Something to take serious: The value of a journalism internship

College isn’t easy; anyone who has been through it knows that, but majoring in journalism makes it even tougher.

It’s obvious that the journalism industry is pushing through a tough period, one that is putting more journalists into the endless pit that is unemployment. Everyday, we place another newspaper six-feet-under. Publishers have placed journalistic quality on the back burner as they focus on the bottom line. When I put all of these pitiful puzzle pieces together, a strong message is created for and directed at us future journalists. Change your major.

But there is a reason I chose journalism. Wether it's spending hours upon hours calling that one source to get the story in by deadline or shooting 500 photos only to have one printed, it’s the thrill of the hunt that keeps me going. So how do we, the media future, get to the finish line when all we are holding is a college degree? The answer is as simple as putting on a shirt and tie, printing a copy of that resume and finding an internship.

For those who have yet to experience the wonders of the journalism internship, prepare to be blown away when you realize how much you have to give for what at the time seems like nothing. Just remember, that nothing will turn into a career down the road.

To start off, expect little to no pay for the hard work. Companies are relieving people of their corporate duties (as one employer I worked for put it) due to financial woes. By bringing in a group of 10 college students who will do anything they are asked to do at no pay is a publisher’s dream.

Don’t go into the internship expecting to be getting coffee for people. There is a reason that an intern is brought on board, writing front-page stories, shooting a feature photo, designing the centerfold or managing the social networking sites are all jobs that an intern should expect to do.

The new-media newsroom in many cases is too advanced for old school reporters, leaving multimedia, web and more recently, social networking up to those of us who know it. These are all tools that newsrooms are starting to use to get their product out quickly while keeping it cost effective. Having an intern do it makes it even cheaper.

Be able to write the story, take the photos, record audio for a multimedia piece and layout the page while Tweeting the whole time. It sounds like a lot, but the more you can do, the better the chances of an editor or publisher recognizing not only your ability, but also your knowledge and drive. This is where being in school pays off, all we have to do is sign up for audio production or photography as an elective, and within 2 months we have the knowledge of four employees.

Be there for everything. Unlike an employee, interns should have no set schedule. Working 50 hours a week is not unrealistic, as a matter of fact, it’s beneficial. Being there for every staff meeting or production weekend only increases your face time with the people you are trying to impress.

Work for a college publication. As much as we would like to think that taking an introduction to news writing course teaches us all there is to know about being a reporter, it is using that information and applying it to a real life situation that proves you know how to write a news story. College newsrooms offer it’s staff members the ability to practice every aspect of journalism and get a byline out of it.

The concept of an internship seems simple when it's undertaken, but it is vital to remember that these are the people who can open your career door. They will not come to you, but if you can walk up to them, and prove that you are the best, you will not be denied.