The journalism industry is filled with advocacy organizations from the Society of Professional Journalists and the National Association of Black Journalists to the Online News Association and even the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association.
Every year, these organizations host national or region conferences that are open to working journalists and other media professionals. These are events that recent journalism graduates should strongly consider attending and here’s why.
YOU CAN LEARN NEW SKILLS
Organizations like Investigative Reporters and Editors and ONA are known for providing some amazing workshops for conference-goers. Likewise, almost every journalism organization will bring together leading scholars and experts to teach full-day or half-day classes on skills ranging from video editing and breaking news coverage to podcasting and narrative writing. Depending on your exact career goals, going to a conference for the workshops is easily worth the price of admission.
YOU CAN INTERVIEW FOR JOB OPENINGS
CNN. The New York Times. ProPublica. The Huffington Post. NPR. Gannett. The list goes on. Journalism conferences bring together the recruiters or hiring managers from major news organizations all under one roof. The savvy journalism graduate will bring copies of his or her resume along with work samples and a list of references. Besides perhaps a job fair at your college, there’s no other opportunity for a recent graduate to have many employers at the same place at the same time.
YOU CAN PRACTICE YOUR NETWORKING SKILLS
Another major staple of the journalism conference is the social events after a day’s worth of workshops. Typically held at a restaurant or bar, these events allow professional journalists to grab a drink and catch up with old friends. For the recent graduate, this is the perfect environment to practice those networking skills. Because everyone has a drink in their hand, everyone is going to be particularly welcoming and social. Use this time to introduce yourself and pass out your business card.
YOU CAN (MAYBE) FIND A MENTOR
A journalism conference is crawling with working professionals who will likely have years or even decades more experience than you. Some of these people have reached the pinnacle of their journalistic career and are now looking to impart wisdom onto eager, young journalists. And that’s where the recent graduate comes in. If you’re aggressive enough and hit a little stroke of luck, you might find someone who has done the type of work you’re looking for and would like to help you get there.
YOU CAN HANG WITH LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE
No matter if you’re a recent graduate or a 50-year veteran, journalism conferences will have someone there who has the same passion as you and probably the same interests. And for some people, it’s incredibly soothing and encouraging to chat with people in their same circumstance. Journalism conferences are the place where lifelong professional bonds are created and reinforced. Go there and have fun. Talk about what struggles you’re experiencing and listen to what other people are going through.