't put together a good five paragraph anything in a few months, and I feel I should stay in practice. After all, what good is a Journalism degree if you don't write from time to time?


Which brings us to the crux of this blog: Me complaining about not being able to find a job in this economy whilst at the same time showcasing my writing prowess (or lack thereof), in hopes that my Fairy Godmother stumbles across this little corner of Heaven and makes me an offer I can't refuse. I figure it does me no good to sit idly by and not market myself as much as possible in this digital age, so here I am. And so are you too. Funny how that works out.

Maybe I should get a twitter, too...