Lessons from the job hunt: Early-career journalists share what works
Networking, resilience and student media experience helped shape their careers
As the semester winds down and many students start gearing up for their job or internship search, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the next steps.
In today’s issue, I’m sharing a recap of a panel The Nutgraf hosted back in September.
Early-career journalists shared their stories about navigating the world beyond college journalism — from what worked during job hunts to advice on how student journalists can stand out in an application and the best sites to find jobs.
The three early-career journalists interviewed were:
Sara Martin graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver this past May and is currently pursuing a master’s in journalism at the University of California Berkeley.
She revived The Metropolitan during her sophomore year after COVID-19 halted its operations, serving as editor-in-chief for three years.
Jaden Edison is a K-12 reporter at The Texas Tribune, having previously covered justice at the Connecticut Mirror.
He graduated from Texas State University in 2021, where he was EIC of The University Star, and later went on to Columbia’s J-School.
Caryl Anne Francia is an editorial intern at Pensions & Investments after graduating from Baruch College in May 2023.
Her journalism journey began in high school as EIC of Francis Lewis News in Queens, New York, and she later became a reporter and editor for The Ticker at Baruch.
Their responses were paraphrased for conciseness.
How did you approach your first job hunt?
Martin: Her job hunt was a bit unconventional — she worked with the Colorado Avalanche, an NHL team, while still writing for her college paper. That experience helped her realize that sports journalism wasn’t the right fit and led her to discover her passion for covering campus issues, ultimately shaping her professional goals.
Francia: Her first major opportunity fell through due to financial constraints, but her department chair connected her to an editorial internship at Morningstar. There, her editor introduced her to industry professionals, including the enterprise editor at P&I, who encouraged her to apply for an internship she initially offered to help fill.
Edison: He sought opportunities outside Texas after graduation, interning at Poynter and attending Columbia Journalism School. This opened doors to a summer fellowship at the Texas Tribune and a job at the Connecticut Mirror. These roles provided diverse reporting experience, including legislative coverage, preparing him for his current position at the Tribune covering K-12 education in Texas. Each step contributed to his growth as a journalist.
What worked and what didn't work when applying for jobs/internships?
Francia: It turns out networking does work, especially if you're attending a networking event with someone who has been in the field longer than you have. They help you connect with people who are hiring someone. And you just happen to be what they're looking for. That helps spotlight yourself
Edison: You have to take every interaction seriously. Whether you’re in an internship, fellowship or even grad school, approach these opportunities with reliability and dedication because word of mouth travels fast. The industry is more interconnected than you might think. He has had situations where someone he interviewed for a Poynter story later interviewed him for a job.
Martin: She echoed both on networking. When she interned at Chalkbeat last summer, one of her professors used their connection with editors to put in a good word for her before she applied. It was helpful, given there were three rounds of interviews before she actually met with the editor she would work with.
How did student journalism prepare you for your first internship/first job?
Edison: Student journalism was foundational for him, given his college years filled with major events like COVID-19, the Black Lives Matter protests and the 2020 presidential election. Student media was a “crash course” in journalism, allowing him to experiment and make mistakes, which were invaluable when it came to internship and early career roles.
Martin: Student journalism put her ahead of her peers without similar experience. Editors hiring interns are always looking for candidates with student media experience, as it shows they’ve already developed practical skills.
Francia: Her high school journalism experience helped her do well in college journalism classes and beyond. Specializing in business journalism at a school known for its business program was a huge advantage, especially in understanding complex topics like finance and the stock market. Also, having multimedia skills like photography has been a key asset, especially in workplaces where others may lack those skills.
What do you wish journalism school had taught you that you had to learn on your own?
Martin: Journalism schools need to better prepare students for the evolving media landscape. Traditional principles like “if it bleeds, it leads” feel outdated. I advocate for a more reflective approach, focusing on the “how” behind events, not just the “what.”
Edison: One of the most valuable lessons I learned was that there’s no single way to do journalism. Classroom lessons don’t always translate directly into the field, where you face unpredictable scenarios and interact with everyday people. The key is to internalize what’s valuable from each professor and apply it where it fits, while also trusting your instincts and being prepared for real-world learning moments.
