Joe Grimm's News Jobs Café: Ask the recruiter

Transfering During Grad School?

Q: Just read your Q & A on the master's-while-working question. I hope you'll take the question a bit further.

I, too, am looking toward teaching college journalism once I've tired of the grind, and have begun to inquire about pursuing a master's for that purpose one class at a time. However, I've been told I'll probably have to find one grad program at one school and complete it there, over a period of years.

You certainly know how transient reporters can be. Is there a way to get a master's without having to commit to one city for the years it takes to complete that degree?

  Thanks,

B.D.

A: Universities are less willing to accept transfer credits in graduate programs than they are in the undergraduate programs. When they put their seal of approval on a graduate, they want to have done the schooling.

You have options:

• Look for the graduate programs that can be completed the fastest. Columbia and the University of Illinois can be done in a year. The new program at City University of New York takes three semesters, full-time. The University of California-Berkeley takes two years.
• Take more than one course at a time and take them year-round.
• Resolve to stay put until you graduate -- or to move only to towns that accept a lot of transfer credits -- and do it when you can still transfer them.

Becoming a Journalism Prof?

Q: I was wondering how journalism schools go about picking who to gets to join their faculty. As a young, aspiring journalist with only about two years of experience under my belt, I doubt that I'd be given the opportunity to teach journalism. That being said, I might be interested in doing so down the road when I gain more experience.

Do you think that possessing a master's degree in journalism or communications would improve a person's chances of landing a teaching position in the journalism department of a college or university? It seems like the majority of journalism professors possess advanced degrees, which I suppose isn't unusual because an M.A. or a Ph.D. is essentially a prerequisite for academic employment.

Vincent

A: I asked people in three different programs and across the board they said that a person in your position should begin making plans to get a Ph.D. Each of the three had distinguished print or broadcast careers before they went into academia.

Arlene Morgan, associate dean at the Columbia Universi:  Graduate School of Journalism: "For the most part, journalism schools and schools of communication with a journalism division require a master's or Ph.D. with a combination of some professional experience in journalism. Some schools offer professional track positions for people in the businees who have had outstanding careers.

"If you are serious about teaching someday, you should find a job as an adjunct, either assisting a full-time faculty member or running your own course. Adjuncts don't make much money, but it is a good way to find out if you like teaching and working with students who are pretty raw. It's also the most direct way to get the school acquainted with your skills. If you like teaching and don't have an advanced degree, it would be a smart idea to pursue one so that if a tenure or professional track position opens, you would be qualified for consideration. I also recommend finding a book or research project that advances some area of journalism scholarship. That is essential. Knowledge of the craft across all the platforms of print and electronic would also be helpful since so many schools expect teachers to be literate in convergence."

Loren Ghiglione, former dean of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University: "In this world of credentials, a Ph.D. counts more than a master's degree. But at the best journalism schools, those that put a priority on reporting and writing, a talented professional/teacher with only a master's (even a bachelor's) still can find a home. Tomorrow, however, I suspect a Ph.D. will be even more important than it is today.

Mike Lewis, my boss at Oakland University where I am an adjunct: "One of my mentors told me that a Ph.D. is essentially 'a union card for universities.' It's true. Just as a carpenter may not get a job without his union card, a teacher won't get a tenure-track university appointment without a Ph.D. (unless their experience is truly world-class).

"Most universities require at least a master's degree, and preferably a Ph.D., for full-time faculty positions. They want a person who has practical experience, but also has knowledge of theory, teaching methods and scholarly research."

Note: "Ask the Recruiter" is moving to Poynter's new Career Center. The new home is here. Don't forget to change your bookmark.

Journalism Masters for International Student?

Q: I'm an undergraduate journalism senior in Brazil, and I wish to complete my education with a master's program in the US. But I have absolutely no idea of which are the best journalism schools in USA. I've looked into a few universities -- like Columbia, Syracuse and Missouri-Columbia -- but I'm quit lost. Which ones would you recommend?

Gabriela Lessa

A: Your question does not have a simple answer.

All the programs you mention are good -- and there are many others, besides, but choosing the best will depend on your interests, your finances and certain intangibles such as how well the program fits you.

You can check out the first two areas online. Begin by visiting the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication's list of graduate programs. Consider whether you are looking for a practical, skills-oriented program or something theoretical. It makes a difference whether you are a visual journalist or a writer/editor.

