Comments on: If you're upgrading your writing career, j-school isn't the answer http://michellerafter.com/2009/01/27/if-youre-upgrading-your-writing-career-j-school-isnt-the-answer/#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feed Freelancing in the Digital Age Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:10:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Michelle Rafter http://michellerafter.com/2009/01/27/if-youre-upgrading-your-writing-career-j-school-isnt-the-answer/comment-page-1/#comment-852 Michelle Rafter Mon, 23 Feb 2009 19:23:22 +0000 http://michellerafter.wordpress.com/?p=1828#comment-852 Melissa: You've listed some great reasons for going to j-school, and I agree 100 percent that the decision mus be based on one's personal goals. I just don't think j-school is the only avenue, especially if someone already has some training and doesn't see academia or management in their immediate future. On the other hand, I could see how the current economic climate might make school an appealing option to pounding the pavement for a full-time news gig. Melissa: You’ve listed some great reasons for going to j-school, and I agree 100 percent that the decision mus be based on one’s personal goals. I just don’t think j-school is the only avenue, especially if someone already has some training and doesn’t see academia or management in their immediate future. On the other hand, I could see how the current economic climate might make school an appealing option to pounding the pavement for a full-time news gig.

]]> By: Melissa http://michellerafter.com/2009/01/27/if-youre-upgrading-your-writing-career-j-school-isnt-the-answer/comment-page-1/#comment-851 Melissa Mon, 23 Feb 2009 15:10:27 +0000 http://michellerafter.wordpress.com/?p=1828#comment-851 Hey everyone. I'm actually an MSJ student at Medill. Oddly enough, I'm not here because I want the typical news job...I think I want something more in the way of management/communications, but I thought I needed to understand the journalism business. I also wanted new media training, and I'm taking media management courses through the Kellogg business school. For me, graduate school was a good choice because in addition to (hopefully) getting ahead in my career, I hope to one day teach at a university. So I guess it's all about your own personal goals and what you want to do with your career. I'm lucky in that Medill allows me to sort of branch out and explore a lot of my interests, which is kind of what I wanted out of a j-school. Hey everyone. I’m actually an MSJ student at Medill. Oddly enough, I’m not here because I want the typical news job…I think I want something more in the way of management/communications, but I thought I needed to understand the journalism business. I also wanted new media training, and I’m taking media management courses through the Kellogg business school. For me, graduate school was a good choice because in addition to (hopefully) getting ahead in my career, I hope to one day teach at a university. So I guess it’s all about your own personal goals and what you want to do with your career. I’m lucky in that Medill allows me to sort of branch out and explore a lot of my interests, which is kind of what I wanted out of a j-school.

]]> By: Michelle Rafter http://michellerafter.com/2009/01/27/if-youre-upgrading-your-writing-career-j-school-isnt-the-answer/comment-page-1/#comment-850 Michelle Rafter Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:40:56 +0000 http://michellerafter.wordpress.com/?p=1828#comment-850 Good luck Kimberly. There are many opportunities for mid-career training that don't require going back for a full MA, hope you can take advantage of some of them. The best training, though, is to do lots and lots of writing. Good luck. Michelle R. Good luck Kimberly. There are many opportunities for mid-career training that don’t require going back for a full MA, hope you can take advantage of some of them. The best training, though, is to do lots and lots of writing. Good luck.

Michelle R.

]]> By: Kimberly Sallingboe http://michellerafter.com/2009/01/27/if-youre-upgrading-your-writing-career-j-school-isnt-the-answer/comment-page-1/#comment-849 Kimberly Sallingboe Wed, 11 Feb 2009 13:42:36 +0000 http://michellerafter.wordpress.com/?p=1828#comment-849 Thanks for the post. I just discovered your blog, but I'm already hooked. I have a BA in English and have often toyed with the idea of going back for my Masters in Journalism, basically for the same reasons you covered in your post: a desire for legitimacy, the need to be on equal-footing with the agencies I work with, etc. Now I'm trying to get serious about freelancing, after stumbling into it accidentally, and your blog provides a lot of helpful tips for us newbies. Thanks again. Thanks for the post. I just discovered your blog, but I’m already hooked. I have a BA in English and have often toyed with the idea of going back for my Masters in Journalism, basically for the same reasons you covered in your post: a desire for legitimacy, the need to be on equal-footing with the agencies I work with, etc. Now I’m trying to get serious about freelancing, after stumbling into it accidentally, and your blog provides a lot of helpful tips for us newbies. Thanks again.

