If you’re graduating from J-school or a great PR program this year, fear not. While it may not be easy to find that entry level position you’re searching for, it’s never been easy. There are more tools and resources at your disposal now than ever. In many ways, there’s never been a better time to work in journalism or PR (provided you like the salaries offered to entry-level pros). Change breeds opportunity; and there’s no shortage of change in these industries today.
Here are some brief thoughts for you to consider as you pack up your portfolio and hit the interview trail:
- You Probably Get Social Media More Than They Do – you’ve grown up with email, chat rooms and Facebook. It’s not a new medium for you. Provided you’ve made sure to remove those pictures of you doing a keg stand, an active Facebook profile is an asset for you (bonus points for Twitter and LinkedIn). Many organizations I’ve talked with recently admit to having entry-level employees (or interns) work on their social media efforts. This is a huge opportunity for you just entering the workforce.
- Writing for The Web and Blogs is Normal – it’s not a new channel for you. Chances are good your writing samples include links to blog posts or online articles you’ve written. There are some journalists who are just starting to blog, because they have to. You probably want to write online content. This is a strength you have in your favor.
- You’ll Be a Social Media Expert Soon – after a year or so in your first job, partially because of the two points above, you’ll most likely have more social media experience than your boss and co-workers. You’ll be the one they turn to manage social media campaigns and lead social media pitches.
