The story...
Consider Raoul Hernandez, music editor of the Austin Chronicle, an alternative weekly paper in Texas. "I wanted to be a writer from the time I read Where The Wild Things Are," recalls Hernandez. After a stint at a radio news station and a media buying firm, Hernandez, who majored in English as an undergrad, enrolled in graduate school at Stanford while working part-time at the San Francisco Examiner. He landed a fellowship in journalism at Stanford, with veterans of the San Jose Mercury-News as instructors. ("They were like Marine drill sergeants," he says.)

A move to San Antonio found him reviewing Hispanic theater at the San Antonio Light and freelancing at the Austin Chronicle. His regular column at the Chronicle eventually led to the editor's desk at the paper, where he's in charge of assigning feature stories, profiles, CD and live-music reviews, keeping track of writers and having the final say on every operational and editorial aspect of the paper's music department.

He also works with the paper's art department, photographers and staff artists in laying out the graphic design of stories and serves as the final gatekeeper on each story. "I see no end in sight for me doing this job," Hernandez says. "I've loved newspapers from the fifth grade on. I'm both a writer and an editor. It's all hands-on in getting the newspaper out."

What you can do...
Expect to pay your dues to make it into top journalism positions. Often, journalists start careers with smaller publications and broadcasters in their hometown. In order to land a first job, you will need at least some interning or professional experience. Think of internships as the test-run for a real (read: paid!) job.

Hands-on experience proves your talent and skills to future employers. Though internships are not always glamorous, your commitment to working shows that you are responsible and ready to be hired.

Interning can also provide connections within your industry that are often just as valuable as the credentials on your resume. other sources:

Want more info?
Go to CampusAccess.com.

Or, meet a journalist. Check out gURL's spotlight interview with Tamala Edwards.