Francia: Fact-checking is something journalism schools emphasize, but the reality is that editors won’t always catch your mistakes. When she was a business editor in college, she feared making mistakes that her peers could make fun of. Now, she understands the importance of being self-reliant in editing and checking the facts.
How do you deal with rejections?
Edison: Rejection is part of the tough reality of today’s journalism job market. He suggested focusing on building relationships with interviewers and treating each job as a stepping stone toward future opportunities. Staying persistent and adaptable is key, even if the first opportunity isn’t your “dream job.” It’s about finding ways to grow, no matter how small the initial wins seem.
Francia: With the job market shrinking, she entered the industry with low expectations, and that helped her view small successes as real wins. It kept her motivated through the tough times.
Martin: She has been lucky in that she has been offered every opportunity she has applied for. But she thought originality is key in journalism. Reporters who tackle underreported stories — especially hyper-local ones — stand out. Focusing on topics that others may avoid can make your work more valuable.
What advice do you have for graduating seniors?
Francia: Enjoy your time in college, especially working at a student newspaper — it’s an experience you’ll miss. If you're entering the industry, try to specialize in an area early on, like business reporting, to build a strong portfolio. This will help you stand out when applying for roles.
Edison: Hiring managers value candidates who are collaborative and helpful. In your applications and interviews, emphasize not just what you want from the role, but also what you can contribute to the team. Being reliable and a team player goes a long way. Also, always read the publications you're applying to — it shows genuine interest and preparation, which will set you apart.
Martin: She considered the media landscape a year before graduating, focusing on opportunities that offered better pay and benefits. This led her to pursue grad school and target a bigger media market with more opportunities.
Where do you find journalism jobs?
Francia: For those interested in business journalism, Talking Biz News is a great resource, as it posts job listings and industry updates, including hiring news. It’s a solid way to keep up with who's hiring and trends in specialized sectors like finance.
Martin: X is an essential platform for job opportunities, where editors and journalists often share openings. Another resource is Inside The Newsroom, a Substack job board that features numerous journalism jobs, including student discounts for access.
Edison: He recommended checking the Institute for Nonprofit News website for nonprofit journalism job listings. It’s a valuable resource for finding opportunities at member organizations, and it’s helpful to keep an eye on job boards to pass opportunities to others in your network.
Watch the full discussion below.
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Story Spotlight:
📅 Ten years ago, Rolling Stone published an unsubstantiated story on rape at the University of Virginia. The center of this journalistic implosion and activism was The Cavalier Daily student journalists. A decade later, they shared what it was like reporting on such a high-profile controversy.
💸 The Branding Iron at the University of Wyoming is facing a 75% funding cut by the student government. In an editorial, the editor-in-chief said the primary reason cited for the cut was “editorial criticisms, that included false information.”
📝 The Kentucky Kernel filed a lawsuit against the University of Kentucky after it did not provide requested records concerning the case of the alleged rape and strangulation of a UK student in an on-campus residence hall.
🙏 Poynter Senior Vice President And Ethics Chair Kelly McBride is thankful for student journalism. “It gives me hope to see so much excellent student journalism holding the powerful accountable.”
Featured Opportunities:
A McClatchy virtual job fair is Dec. 16-18. Register by Dec. 2.
The Marshall Project, the SPLC and the CCN are hosting a virtual session on how to make criminal justice reporting accessible in the classroom Dec. 4.
Apply to City Bureau’s Civic Reporting Fellowship in Chicago before Dec 5.
The Ida B. Wells Society Investigative Fellowship, a six-month-long program, accepts applications until Dec. 6.
Join Wall Street Journal Dec. 6 and next week for an info session on its paid, two-year news associates program.
The National Press Club is hosting a virtual briefing for journalists on the presidential transition Dec. 6.
The International Center for Journalists is looking for a Disarming Disinformation Winter Intern. The deadline’s rolling.
The American Society of Magazine Editors’ applications for its internship program are open until Jan. 7.
Jim Dowe Public Media Internship’s applications at Maine Public Broadcasting are open until Jan. 5.
Check out Newsday editorial internships. Applications will be accepted through Jan. 31.
Thank you! I’ll be sharing with my students!