Journalism

Interested in recruiting for jobs in journalism? Read below to get advice from alumni and peers and learn more about timelines and diversity programs.

Journalism Recruiting at Harvard

“The best way to get into journalism while at Harvard is to join The Crimson. It provides excellent practical training that will help you land internships and gain the skills you need to work for a professional publication.” - Journalist, Harvard Class of 2019

News publications and outlets often don’t recruit at schools. However, there are websites like Poynter that compile lists of opportunities in the industry. Additionally, local and national news organizations release information about opportunities on their websites.

One resource on campus for those interested in journalism is The Nieman Foundation, which has an annual class of fellows who are experienced journalists on campus who are easily accessible.

“Through The Crimson, I met a bunch of people at the Nieman Foundation, which is the journalism fellowship… They’re very much an underused resource for undergraduates. They’re generally eager to help with whatever projects or advice."

- Intern at The Santa Monica Mirror and The Financial Times, Harvard Class of 2022

The Recruiting Timeline

Many internship applications for the summer are due by October-November, although some have late deadlines that allow applicants to complete applications by March. Around October-November, applications for spring internships open.

“Typically aspiring journalists start by interning for a local publication first, and then when you're a rising junior or senior you're eligible to apply for national internships at places like The Washington Post, CBS News, or The Wall Street Journal.”

- Journalist, Harvard Class of 2019

“It's definitely much easier to get experience at a small local paper if it's available and you have the means to be unpaid. Harvard has grants for working for non-profits, I think, so there's maybe a way to get funding for these types of things, like a local nonprofit news organization that can find you work without paying you. So I think it's a valuable experience.”

- Intern at The Santa Monica Mirror and The Financial Times, Harvard Class of 2022

Diversity Programs

Diversity in any industry is essential, and there are groups within the journalism industry that establish community for underrepresented journalists. These include the National Association of Black Journalists, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, the Asian American Journalists Association, the Native American Journalists Association, the South Asian Journalists Association and the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association. These associations can also help their members establish connections and find internship opportunities. More programs can be found here.

People with certain skill sets and interests tend to find their niche in the field of journalism. Read advice below below to find out if journalism is for you and what skills the industry requires.

“There is no fixed career path in journalism, as there is in many other fields, and things change fast. Listen to all the advice you can get, take what helps, and leave the rest. It's a tough time in the industry, and there are always doomsday predictions. If you can see yourself doing something else and being happy, do that. Otherwise, ignore the naysayers and trust that you will find a way. There are still people out there telling stories and getting hired every day! Who you know does matter a lot (too much), so build relationships with peers and mentors.” - Freelance Magazine Journalist, Harvard Class of 2007

Yes, journalism is a good fit for me!

These are the most important traits to have to become good journalist:

Persistance

“There is no one kind of person that succeeds at journalism. There are many roles requiring different skill sets, and people with wildly different personalities can use their strengths to get the job done. If I had to pick some general characteristics: empathy, persistence, curiosity, self-motivation, detail-oriented, having a commitment to revealing the truth (even if it's uncomfortable), willing to face rejection and take feedback, having hustle (especially if you're a freelancer).”

- Freelance Magazine Journalist, Harvard Class of 2007

Meticulousness

Nobody wants to read an inaccurate article. While most articles tend to concisely convey the main idea and happenings of the topic, behind-the-scenes, the journalist must be willing to cover all grounds to ensure that each statement is factually correct and not misleading. Although there are fact checkers and copy editors who look over work, it serves one well to be able to do this themselves, especially in a time crunch.

Curiosity

"Good journalists are deeply curious about the world near and far. They put in the time to seek out stories that aren't being told, and they aren't afraid to ask tough questions of people in power. For news reporters, clarity, brevity and speed in writing are highly valued."

- Journalist, Harvard Class of 2019

No, I may be more suited for another industry.

Here are some traits that don't line up with success in journalism:

Difficulty Meeting Deadlines

The newsroom is a place of much collaboration. Missing a deadline not only reflects poorly on you, but also puts much pressure on the others on your team, especially since the fact checking and editing processes await. Thus, journalists are trained to meet deadlines.

The Most Important Skills for Journalism

If journalism is right for you, honing the right traits is essential. Here is a list formed by insiders of the most important skills in the industry:

Initiative

First and foremost, getting internships in the journalism industry requires that one takes initiative; publications and outlets seldom recruit and mostly rely on interns and professional journalists to find opportunities themselves. But once one has gained an opportunity, it doesn’t stop there. To bring the best and most accurate content to their viewers, a journalist must have the motivation to find and follow leads and continuously work on stories. They also must have the initiative to suggest and implement changes that will enhance the audience’s experience.

Adaptability

A journalist must be comfortable in all of their work surroundings. Especially for those working on news boards, it’s imperative that they are quick on their feet and able to cover breaking news immediately. Additionally, employers may be looking for people who can fit any circumstance, so as to hire versatile people who can cover all grounds in light of an unexpected change.

“Be open to the different positions you could have in a newsroom that are maybe not exactly what you think about when you think about your career in journalism because i know for example people on news want to write for big publications on big beats for news things. There are a lot more growing positions in digital stuff…. Be open-minded about the types of roles that you’re looking for because there’s a lot of collaboration within the newsroom so there's a lot of different things you could be doing and there's no need to limit yourself to one or two roles”

- Intern at The Santa Monica Mirror and The Financial Times, Harvard Class of 2022

Communication

Although the writing process often only involves one or two people, behind every story is the contribution of so many more. To get the full scoop, journalists need to interview all relevant sources, whether on- or off-the-record, which requires much engaged conversation and the ability to gain a source’s trust. Additionally, each story goes through editing from section editors, fact checkers, copy editors, and the like whom journalists must be willing to work with.

Aptitude for Research, Writing, and Social Media

As a journalist, one must maintain the quality and accuracy of their writing. This means doing thorough research, whether one’s branch of journalism is direct like news or in-depth like investigative, and making sense of the story in order to clearly present it for the audience. Applying these skills will keep an audience engaged and please employers— and perhaps even attract others.

“Consume the media that you want to be producing. If you want to write, you should have favorite writers and follow publications with work you enjoy so that you know where you want to focus, and that'll also help with interviews… That also helps with the actual craft itself and makes you a better journalist to apply for these positions.”

- Intern at The Santa Monica Mirror and The Financial Times, Harvard Class of 2022

How can I find internship opportunities as a freshman?

How can I find internship opportunities as a freshman?

Recruiting for Journalism

Journalism Recruiting at Harvard

The Recruiting Timeline

Diversity Programs

Is Journalism for Me?

Yes, journalism is a good fit for me!

No, I may be more suited for another industry.

The Most Important Skills for Journalism

Types of Journalism

The Basics: What is Journalism?

Subsections of Journalism