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When people graduate from college, they often are disillusioned with thoughts that they will break into the career of their choice within a couple of months. The reality is, life doesn't usually work that way, and the field of journalism is no exception.

No matter where you go, you need "experience". One might think that a college education should be experience enough, but the job market is very competitive. The student who wrote for the school newspaper will have an edge over the student who just concentrated on their studies. The student who did an internship at a newspaper company will stand out over the student who wrote for the school newspaper. Simply put, you have to be one step above the rest.

I happened to be the student who concentrated on her studies. I also had a job, so my plate was full as it was. But I figured everything would work out once I had my diploma. I thought wrong.

In order to break into the field of journalism, I had to develop my experience. I started off by taking a free course offered by a local newspaper. I felt very proud when I received my little diploma, but this was not enough.

The next step I had to take was to build up my portfolio. The teacher of that journalism class, who was also an editor, said "the most important thing you can have when trying to obtain a job in journalism is an array of good clips." Since I wasn't a printed journalist just yet, I had to find some other way to get my writing published.

That is when I found Helium.com. I wrote many articles for the Web site, building up a great variety of clips to put in my portfolio while producing front page worthy material. I also managed to write for two other Web sites, Associatedcontent.com and Dooyoo.com. And I didn't just stop there. When Helium presented the Write and Win contest in Spring 2007, I took full advantage. I wrote my rear off until I finally achieved second place. For that accomplishment, an article was written about me in the local paper. So not only did I have clips from Helium, but I had a clip about me to show potential employers. From there I was even a featured writer in one of Helium's newsletters.

So by the time my next interview rolled around, I was prepared. And it paid off. I impressed a managing editor from the Community Newspaper Company, and am now an editorial assistant and reporter for weekly publications.

No doubt this job will even further propel me into the journalism field as well. I report, do page layouts for the Arts section, publish articles to our newspapers Web sites, strengthened my skills writing in AP style, some photography, and have just gotten a well-rounded education on what it's really like having a career in journalism.

When it all comes down to it, you need experience. No matter how you get it, just get it. Call your local newspaper companies to see if they are offering any internships, or if they need any freelance writers. One thing a journalist inevitably learns is to be persistent. Breaking into the field of journalism requires just that...Persistence.

Learn more about this author, Kelly A. Mello.
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