[SYSK] Newspaper execs: Students are f-cked
January 31st, 2009 by Dave StudinskiDiverse skill sets – and the ability to pester the hell out of a hiring manager – are key(s) to landing jobs in today’s news world, a group of newspaper executives (a.k.a., editors and publishers) have proclaimed.
The information is part of a five-state survey of news managers, released at today’s Indiana journalism job fair.
Some highlowlights, out of 86 respondents:
Nearly an equal number of the managers said they need recent graduates who have skills to tell stories in multiple formats (45), such as video and audio, and show command of the written language (40), including writing on deadline and in short bursts for the Web.
Proof it’s not all about keyframes and Photoshop. Effective communication starts with a knowledge of your primary communication language. In our ethnocentric case, that’s English. But what about using that English to get a job?
What positions are you likely to fill in your newsroom in the next year or so?
1. Reporters: 34 (Including for Web site, interns and possible positions.)
2. None: 27
3. Copy editors: 9
But, wait: “None” isn’t a number …
Could you suggest any reason(s) for college students to consider a career in newspapers in light of the downsizing in our industry today?
1. Skills of a journalist will always be in demand regardless of format: 29
2. Important work: 27 (Serve as watchdog for the public; expose corruption; ensure justice and freedom; make a difference; do some good.)
3. Still can be a rewarding and satisfying career: 7
Those are the top three responses. Only <em>seven</em> said it’s still rewarding.
Journalism, including its products and business models, needs a radical, Obama-like change.
Yes We Can?
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