Journalism offers both challenges and excitement. Being read by a large audience can outweigh the long hours and uncertain lifestyle. Journalists often work as editors, professors, researchers and analysts as well as writers. Expand your skills with many types of journalism to gain experience and stay employed. Work a local beat with newspaper articles or a regional magazine feature. Build connections as a foreign correspondent or freelance book reviewer.

Professional journalists need to report quickly and accurately. Keep writing skills and computer word-processing skills sharp, and prep queries alongside assignments. Be prepared for the breaking story deadline by staying in contact with sources and having an organized work area. Interpersonal skills are a must for capturing the essentials from brief conversation and interviews. Attend courses, workshops and conferences to stay informed about technologies and trends.

Whether you just finished journalism school or have been gaining experience from another profession, consider these options for staying in the thick of it:

1. Improve proofreading or interviewing skills with a workshop.

2. Get an info journalism expert to back your original article idea.

3. Put the latest current events into historical perspective for a fresh feature.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get more information on journalism and the journalism business with online seminars

Participate in workshops, online seminars and online tutorials covering print journalism and press writing, small business journalism, broadcast journalism and online and digital journalism. Look for programs that offer job listings, guideline postings or other benefits included with your tuition fees.

I recommend: The Reynolds Center at Arizona State University offers workshops from experienced business journalists and teachers in an open discussion format. NewsLab offers journalism workshops from Deborah Potter on topics from newsroom training to ethical decision-making. Workshops can be arranged for multiple day sessions, conferences or onsite in your newsroom.

Find journalism information experts with online directories

Search by topic category and submit your query to experts quoted in newspaper articles, online journalism content and broadcast journalism outlets. Be sure to include your credentials and contact info as well as your topics of interest.

I recommend: Expertclick.com's directory provides interview sources for working journalists. Experts can get database membership and press release distribution services. ProfNet offers about 14,000 journalism connections to deliver a fast turnaround time on your queries.

Use publishing syndicate services for real-time news from info journalism providers

Get press writing distributed over news wire services for business content, newsbreaks and real-time current events. Look for news features, photos, graphics, comics, illustrations, columns and features from news and entertainment organizations to include in blogs, viral marketing content or other online journalism.

I recommend: PR Newswire offers press release information with wire, fax, satellite and Internet options. Access PR Newswire's content online or with e-mail delivery. Use America.gov for up-to-date federal news regarding current US foreign policy and American life and culture.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Network with journalism groups for more information on journalism industries.
• •  List yourself as an expert and market your own information products. Offer community classes to supplement your income.