Journalism & Publishing By: Jennifer L. Frey Chatham County Public School

Overview of Industry n To produce books, newspapers, and periodicals that entertain us, educate us and bring us the news we need to be informed citizens.

Trends in the Industry n Pop journalism n Journalism, or Propaganda? n Weblogs n Consolidation n Vertical Integration

How It Breaks Down n Newspapers - 40% of industry revenue n Magazines - multibillion dollar industry expanding each year n Books - 1/5 of the industry n Online Information - ever expanding universe

Career Tracks n Journalism & Publishing starts with a position as an intern, editorial assistant, proofreader, or fact-checker. n Many start out as a freelance writer for local newspapers, websites or school papers.

Career Tracks - cont. n Career tracks vary in book, newspaper, and website publishing, as do the skills n Similar roles

Career Tracks - cont. n Editorial Assistants & Coordinators n Copyeditors n Writers and Reporters n Managing Editors n Associate Editors & Section Editors n Executive Editors & Senior Editors n Technical Writers n Freelancers

Career Tracks - cont. Editorial Assist./Coord. n Assist editors and reporters n Handle overflow from the copy desk n Edit certain columns Copy Editors n Work closely with text paying attention to style, grammar and consistency n Responsibilities vary from publication to publication

Career Tracks - cont. Writers & Reporters n Investigative work: through phone calls, face-to-face interviews, travel or internet research. n Cover a beat or a main subject of interest Managing Editors n Oversee the flow of an ad and editorial space n Study market trends, reader surveys, and create budgets. n Soothe egos, resolve conflicts n Create schedules and enforce deadlines. n Edit content in some capacity.

Career Tracks - cont. Associate & Section Editors n Oversee a particular section of a publication n Spots leads not catchy n Fixes stories that are not cohesive n Finds and hire freelancers n s writers Executive & Senior Editors n Set editorial policy n Write opinion pieces n Manage teams of editors n Oversee content and enforce quality standards and styles n Plans budgets, sets deadlines and watch market trends

Career Tracks - cont. Technical Writers n Transform info. into logically organized text n Develop instruction manuals, training guides, how-to pamphlets Freelancers n Find work n Be able to pitch ideas n Schedule time wisely n Work at home n Create own structure

Compensation n Copywriter: $27,000 - $50,000 n Senior Copywriter: $50,000-$85,000 n Editor: $35,000-$60,000 n Senior Editor: $60,000-$90,000 n Reporter: $22,500-$30,000 n Technical Writer: $35,000-$50,000 n Web Writer: $27,500-$75,000 n Salaries vary depending on special knowledge about industry or technology in general

Job Prospects n Job market is stagnant will grow slower than any other occupation through 2010 n An internship or apprenticeship is the best bet to gain valuable experience

Major Players n Time Warner n Viacom, Inc. n News Corp.

Love n The Power of the Press - get the credit you deserve n Say what you Mean and Mean what you Say - be outspoken n Work with Words - creative expression

Hate n Holier Than Thou - how high are your morals n Faster! Faster! - meet and beat deadlines n Those Who Can, Do…stand on the sidelines and observe

Degree Requirements n Bachelor degree in Journalism, Communications or English

Skills Required n Knowledge of grammar, language and narrative (storytelling) are essential skills n Conduct Research n Proofreading Skills

Soft Skills Required n Interviewing skills n Self-Motivation n Creativity finding information and telling a story n Curious and resourceful n Desire to communicate to others n Ability to organize language and think critically

Courses In High School n Business Communications n Keyboarding n Newspaper n Language Arts (creative writing) n Marketing n Social Studies n Science n Math

Two Year College - AS Degree n O.C.C. n Associate Degree Program in Journalism as a concentration n

Four Year College - BS Degree n Syracuse University - New House School of Communications n Undergraduate Programs - Advertising, Journalism, Public Relations, Film, Visual and Interactive Communications n

Internships & Apprenticeships n WSTM News Channel 3 n WIXT Channel 9 n WTVH Channel 5 n WCNY - PBS Channel 24 n The Syracuse Post- Standard n Time Warner Cable

Getting Hired n Enjoy reading, writing and news n Exhibit competence, calmness, don’t oversell yourself n Keep it short and simple n Less is almost always more

Stay focused and follow your career goals! Always remember…the glass is half full!