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Career Center

Journalism, Writing, Publishing

Industry-Specific Insights

  • Internships are hugely important in the field of journalism, as they provide the professional contacts and clips necessary to obtain work.
  • It will be very difficult to find a job as a journalist without having had a minimum of two or three internships (not including the experience needed with campus publications).
  • Many larger papers won’t even consider you unless you’ve already had at least two previous journalism internships, and the same is often true of the more prestigious magazines.
  • Smaller publications have more opportunities for those just starting out and often provide a more substantive internship experience.
  • Think outside the mainstream—some lesser-known, non-print publications are considered within the field to have some of the best internships.
  • Publishing internships can be found in all areas of the industry, from editorial to publicity to digital to sales to subsidiary rights, and may be found in large publishing houses, university presses, and small independent houses and presses.
  • Magazine editors or fact-checkers will find openings posted on magazine websites and on a dedicated jobs tab if the publication is digital.
  • Jobs in the publishing industry can be found posted on industry-specific sites and on the web pages of individual publishing houses. Illustrators are more likely to find freelance opportunities.
  • Be prepared to begin a journalism career in a small market, performing entry-level tasks, before moving to larger markets and positions with more creative freedom and responsibility.
  • As the industry is tightening, applicants who have experience in a niche market, e.g. religious publishing, or outstanding technical skills, will be more competitive.
  • View our Career Planning Guide & Internship Orientation Guide. Here is an accessible PDF: Internship Orientation Guide.

Job Boards

Industry-Specific Job Boards

Selected Resources

The resources below are a combination of general industry information as well as specific job and internship posting sites for this industry.

Selected Professional Associations

A professional association is an organization of people who have similar career interests. These membership-based organizations often offer a reduced rate for students that allow access to the many resources they provide. Professional association websites can also offer job/internship databases as well as opportunities to find mentors or other contacts.

Company & Industry Research

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Industry Blogs