Newspaper internship or job?

Q: I just recently wrapped up a hell of a three-month internship at a 75,000 daily. I got an opportunity to do a lot, in sports as well as features and news, everyone was very supportive, and the editors and I collaborated closely when my stories were edited.

I had previously had trouble getting internships earlier in my career, so I just freelanced. I am the head sports writer for our campus weekly, and also did stringer work for a small daily nearby

My question is that since I am about to graduate and have bills (student loans, etc.) I will need to pay, would it be best if I try for another internship at a big gun (like the Free Press) or just shoot for a full-time job at a mid-sizer after graduation?

Also, when talking to sports editors for a writing position, should I list the fact that I play football in college, or is it really irrelevant? I would think that it could only help.

Christian

A: Congratulations!

And now it's time to pay the bills ... Wehere newspapers are concerned, you can actually find some internships that pay better than some newspapers' jobs. They key question, though, will not be who is paying the most, but what is available to tyou. It sounds as though you're fraduating in December. There can be no good in waiting around till summer to do an internship, so I would be looking for a job orinternship that will start soon after you graduate. In many cases, internships are offered with much more lead time than jobs, and they tend to happen much more frequently in the summer. For a winter graduation, search for jobs and internships simultaneously.

And I'd add the bit about being a player. It shouldn't hurt and might help.