How to get training and experience in the journalism field: getting informed and involved.

Now that you have the basic foundation of rules and guidelines that journalists must follow, it is time to seek out a class involving yearbook, online news, multimedia, or even editorial leadership. Once you successfully find a class, you are now equipped to start writing. However, you must work carefully so that you can find your niche, or how you want to tackle a certain piece of writing. In order to do this, reach out and talk to your editors first, and then your advisor so that they are aware of your assignment. If you are new to a journalism class or the school as a whole, reach out to as many people as possible to familiarize yourself with your peers. Another alternative is even looking through yearbooks, studying names and grades. Your editors will be your guide and saving grace through the class so that you stay on track, as they provide reassurance and guidance through the interviewing and writing process. As far as gaining experience, you simply do this by writing and interacting with others. You have to start somewhere, and that will be your entrance to student media. Take your editor’s’ advice and act on it, because this is your training. Another way to receive any additional training is to attend any journalism or media workshops, conferences, or programs. To enrich your skills in the classroom, there are various programs you can apply for by simply doing some research, but make sure you have a few ideal examples of writing you have published, to submit so officials can see what you have done thus far. On your own time, there are also books, documents, blogs, columns, and speeches about creating good journalism, or what it means to inform others. Do some research and take careful note on these resources because they are there to provide you with all the help you need. The only way to have experience is by putting yourself out there in the real world, even if it is just interviewing a teacher you have never talked to. By doing this, you are essentially training yourself more and more each time you do it.