Q: I love your blog and it's helped me put a lot of things in perspective. I figure that you could help me with my latest dilemma.
I am 19 years old and have aspired to be a journalist since I was a little kid. I graduated from high school and went to college for one semester as a journalism major but dropped out because of money issues. I had gone into school with an internship at a local newspaper I did during my senior year that lasted about six months. I worked at the student newspaper for a few months as well. I wrote an article every week and ended up with A LOT of clips. Well, in June, after working a few odd jobs and applying to a few schools I found an ad in my local newspaper (the same one I interned for) for a reporter. The only qualifications they listed were "quick thinking and decisive. Interest in words. Background in English."
So I applied to the job, expecting nothing but hoping for the best. A few weeks passed and a couple days ago I got a call from the editor of the paper and she asked me to come in for an interview. I came in, did it, and got the job. I'm thrilled but I'm a little confused by the whole thing. The editor did say that my cover letter impressed her and my clips impressed her because I know how to write a good lead. I also told her that although I'm not in school right now I do plan on getting a degree.
My question is: How do I show everyone in the office that I'm the real deal? I know that I'm in this for the long haul and am willing to do whatever I need to. I'm just nervous that I won't be taken seriously by my colleagues because of my lack of experience, lack of high education and my age. Any advice is appreciated.
Jackie
A: Congratulations! This is fairly amazing. I'd be nervous, too.
You've shown one person -- the editor -- that you're the real deal. That must count for something. Here's how to show the others.
- Work hard. A lack of experience can be overcome with earnest effort.
- Ask questions. You know you have much to learn. So do the others. Enlist their help.
- Learn from your mistakes. You're bound to make a lot of them. Learn from each one and never make the same mistake twice.
- Be yourself. Bluffing doesn't work in a newsroom.
- Act and dress professionally. If you don't want to be taken for a kid, conduct yourself professionally -- without any of that bluffing.
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