Breaking Into Journalism With The Wrong Degree
So you’ve decided to avoid going back to school. You want to be a writer—this is something you feel in your bones, a passion that translates well onto paper. You love academia, but you don’t love the politics of academia, or the windowless lecture halls.
Is it possible to break into journalism with an unrelated degree?
Yes. This is what a journalist friend of mine assured me when I was looking to leave the field of psychology to make an attempt at writing. But it would take some time.
Before you can make a clean break, you need to gather some “clippings” (samples of published work). The great news is that you have many opportunities. Print and web magazines, online marketers, established companies, and individuals (etc.) are constantly looking for writers to contribute to their publications. But initially, this is not where you’re going to make your profits. Unfortunately, many of these contributions will be pro bono. You are training for a marathon, sweating it out for the bigger picture, developing your muscles. Do your grunt work with a partner—join a writing group comprised of supportive, like-minded individuals.
It gets frustrating doing work for free, so try to cut it to a minimum—having a plan is essential. What kind of a publication would you like to work for? After you have secured some clippings, you can apply for available internships (some which provide compensation), working your way up to your desired position.
Learn the stylistic tendencies of your trade, including Associated Press (AP) style and layout. Pay attention to the buzzwords your co-workers throw out so casually as they talk to one another, professionals in their natural environment. Study these essential techniques and methods at home, use resources from the library, and read the work of your colleagues, as well as samples from publications where you’d like to submit your articles.
Because your internship may be a turning point in your career, take it very seriously; show these people that you have initiative and would make a good full-time employee. If they hire you, you’ve just met your goal, and I’ll quit advising! If they don’t have room at their firm for whatever reason, don’t become dejected. The internship can lead to more profitable work experience in the near future, and an editor with captivating writing abilities could whip up a fantastic letter of recommendation.
While some hiring managers have strict qualifications, including a degree in English or Journalism, there are others that will substitute this with relevant experience and raw talent. It is to your advantage when someone asks for a writing sample. If you want to be a writer for a living, you have little room to cower in fear—show them what you’re made of.
Tags: back to school, changing careers, internship, volunteer work