Reporting on the Rio Grande

By Raul Garcia Jr.

Photo By Norma Saldana Raul Garcia taking pictures at the Mercedes Parade.

I want to work in the newspaper industry after graduation, preferably as  a small town community reporter. The hiring process for a position for a  job in the newsroom takes three phases. Each phase is supported by skill and experience. The first thing that must be done to be considered for a position at a newspaper as a reporter would be to apply for the position. The application process is usually basic as far as contact information and background.  Applying for a position is important because it shows interest. With the application a resume should also be submitted to highlight the candidates' experience. Also the application package should be organized and well put together to make it easy for a prospective employer to review with a resume and clips to win an interview. appointment.   The second phase of getting a job as a reporter is the interview. Here it is important for talk about reporting and experience in the field of journalism and interviewing for a story to write for an audience and on deadline.  It helps to be ready to answer industry questions. The third phase is a hands on test of skill with a test run of journalism aptitude with a deadline in the office or out in the field. The assignment.

Some ways to kick-start a career in journalism is being out there reporting and making a name in the community as a reporter. Reporting and uploading to a website, sending work to the local media outlets can get your foot in the door. The ability to shoot video while reporting and editing can really set a journalist a part from others in the industry. Disseminating information on a social network can really put the word out on information or some thing that happened quickly. This can usually beat out the newspapers and media outlets of the day. Adding important and entertaining information online to social networks and blogs is a good way to showcase skill as a reporter and is a great way to pass information globally. 

Newspapers are now using social networks and reporters have blogs and they are also being asked to shoot video to enhance their reports to draw readers to their site.  Since the newspaper industry is in bad shape most organizations are working on a shoe string budget and are cutting costs and downsizing in the newsroom. Right now newspaper employers are looking for reporters that design, take photos, create web posts and edit video to add multimedia to stories. So knowing the cutting edge tools to enhance journalism and knowing all aspects of newspaper production is a sure way of landing a job in the newsroom.