By Bill Loewenstein

 

My first job in journalism was as a reporter/photographer for The Grand Ledge Independent, a small weekly newspaper in Grand Ledge, Michigan, 10 miles west of Lansing, Michigan. At the time I was attending Michigan State University in neighboring East Lansing, majoring in journalism.

 

I was eager to get some real-life experience and to build my portfolio of writing and photo clips, so I stopped by that weekly newspaper one day to offer my services. I had worked on my high school newspaper, advancing to editor, so I was not without some experience already. They gave me an application, and asked what I wanted to cover. “Whatever you’ve got,” I eagerly responded, noting that I would be available to cover city government, cops, high school sports, features, whatever. My eagerness was apparently appreciated and I was soon called and given an assignment, a feature on a long-time school custodian, much-liked and soon to retire. I prepared a list of questions, called for an interview appointment, and wrote the feature. The story, when published the following week, was well received both by the subject and the newspaper’s editor, and I was on my way to my first paid, part-time job as a weekly reporter. Make that reporter/photographer, since I soon learned that any story accompanied by a publishable photo not only increased its chances of getting printed, but also my income as a free lancer.

 

After continuing over several months to turn in stories that were clean enough to run without much editing, the time came that I was offered a better job. Apparently the editor was moving on to a new and higher-paying position at a photographic trade magazine, and I was offered the job of editor. The dilemma was that I was still going to school full-time and had one year left before graduating with my journalism degree. The publisher assured me that I could complete my degree “later” and that the opportunity he was offering me now would be a better education in the real world of journalism than any college class could ever be. After much agonizing over what to do, I turned the job down. I had decided to continue my university studies, believing that although the opportunity at the weekly newspaper was a good one, I would be limiting my long-term possibilities by postponing finishing my journalism degree. I still feel that decision was the right one. While writing experience is critical in getting and advancing a career in journalism, I believe that education coupled with experience offers you more opportunities in the long run.

 

What advice can I offer from that first journalism job? Always seek out writing experience, wherever you find it. Begin building your portfolio early in your career, even before you graduate. Work on the school newspaper in high school. Report on whatever subjects are available for whatever employer will hire you. One job will lead to another. And in that journey you will develop your career.