how much does college choice matter?

[BostonCeltz]

for example, I am entering Western Connecticut State University, which I picked over UConn for a few reasons, mainly because of size and location. is that going to come back to haunt me in the future or do newspaper bigwigs realize that the individual and their ability matter way more than pedigree?

thanks

 

[Breakyoself]

get internships and get experience at daily papers in the area. write as much as you can on as many subjects as you can. if you have good clips and some contacts, you should be fine. and don't act like your **** don't stink.

 

[Angola!]

for example, I am entering Western Connecticut State University, which I picked over UConn for a few reasons, mainly because of size and location. is that going to come back to haunt me in the future or do newspaper bigwigs realize that the individual and their ability matter way more than pedigree?

thanks

Doesn't matter at all. I went to a 1,100 person school and have been in the business full time for four years now.

 

[BostonCeltz]

get internships and get experience at daily papers in the area. write as much as you can on as many subjects as you can. if you have good clips and some contacts, you should be fine. and don't act like your **** don't stink.

thanks for the advice...but im not acting like anything, because quite frankly i still have tons of work to do.

 

[Breakyoself]

i know, and wasn't saying that to be a ****. was just a word of caution. good luck with everything. work your butt off and you'll do just fine.

 

[awriter]

for example, I am entering Western Connecticut State University, which I picked over UConn for a few reasons, mainly because of size and location. is that going to come back to haunt me in the future or do newspaper bigwigs realize that the individual and their ability matter way more than pedigree?

thanks

Don't know much about either school's journalism program, but there probably isn't a huge difference. One advantage to going to Connecticut would have been the opportunity to cover a major athletic program and to network with the beat writers, who might have helped you land a job. But again, you don't have to go to a major university to make it in this industry.

 

[HejiraHenry]

It doesn't matter unless you went to Missouri. Then, I absolutely will not hire you.

 

[tyler durden 71351]

You might end up in a better spot just starting out if you go to a big-time school like Missouri, Columbia, Syracuse or Harvard, just because of the reps those universities have and the contacts you make there. But if you're good, smart and hardworking, you'll be fine. Besides, Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth went to Western Conn. State, so there you go.

 

[HejiraHenry]

I wish I had gone to Rhode Island School of Design. I might have wound up in Talking Heads.

 

[sellmate]

All that matters is that you get your experience. You can write for a small paper or big, which I do, but your effort and talent are what matter.
Your college doesn't matter. Just because Tim K-jerkin went to the same college doesn't make you a good writer. I've seen some of the best writers at little papers. But then again Angola! states that he went to a small college and he's had four-years experience. So what! Any jerk can work in the industry. Think this: If you want to work in the industry, no matter what, do it. If you want to make money, get out.

 

[pallister]

do newspaper bigwigs realize that the individual and their ability matter way more than pedigree?

Good ones do, but far too many don't. College degrees, especially from "big name schools," are overrated. Some of the worst people in this biz have degrees from schools with well-known journalism programs. Ultimately, though, having a degree from anywhere makes it light years easier than not having one. If you prove yourself, you'll do fine.

 

[Angola!]

All that matters is that you get your experience. You can write for a small paper or big, which I do, but your effort and talent are what matter.
Your college doesn't matter. Just because Tim K-jerkin went to the same college doesn't make you a good writer. I've seen some of the best writers at little papers. But then again Angola! states that he went to a small college and he's had four-years experience. So what! Any jerk can work in the industry. Think this: If you want to work in the industry, no matter what, do it. If you want to make money, get out.

We are all proud of you that you work for a big paper. Thank you very much for gracing us with your presence.

 

[SoCalScribe]

As this is an industry that values demonstrated performance it's important to pick the school that will give you the best chance at becoming a smarter, better, more experienced sportswriter, clip file included.

 

[Tom Petty]

for example, I am entering Western Connecticut State University, which I picked over UConn for a few reasons, mainly because of size and location. is that going to come back to haunt me in the future or do newspaper bigwigs realize that the individual and their ability matter way more than pedigree?

thanks

heard the chicks were much hotter at uconn ... you should probably reconsider.

 

[Lugnuts]

I wish I had gone to Rhode Island School of Design. I might have wound up in Talking Heads.

If you dis my alma mater again, I'll have to knock you around.

 

[BostonCeltz]

for example, I am entering Western Connecticut State University, which I picked over UConn for a few reasons, mainly because of size and location. is that going to come back to haunt me in the future or do newspaper bigwigs realize that the individual and their ability matter way more than pedigree?

thanks

heard the chicks were much hotter at uconn ... you should probably reconsider.

Well, I have a girl right now. But when/if we break up, I may take your advice because the ladies here are mostly horrendous looking.

 

[MU_was_not_so_hard]

for example, I am entering Western Connecticut State University, which I picked over UConn for a few reasons, mainly because of size and location. is that going to come back to haunt me in the future or do newspaper bigwigs realize that the individual and their ability matter way more than pedigree?

thanks

heard the chicks were much hotter at uconn ... you should probably reconsider.

Well, I have a girl right now. But when/if we break up, I may take your advice because the ladies here are mostly horrendous looking.

Optimistic about the relationship, are we?

 

[sellmate]

Do you know a lot of people on this site? What's with saying we? Do you say we when referring to the Broncos? In my first foray into this site, it seems you think you have a lot of advice and knowledge for four years of experience. It just seems you think you know a lot for such little time on the job. I assume in four years you've been a lower end reporter for that entire time.

 

[Scribbled_Notz]

I think this all depends on what kind of internship ties a school has. Northwestern and Missou for example, are very strong. If the J-school doesn't work hard to get the recruiters in to interview potential intern candidates, that's a red flag. If my kid was choosing a school for journalism, I would have them ask three things:

1. What is the reputation of the student newspaper?
2. How many J school students landed internships in the previous few years?
3. How many journalism recruiters made on-site visits for interviews the previous year?

Personally, I chose a school with a top 10 J school, but it didn't end up being worth ****. The professors were all very dated or poorly qualified (one of them had the bulk of his experience at a F'ing community weekly!) and they rarely gave good advice when it came to landing a job. My saving grace was the student newspaper. I arrived at a time when we had a very, very strong junior and senior class working at the paper, and they showed me the ropes and explained how to get a job when I graduated.

Looking back, I learned 95-percent of my journalism skills at the student paper and the three internships I landed while in school.

 

[audreyld]

Do you know a lot of people on this site? What's with saying we? Do you say we when referring to the Broncos? In my first foray into this site, it seems you think you have a lot of advice and knowledge for four years of experience. It just seems you think you know a lot for such little time on the job. I assume in four years you've been a lower end reporter for that entire time.

One week and three posts in and you're picking fights. Lay off.