Jobs I Would Like To Have

With two more years left of school, I can say I'm already looking for jobs. I'm saving every penny I can and doing everything I can to prepare myself for the harshness of the real world. Where there are jobs for Journalism B.A.s, I will have to go. I'm already worried that I won't be able to find work because my friends that are graduating this year are graduating into a struggling economy. However, if you're prepared and qualified then you should be able to find work. I'm a hard worker and take it as it comes to me. Having that said, here are the jobs I'd like to have and I'll be qualified to do with a B.A. in Journalism.

First and foremost, I would like a job as a news reporter. After all, this is the heart of true Journalism--going to the scene and talking to the sources, getting quotes and facts, and writing the story. I love the deadlines. Give me a deadline and I will meet it--every time. I suppose it's wired in me. While I'm just designing for my college paper this semester & last semester, I still have plenty of time here to write. I should be writing for Helium more than I am, and I also have a blog. Reporters, at most papers, start out at $50,000. Not too bad for going out in rain, snow and floods to get a story then going to the office to get it typed up. They have a tough, really rough job but I would be up to the challenges it presents each day.

For about 14 months now, I have been a Freelance Writer. The salary? Not nearly what I have expected, but honestly--this job pays what you put into it. Sorry, boss--I've shown up late for work, skipped a few days and slept in. However, I do end up coming back! If I set myself a realistic goal each month that I could meet, this freelancing could take off. However, I'm up against 2 part-time jobs and 16 hrs of classes (not to mention all the homework that NEVER ENDS!!!) When I find time to sleep, I take advantage of it. However, I do love Helium.com and I think I will always be here.

Next, I think I could find satisfaction in becoming a researcher. I love digging into libraries and seeing what I can find. My organization techniques could be sharpened, but that wouldn't take long to perfect. I can find many things on the Internet in databases including files such as books, journals and magazines. It'd be useful to get to know other research techniques by working with a research assistant. I'm not sure I would look to this as a "permanent" career, but as a temporary one to sharpen my skills as a reporter and journalist. Anything I can do to benefit my career I will take into consideration.

What I really like to do is to design newspaper pages. I have always been really good with computers for about 15 years now, and I know many different Windows platforms. I know several software programs, including Mac software such as InDesign and Photoshop. I have designed pages all year for my college paper, and I think I'd enjoy doing this for a career. We should see how this plan turns out as I get closer to my graduation. I could literally end up anywhere in the United States and while this is exciting, this is very scary.

The one that I would like to have, that may be the toughest and compelling yet, is that of a copyeditor. This is what I do for my college newspaper, but I realize on-the-job in the real world I will have to be more skilled in style, grammar and punctuation. Don't underestimate what I'm saying, please. I'm great at all those (except for perhaps style). My handwriting is excellent, and I hardly ever misspell a word. However, copyeditors have to know everything and make sure everything is flawless. In the end, they still make mistakes simply because they are humans, too. This would not be one of my favorite jobs, but I could do it if I had to at a paper.

When I get into the real world, opportunities will be endless. I could be a technical writer, grant writer, or fiction writer. I could go into several editor positions once I'm into the magazine or newspaper industry long enough. I have the advance of living in a time when a woman has the right to get an education--a college education. Furthermore, for most of it I have paid my way through. I just paid my own laptop and my parents are only helping on my financial aid forms. My two jobs pay for everything I need and once I'm out of school, I'll look back and say it was worth it.