I have been strongly considering doing everything in my power (an internship writing news for a National Public Radio-station affiliate, editor of my community-college paper, a small handful of articles in local weekly mags) to make a move into the
University of North Carolina J-School, after I attain my associate's degree in English.
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I realize now that I don't want to write about local issues. I want to write op-ed pieces in the newspaper industry, but I don't think that is feasible unless you work for a paper for many years.
I like the idea of writing for travel, fiction and nonfiction in magazines. How logical is it to plan a career in magazines or doing op-ed? Any input is appreciated.
Gary in Wilmington, N.C.
I'm not going to lie. You may have a rough road ahead of you as you pursue some of these very desirable career paths.
You have just described the dream of a great many people. Unfortunately for you, many of them are not just dreaming about this, they are working hard to achieve it. Ironically, they are working as local-news reporters.
Here are a couple of options: Learn all you can about reporting and writing in an entry-level position, and work your way toward your dream job. Or, go straight for the magazine and travel and op-ed jobs. I'd be lying by omission if I didn't warn you that a lot of people who choose the second path wind up working for a while as waiters or drivers and then going into another business.
The direct path is not impossible, but it seems to happen less frequently than working your way there through the business.
Coming Thursday: She thinks she would like to teach journalism at the college level and wonders whether it is important to get some experience in the "real world" to go along with an advanced degree.
