AAJA Seattle student summer updates

In today’s recovering job market, I know firsthand as a recent graduate how competitive the news industry has been. So it is great to hear how fellow AAJA Seattle student members are still able to land opportunities in journalism.

Rachel Solomon is a print reporter turned radio broadcast journalist who was recently hired as a morning news producer for 97.3 KIRO FM.

Solomon received a Bachelor’s in Communication from the University of Washington in June where she spent time writing for the college’s student newspaper, The Daily. Her interest in radio led Solomon to produce a monthly This American Life-inspired radio podcat focusing on campus-life.

Her work has ended up in The Seattle Times, National Native News, KUOW, KPLU and KPBCS.

Listen to episodes of Solomon’s program “The Bark & The Bite” online.

Joanna Nolasco snagged an internship this summer at The Oregonian covering Washington County news after spending six months interning for The Seattle Times.

Nolasco was the recipient of the 2011 Northwest Journalists of Color Scholarship. The NJC scholarship program awards students in Washington state demonstrating talent and commitment in journalism.

She has also interned for The Cambodia Daily in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in the summer of 2010.

Nolasco studies Journalism and Political Science at the University of Washington and is expected to graduate in 2012.

News writer job position open

POSITION POSTING

TITLE: News Writer

STATION: KING 5 TV

DEPARTMENT: News

STATUS: Regular Full Time

Brief Description of Duties

We’re looking for a creative news writer who will write accurate, engaging news stories, edit video bumps, voice-overs and voiceovers-to-sound using desktop editing; contact sources by phone; assist producers in managing scripts, live shots, video, and supers for the newscast; produce cut-ins and content on tickers. Must also be able to fill in for show producers as needed. This shift is for the weekday morning newscasts.

Qualifications

College degree with minimum two years’ television news writing experience with show producing experience preferred. Must have excellent writing skills with the ability to write to video, good command of English, detail oriented, good computer skills, ability to multi-task and gather accurate information quickly, and demonstrated ability to work in a team environment and under time pressure deadlines.

KING TV is a subsidiary of Belo Corp. Belo is one of the top media companies in the country and provides a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance and 401(k).

If qualified, please send a copy of your resume, and a cover letter, via email to hr@king5.com or mail to:

HUMAN RESOURCES #K09R15

KING 5 TELEVISION

333 DEXTER AVE. N.

SEATTLE, WA 98109

King 5 Television is an equal opportunity employer

M/F/D/V

What news recruiters look for in student-journalists

The following is a cross-posted entry written by Yong Kyle Kim, a student AAJA Seattle member.

Many of the top U.S. news organizations attended the AAJA 2009 National Convention job fair in Boston.

Since it’s not everyday student journalists get the opportunity to talk to editors and recruiters from the Washington Post, New York Times, CNN, USA Today and others, I took the liberty to ask some of them a simple question: what is the most important thing your news company looks for when a student journalist hands in an application for your internship program?

A recruiter from The Washington Post talks to a student journalist during the AAJA 2009 National Convention job fair in Boston
Here are their answers:

The knowledge to shoot and edit video, adapt and edit fast.
– Chona Camomot, multimedia producer for the Boston Globe.

At least one or two previous internship experience.
– Xavier Williams, human resources director for the Associated Press.

Enthusiasm, passion, and knowledge in technical skills and software proficiency.
– Corinne Perkins, editor for Reuters.

At least two years of hands on experience and multiple internships. Being able to tell the news on all platforms.
– Brooke Camp, recruiter for CNN.

Balance between journalism and knowledge of the financial world. Know the finance business and be able to tell it in a interesting way.
– Felise Matlock, human resources director for CNBC.

Ability and proficiency in telling stories on multiple platforms. Being well-rounded.
– Sara Goo, web editor for the Washington Post.

Enthusiasm, passion, skills and potential.
– Catalina Camia, Washington editor for USA Today (and former AAJA president).

Skills Focus, demonstrating a focus of interest and multiple internships. A strong emphasis in multimedia.
– Brent Jones, standards and recruitment editor for USA Today.

Journalists in jeopardy: the cost of international reporters

The following is a crosspost written by Yong Kyle Kim, a student AAJA Seattle member.

If a magic genie appeared and granted me any job I desired, I would ask to be an international reporter.

The mix of adventure, excitement and danger with a focus on international issues just sounds so perfect.

Thursday’s morning plenary session at the AAJA 2009 National Convention in Boston addressed the various aspects of international journalism.

And with the recent events of journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling‘s release from North Korea (which they sent a short little video thanking AAJA for their efforts) has led me and others to rethink how reporters are putting their life on the line. They risk themselves for the sake to create compelling news in places where free press is not a guaranteed right. And not only that, the landscape of international reporting is changing.

“The Web opens the door to a new generation of journalists,” Juju Chang, ABC News correspondent said in a panel with two other journalists with experience in international reporting.

Many international reporters today work as mobile journalists – a “one-man band in the finest sense,” she said in the context of ABC’s program.

But this shift from established foreign bureaus to solo backpack journalism is something that is happening more often – especially with the financial state of news organizations.

So international reporters lose a network and safety net of an established bureau. What’s a gain?

“It is a tremendous opportunity to cover stories that won’t normally get covered,” Chang said.

So with the future of international reporting possibly going under reinvention, what should journalists who are seeking to report abroad do? Roxana Saberi, Iranian-American journalist who was arrested in Iran this January and released in May, tells AAJA members five useful tips:

1. If you want to freelance internationally, pick a country with fewer journalists.

2. Know how to tell stories in multiple mediums

3. Become a part of the language and culture. And familiarize yourself with the legal system of the host country.

4. Balance pressures between the press, host government, your boss and self conscience.

5. Have a go-to person. A friend or family member who can check in everyday to make sure you are safe and out of danger.