Q. I am approaching college graduation in May. I have had two successful professional internships at fairly large newspapers and extensive experience on the staff of my college daily, this year serving as editor-in-chief.
At this point, I know that I want a career in print journalism, preferably newspapers. I'd like to be a newspaper editor one day, and I've heard conflicting reports from mentors at my internships about which path is the best. Some say to spend a few years as a reporter before trying to make the
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transition to the news side. Others say it's best to spend more years on the copy desk; copy editors make a faster, smoother switch.
As I start my job search, I see a variety of positions available -- reporters and copy editors. I'm interested in both sides, but I want to apply and accept a position that would put me in a good place to reach my goal of editing a newspaper someday. What do you recommend?
MartiA. The most well-rounded editors understand what happens in all parts of the newsroom -- and they have a solid understanding of audience, personnel, legal, technological and business issues, as well.
Learn reporting and editing, but don't stop there.
For the newsroom part of your experience, I suggest you start with reporting and switch to editing
later. Editors are, and always will be, scarcer than reporters, so it is easier to make a move from reporting to editing than the other way around. If you went into editing now, I'd be afraid of getting stuck there and never learning the reporting that will help you run a content department or be a managing editor or executive editor.
As you go, pay close attention to how journalism is moving to online. With a 40-year career in front of you, I think it is safer to work toward a job as the director of a journalistic enterprise than to maintain a narrow focus on just ink-on-paper. It is too limiting for a long-range plan.
Coming Thursday: This reporter is on her second job at a major metro and would really
like her next move to be home, but wonders if it is too soon to try.