]]> By: Michelle Rafter http://michellerafter.com/2009/01/27/if-youre-upgrading-your-writing-career-j-school-isnt-the-answer/comment-page-1/#comment-845 Michelle Rafter Wed, 28 Jan 2009 18:41:20 +0000 http://michellerafter.wordpress.com/?p=1828#comment-845 Good point Doreen - and all the more reason to have your portfolio posted somewhere online, be it at your own Website or blog or on the Website of a writers' association or group that provides such a service, like MediaBistro.com, Author's Guild, ASJA, FreelanceSuccess.com, etc. Good point Doreen – and all the more reason to have your portfolio posted somewhere online, be it at your own Website or blog or on the Website of a writers’ association or group that provides such a service, like MediaBistro.com, Author’s Guild, ASJA, FreelanceSuccess.com, etc.

]]> By: Doreen Howell http://michellerafter.com/2009/01/27/if-youre-upgrading-your-writing-career-j-school-isnt-the-answer/comment-page-1/#comment-848 Doreen Howell Wed, 28 Jan 2009 18:31:43 +0000 http://michellerafter.wordpress.com/?p=1828#comment-848 Yes. I agree. A writing portfolio covering the various styles you are interested in will take you where you want to go. Yes. I agree. A writing portfolio covering the various styles you are interested in will take you where you want to go.

]]> By: Michelle Rafter http://michellerafter.com/2009/01/27/if-youre-upgrading-your-writing-career-j-school-isnt-the-answer/comment-page-1/#comment-847 Michelle Rafter Wed, 28 Jan 2009 01:45:36 +0000 http://michellerafter.wordpress.com/?p=1828#comment-847 Programs differ. Some are tailored to people whose BAs were in a different subject & are learning journalism for the first time - those programs have lots of basic instruction on reporting, writing, etc., plus classes on ethics, etc. Others are heavier on research and journalism/communications theory and require students to do some type of thesis paper/project. Some are a blend of the two. Programs differ. Some are tailored to people whose BAs were in a different subject & are learning journalism for the first time – those programs have lots of basic instruction on reporting, writing, etc., plus classes on ethics, etc. Others are heavier on research and journalism/communications theory and require students to do some type of thesis paper/project. Some are a blend of the two.

]]> By: Stephanie http://michellerafter.com/2009/01/27/if-youre-upgrading-your-writing-career-j-school-isnt-the-answer/comment-page-1/#comment-846 Stephanie Wed, 28 Jan 2009 01:30:11 +0000 http://michellerafter.wordpress.com/?p=1828#comment-846 Just out of curiosity, what does the academic side of journalism entail? Is it similar to an MA in MassComm? Just out of curiosity, what does the academic side of journalism entail? Is it similar to an MA in MassComm?

]]> By: Michelle Rafter http://michellerafter.com/2009/01/27/if-youre-upgrading-your-writing-career-j-school-isnt-the-answer/comment-page-1/#comment-844 Michelle Rafter Tue, 27 Jan 2009 22:52:12 +0000 http://michellerafter.wordpress.com/?p=1828#comment-844 My thoughts exactly. Right out of college I felt like I needed the validation of a MA to be a real journalist. Although I had a good experience in grad school, I quickly realized what I really needed was the kind of on the job training that no school can give you. Michelle Rafter My thoughts exactly. Right out of college I felt like I needed the validation of a MA to be a real journalist. Although I had a good experience in grad school, I quickly realized what I really needed was the kind of on the job training that no school can give you.

Michelle Rafter

]]> By: stephanerd http://michellerafter.com/2009/01/27/if-youre-upgrading-your-writing-career-j-school-isnt-the-answer/comment-page-1/#comment-843 stephanerd Tue, 27 Jan 2009 22:42:02 +0000 http://michellerafter.wordpress.com/?p=1828#comment-843 Great post Michelle! After getting our undergraduate degrees, many friends and acquaintances started looking at grad school, some as a continuation of their education...some because they still felt directionless... To me, grad school has never seemed necessary. Why get a degree to write, when I've already been writing for years!? With determination and initiative, fledgling writers can get pretty far, without spending thousands of dollars for an M.A. or M.F.A. Research, networking, pitching...the occasional continuing education course...I've always thought it best to learn by doing. Great post Michelle! After getting our undergraduate degrees, many friends and acquaintances started looking at grad school, some as a continuation of their education…some because they still felt directionless…

To me, grad school has never seemed necessary. Why get a degree to write, when I’ve already been writing for years!?

With determination and initiative, fledgling writers can get pretty far, without spending thousands of dollars for an M.A. or M.F.A. Research, networking, pitching…the occasional continuing education course…I’ve always thought it best to learn by doing.

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