"Realize your responsibility. As journalists, you will shape what people learn about the world."
Jan Leach, assistant professor at Kent State University, offered that advice and more to high school students at Poynter this summer. She urged students to remember the essentials: read and write often, and develop a network of journalists.
- Read -- Good writers are dedicated readers. Read everything -- menus, CD liners, bulletin boards -- especially things you wouldn’t normally encounter. Pick up a book or magazine you’d never seek out. And stay up-to-date on current events. Know what’s happening –- everywhere.
- Write, Write, Write -- You must practice your craft to excel at it. Enjoy the experience of what it is to communicate with the written word.
- Don’t Just Write, Write Well -- People judge you on how well you can communicate, and written communication is necessary in nearly every aspect of society. Even as a photojournalist, you will need to write captions to accompany your work, or headlines for a photo story. So seek excellence in your writing, and learn grammar. Consider: Is it interesting? Is it objective? Does it achieve what it set out to do?
- Develop a Network -- To be successful in journalism, it helps to be part of the professional community of journalists. Start your Rolodex now, and keep it forever. Get contact information from your high school journalism teacher and anyone you know who has anything to do with professional journalism. These contacts could help jumpstart your career. You never know when you’re going to need them.
