by Terri Brunck
More than one million people worked in 1994 in broadcast, print journalism,
advertising and public relations according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Industry representatives say the jobs are out there for students who know
how to prepare themselves and go after what they want.
According to the Internet site of the American Society of Newspaper Editors,
an organization dedicated to the leadership of American journalism, newspapers
of all sizes hire students fresh out of college, but many require previous
experience, such as at a smaller paper. Many schools have job placement
programs, but the ASNE advises students to apply for jobs themselves instead
of just relying on a job placement officer.
A survey conducted by the ASNE found that daily newspapers employ about
54,000 journalists. Commercial radio and television stations employ about
40,000 journalists.
Jim Oakley, the University of Alabama College of Communication job placement
director, said he has had a high job placement percentage. "In fact,
I can't remember when I've been turned down more than once or twice,"
he said.
Oakley said the major newspaper chains in Alabama ÷ Boone, Newhouse
and The New York Times Regional Newspaper Group÷ look for University
of Alabama graduates. In advertising and public relations, firms from across
the country call Oakley for graduating students.
The television market has witnessed three eras, said Oakley. First, graduates
had no problems finding jobs because cable had changed the television industry.
Then, the market experienced five bad years, but now it has moved back
in to better times.
The radio market is large, but not as attractive as television. Oakley
said the pay is just as good or better.
"My job is easier now than it has ever been. Our students are doing
a good job, and other people see them and want to know where they went
to school. Then they come looking for an Alabama graduate to fill a job
opening they have." Oakley said.
Jobs are available in many different departments of each of the fields.
Margaret Rogers of the Birmingham-based Rogers Advertising and Production
Plus said there are many opportunities in advertising. For her companies,
she looks for experience, but said there are many entry-level positions
available in art departments for students who have degrees in art, graphic
design or accounting.
Dan Cates, the news operations director at Alabama's ABC 33/40, keeps a
long list of recruits handy. "When we have a job opening, I have a
list here of recruits I can notify," he said.
Cates said that his station has an aggressive internship program. "We
have interns from the University of Alabama, Samford, UAB,ä he said.
ãWe have also hired students that have interned at our station.
One young man interned here and later we hired him as an assignment editor,
which is not an entry level job."
Bruce Giles, executive editor of The Tuscaloosa News, said the job market
in newspapers is opening up now after having been tight for several years.
Newspapers almost always have vacancies, but are looking for qualified
people to fill positions.
"Copy editors and page designers are the hardest vacancies to fill,ä
he said. ãCopy editors require experience, preferably as reporters
so they can spot reporter mistakes. Page design requires a certain artistic
flair. Most journalist don't want these jobs, they want to write.ä
Giles stressed the importance of internships. "The students that do
two or three internships are the ones that are trying to decide which job
they are going to take, not if they are even going to find a job."
Most newspapers offer paid internships. Giles pointed out that doing an
internship may be the difference in a $5,000 to $10,000 starting salary
difference.
Deborah Evans, public editor of the Macon (Ga.) Telegraph, agreed with
Giles, "Interns are a must. If you are up against someone who has
done two or three interns and you haven't done any, an employer's not going
to consider you," she said.
Lesley Brown, a recent University of Alabama graduate, is a reporter for
the Columbus (Ga.) Ledger-Enquirer. She found her job in the Editor and
Publisher magazine. "When I was looking for a job, I applied for everything
that was qualified for. Before I got the job in Columbus, I definitely
got my fair share of rejection letters. But I think everything turned out
well," Brown said.
To start out, Giles suggested finding a good editor. "It doesn't matter
how big the paper is. Find a good editor that will work with you and help
make you better," he said.
Evans said to learn job interviewing skills. Applicants need to make sure
they know what will be expected of them in an interview. They also need
to have clips and their resume with no typos, Evans said. "I recruit
across the country, and I'm amazed at how many applicants do not know what
to do. Always make sure you are prepared."