One more major consideration: If you plan to work in the United States for more than a year after you receive your post-graduate degree, you will need to obtain a work visa. Many, many international students find themselves in a bind after they receive their graduate degrees and have to return to their home countries prematurely because they cannot find employers. Begin researching visas at the U.S. Department of State.

You have a lot of research to do.

Note: "Ask the Recruiter" is moving to Poynter's new Career Center. The new home is here. Don't forget to change your bookmark.

Work or School?

Q: My husband recently became the news & opinion editor at a small daily. He also contributes critical pieces and features for the arts section. His salary is very low (27K) and there is not much potential for growth in that area but he loves the freedom and outlet he has in writing and being published consistently.

We are considering a move next month so that he can get his BA, which he never completed. His knowledge gained through self-education surpasses that of the many college graduates I know by a long shot and he is consistently told by readers that he is the best thing the paper has as far as writers go. He is eager to earn a degree and we feel it could expedite his career to return to school full time, achieve the degree as soon as possible and make connections in an area that has more potential for a newpaper career.

However, we also feel he is very lucky to have broken into the field without a degree and he might benefit even more from building up more experience here (he's only been there 9 months so far) -- keeping up his career momentum -- and then tr ying to get better position somewhere else while getting his degree from a local, less challenging college on a part-time basis. He is in his early 40's and just found his talent and desire for writing within the past five years or so. Can you give me your opinion on going back to school vs. staying put, as far as moving his career forward?

Waiting

A: I hear a lot of compelling reasons for moving and not too many for staying. It sounds as though you like the area where the university is more than where you are, that your husband feels he should make more money and that there is a small window right now for him to return to school to get the degree before another year goes by.

Ideally, the degree will help him re-enter in a higher orbit.

Journalism Program for Foreign Reporting?

Q: I am still in high school, but it's about the time for me to start looking into colleges. I want to be a journalist, more specifically, a journalist that reports on international affairs for a print newspaper or magazine. My dilemma is that I am unsure about what I should get my degrees in. Most likely, I will be graduating college with my associate's degree.

My parents approve of and will pay for me to go all the way to my master's, so I will, of course, be taking advantage of their generosity. Now, I am unsure of my majors. Should I major in journalism for my bachelor's and my master's, or should I major in something to widen my understanding of reporting on international affairs, then switch to a school like Columbia and major in journalism only for my masters? Would not having my undergrad in journalism even get me into Columbia? Well, any advice you can give me would be geatly appreciated! Thanks.

Chelsea

A: Yea, Mom and Dad! I'm sure they can't think of a better person to help.

You plan ahead and that will help you. But let's  look at how many print newspapers and magazines are posting people overseas. The number is shrinking. As you are almost eight years away from completing a master's degree, I suggest you recalibrate your plans to take into account where you think they'll be in eight years.

Consider two options: multimedia reporting and financial journalism. The first would put you more in synch with where the successful print publications will be in eight years. The second would give you more options for landing an international reporting job.

Now, then, about the degrees. I would not get two of the same thing. It matters little which is the journalism degree. But it is essential that you begin practicing journalism -- on school papers and summer internships -- as soon as possible. Having good internships can matter every bit as much as the unoversity on the sheepskin. For a second major, I would look at a content area that will help your reporting.

Columbia seems to admit a mix of people who are serious about journalism. Some demonstrate that with an undergraduate journalism degree. Others do it with experience.

Political science degree and journalism?

Q: I'm aspiring to be a government reporter at the state level or in DC, if such an opportunity were to arise. I have a BA in journalism but I was thinking of getting a second BA while I continued working in political science. Do you think a degree in poli sci would be a significant factor for an employer looking for a government or poltical reporter?

Thanks,

Chris

A: I see that you're already a reporter at a daily. That helps. If you get embroiled in a master's program, you'll lose your mobility just at a time when you're looking to move. I would nudge my daily work as far as I could into government and politics, keep looking for a job elsewhere and save grad school for when you've landed where you can stay for a few years. With any luck, that newspaper will have a tuition reimbursement program.

Timing on new job?

Q: I notice in your blog you use the term "live job ad." What precisely does that mean? Is it common for a company to put a job ad out during a hiring freeze (say, as a Tribune paper may be doing now) with no immediate intention of filling that position?

Perhaps they're looking to fill a position when things start looking up again and they just want to get it out there that they're looking?

