There’s really no time to take a back seat when you’re an aspiring journalist, even if you’re just an incoming freshman. Preparation is key and if you want to know what life is like as a Merrill student at UMD, take a look.
1. You can start playing on the field right off the bat.
There’s a variety of different student news organizations you can join to get hands-on experience working in the field. Many don’t even require prior experience and/or offer volunteer positions, so take advantage of that and sign up!
For aspiring broadcasters, check out CNS and WMUC.
For hardcore printers, research the Diamondback and Stories Beneath the Shell
For sports enthusiasts, look into opportunities at the Big Ten Network and WMUC Sports Radio.
2. The workload pushes you.
The concepts in the classrooms are quick to learn, but it’s the execution that takes hours. Be ready to start from the bottom with a camera and work your way up the ladder to director. Be prepared to sit on a desk for hours doing post-production and trying to figure out how animating graphic design works.
3. You have to read the news…all the time.
It may get tedious, but it sure helps when you know what’s going on in this world. It’s also good to have an idea of what different journalistic styles look like and what different publications interest you.
4. You should write as much as you can about anything!
Even if it’s for a creative writing class or a research paper, it’s still practice. There’s can never be too many publications to write for or too many drafted articles saved on your computer. Writing in a journal every day is also a good way to keep track of any ideas that could potentially turn into a great story.
5. You Gotta Show Up.
Whether it’s a lecture or a trip to D.C., nothing stops you from learning except yourself…or a stop sign.