If I Were 22: Attending School vs Covering Snipers — I Made the Right Decision
This post is part of a series in which Influencers share lessons from their youth. Read all the stories here.
"You barely need a kindergarten degree to do this job." That's what a local reporter in Boston told me when he found out I wanted to be just like him. I was working as a writer at a nearby station during my senior year in college. He was exaggerating, but it did make me wonder about my next step.
At the time, I'd been accepted to the Master's in Journalism programs at Columbia, Northwestern and the University of Missouri. I also had a real job offer at NBC News in New York in the News Associates Program, a training program for aspiring producers and reporters. I knew if I took the job, I'd probably never go back for that advanced degree.
It was a tough decision but I ended up at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, and never looked back once. I instantly realized I was learning much more about how to be a journalist working real stories in the real world, than I would be in a classroom. My first week on the assignment desk at MSNBC, 9 miners were trapped in a Pennsylvania coal mine. I watched the news break and the newsroom spring into action. I helped them bring the story to air. When a sniper started shooting people in Washington DC, I flew down to assist the team in the field. If I didn't have this opportunity, I'm sure going to graduate school wouldn't have hurt, but in this field hands-on experience is critical. And just getting your foot in the door is one of the hardest parts.
Of course, if I wanted to be a doctor or a lawyer my decision would have been different. No one would have let me into an operating room with a degree in Social Studies. But for aspiring journalists, my advice is to go for that first job or internships as early as you can. I got an early internship at Good Morning America, hence the embarrassing photo.
To be a good journalist, I'd also say you need much more than a kindergarten degree. The people I admire most in this industry have a genuine curiosity about the world and a thirst to tell the world's stories.
Photo: Author's Own
Executive Leadership | Strategy | Growth | Stability
10 年This is a great, concise, article. For those of us who are in a "non-grad school-critical" role, experience and results have almost always been the wild card over coursework. Outside of medical, legal, scientific, and education roles, I've always known my clients to appreciate best practices and field experience over more time in the lecture hall.
Executive Secretary at Estee Lauder
10 年the road taken......fueled also with desire determination, a knowledge of ones self. All necessary to take on your profession. Many of your other attributes have been gathered along the way, and used to further you along as needed.
Department Manager | Project Control | Architecture
10 年Read about other disciplines; this is how breakthrough is created and new paradigm is born. Forget about others and concentrate on what you are doing; that is how to serve everyone.
GM TECHNICAL AMALGAM GROUP / DIAGEO / SABMILLER INDIA
10 年Good one.
GM TECHNICAL AMALGAM GROUP / DIAGEO / SABMILLER INDIA
10 年Good one