Do you want to work in media? 7 steps to make your dream come true

1. Choose the direction in which you want to develop

Not only journalists and editors work in the media. You can become a producer, digital strategist, SMM specialist, media manager, PR manager, photojournalist. Think about the direction in which you would like to work. For example, if you like working with video, you can write scripts for videos or master editing. And if you like a static picture, look at the professions of a designer or a commercial illustrator.

In journalism, people with different starting abilities are in demand. For example, the work of a newsman is suitable for energetic and responsible people who know how to produce results in a short time. And a data journalist turns complex numbers and statistics into graphs and tables that are understandable to the reader. This is where perseverance and an analytical mindset come in handy.

2. Learn to work with information

The media value the ability to quickly process data, highlight the main thing, and navigate information flows. It’s also important to learn how to verify information, even if it seems 100% true to you. Pay attention to which sites the author of the text refers to. For example, Wikipedia

unreliable source, but if the news was published by a major scientific journal or a well-known news agency, it can most likely be trusted. In addition, no one has canceled the rule of two sources. For example, when a journalist writes about a conflict between neighbors, he must take a comment from both participants, because the attitude to the situation is different. If only one side is presented in a text, it can be incomplete at best, biased at worst.

3. Activate networking

Even if there are no people in your environment who work in the media, they are sure to be found among your friends' acquaintances. Ask to arrange a meeting for you or at least get the necessary contacts. Ask a new acquaintance about how he started his career path, and ask if the company where he works has vacancies or internships for beginners.

Attend themed events, participate in competitions, go to conferences. On them you can not only listen to interesting lectures, but also talk with different people. For example, to improve your networking skills and deepen your knowledge, you can register to the All-Russian Youth Forum "NOISE". It will be held in June in Kaliningrad. It is waiting for young people 18-35 years old. The most active participants will receive invitations for internships and money to implement their ideas.

4. Practice on your own

The digital age makes it possible to start honing your skills almost from the school bench. You can start by blogging or making videos. Talk about topics that interest you. For example, if you are an art fan, share news about exhibitions that take place in your city, write reviews of films and performances. And if you are interested in sports, you can publish information about local football or hockey matches, interview coaches and players. Interested in animals - invite a friend of a charitable organization to lead her social networks. If you like to travel, do not just post beautiful photos, but share interesting routes with subscribers, record videos with local residents about the life and traditions of the country. Blogging may not bring you a lot of money and likes, but it will be a good platform for practicing skills.

5. Take a look at the training programs

You can start a career in the media in different ways: someone immediately gets a job, and someone goes to study. The first option has advantages: you can get practical experience, and even a salary. But the second should not be ignored. In the courses, you can acquire skills that will be useful in the profession. For example, you can understand how media marketing is built, or understand the intricacies of copyright. It is especially important to get acquainted with the theory for beginners who blog on their own, without the help of an experienced editor or mentor. For example, in the courses you can learn how to write news and how a report differs from an investigation.

6. Work on your portfolio

In addition to a resume, a media worker needs to acquire a portfolio. It should include a story about yourself and some of the most successful projects that showcase your skills and strengths. For a journalist, these can be articles, and for an SMM specialist, examples of creatives and strategies for implemented advertising campaigns. If you don't have experience, include relevant study projects in your portfolio. And you can also offer your friends to provide the service for free, provided that this work appears in the portfolio. For example, develop a landing page design, or write texts for a friend’s store website, or make a photo shoot for a friend for social networks. By the way, if you are honing your skills on your blog, feel free to link to it as well.

7. Look for internship programs

Many companies are willing to take newbies for training for free or for a small fee. You can find suitable offers at hh.ru, SuperJob, grinter.ru, as well as in telegram channels "Media work», Work for writers, «We are waiting for a resume». Also, try writing directly to companies that interest you. Even if the employer is not currently looking for interns, he may remember you in the future. Tell us about your experience and explain how your services would be useful. Don't forget to attach a link to your portfolio to your email.