Also, I am in a situation right now where I'm a master's student in the middle of a joint masters program (journalism and Latin American Studies).  The way I've got my studies structured, I could walk out of grad school right now and still have a master's degree of some kind. If I stay on till May, I finish the journalism side and get my joint masters (I'd also have three quality magazine-length articles to boot, would have experience working with Flash, Dreamweaver and HTML, and gotten a year's experience working for an NPR affiliate). I did this intentionally -- if I can find an outstanding reporting job somewhere then I can leave to take it and still have something to show for it. I'm trying to avoid taking the first thing that comes up in the summertime.

But I haven't had to bridge this topic to an employer yet. My school has recruiters visit from some pretty great papers -- if I sat down and spoke with one of them about possibly working there, and things go well and they ask me to interview, and then when I could start, I figured I would just tell them the truth, that:

a) I do have a master's degree, but
b) am still in my graduate program, and
c) would be willing to start work ASAP if necessary.

The only downside I can see with that is that they may end up thinking that I'm wasting either my time or their time or both. It may also send the message to the potential employer that I have a problem with commitment.

How should I handle this?

Grad student

A: Thanks for the question. The second part of it helps me answer the first. I was probably being redundant when I wrote "live job ad." Ads are generally for real positions. Many, many editors post only when they want to attract candidates. We do, however, go to job fairs and campus interviews even when we have no immediate openings.

If you get into a conversation about starting times with an editor, be honest. That is almost always the best policy. Say, "My calendar is more flexible than you might expect. I would be happy to come work for you now and would still be meeting my academic goals. If nothing turns up till later, I am in a good place in school and can continue my studies till May. While my education is certainly important -- it brought me to where I am today -- the career is No. 1 for me now and I have built a program that puts my career first."

Is lack of degree stopping me?

Q: I appreciate all of the information you provide at both the Free Press' job site and in your blog. Here's my question:

I have more than 16 years of newspaper experience, starting a year out of high school as a part-timer at 18 years old and going full-time two years later. I'm now working at my fourth newspaper, with a daily circulation of about 70,000. I've been here for six years and I'm looking to move on, up to a larger paper.

Do I realistically have a chance at making it even in the door at a larger paper considering my lack of a college degree? I've been working on an associate's degree in the past year, but not in mass communications.

I should note that in the past six years I've had interviews at three larger papers and the Associated Press, so I've had some success in at least getting interviewed.

Thanks.

Michael

A: Your problem is not your lack of a college degree. Your experience should more than assure editors that you know what you're doing.

Get a degree if you want one, but don't expect it to dramatically improve your career prospects. Your chances -- and perhaps this missed opportunity -- are all tied up in the work you're doing, the way you interview and the strength of your competition.

Bachelor's or master's?

Q: Thanks for your site, it is a lifesaver and a great read. I have a question regarding possible routes for journalism. I graduated eight months ago with a bachelor's degree in political science and sociology. After I graduated, I realized I would like to pursue a career in print journalism. I am currently in graduate school seeking a graduate certificate in urban planning.

I am planning to be a reporter for the university paper in the fall.

I am wondering if I would be better off getting a second undergraduate degree in journalism or pursuing a master's in journalism? Do newspapers look down on entry-level reporters with graduate degrees, or does it really not matter?

Thanks for your site and your time, I hope to hear from you soon!

Ryan

A: Without a doubt: get experience and, pursue a master's in journalism, rather than a second bachelor's.

A person in your situation -- making a transition -- can make good use of a master's degree.

Good luck.

What did I miss, not going to J-school?

I'm a reporter with about seven years of experience and two non-J bachelor degrees. Periodically, I wonder what I missed from skipping J-school entirely, and I search the Web for advice about journalism grad school. I found these sites that might be interesting to your other readers (and that have nothing to do with ring tones):

A copy (the site claims with permission) of a story in The New Republic called "J-School Ate My Brain," and a rebuttal letter to the editor:
http://www.uvm.edu/~tstreete/MediaCultureUVM/jschool_critique.html

Here's a link to a May Washington Post chat from the paper's AME for training and development Peter Perl:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2006/05/18/DI2006051 801378.html

Apologies if you've already linked to one or both of these sites.

I'm actually not currently looking for a job, but your site was great inspiration for my getting my current one six months ago. Thanks for all you do!

VB

And thanks to you for pitching in with some help for others!

I am sure that you missed some good J-school lessons -- but you broaden your paper more by bringing in two non-journalism degrees.