The old adage, “It’s not what you know, but who you know,” was the precursor to today’s “networking.”

Although, what you know is paramount once the magic of networking paves the way. With the deluge of applications publishers sift through for every job opening, the aspiring Journalist needs an edge. One significant advantage is a well-constructed network of professional and personal contacts.

The Colorado Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists acknowledges the difficulties Journalism graduates face in today’s job market and strives to alleviate some stress by providing access to SPJ resources.

As Ed Otte, the President of the Colorado SPJ, states, “Finding a job when he was starting out as a young graduate was not as difficult because there were more publications.”

A statement seeming to fuel the belief that Journalism is on the decline and opportunities do not exist for the young Journalist with fewer print newspapers and the rise of internet news sources.

Otte’s responds to the critics with, “Someone has to write the internet content.”

SPJ’s 9000 members nationwide would agree with this assessment and join SPJ to support one another and encourage those at the starting gate.

Support comes in the form of SPJ events held throughout the year to help students find their way through the labyrinth to gainful employment as a journalist.

With this mission in mind, the Colorado SPJ held a Job Fair at the Denver Press Club beneath the watchful eyes of framed caricatures of  Denver Journalism icons above interview tables. It was a fitting venue for the event which focused on undergraduates seeking Journalism internships and May graduates, looking for employment.

Thirty-five eager students were ushered from table to table where editors or hiring agents from publications such as the Denver Post and Rocky Mountain PBS I-News, explained their publication’s hiring policies, reviewed resumes and offered advice ranging from resume restructuring and interviewing tips to providing helpful referrals.

Even if the students did not receive a job offer or internship, the event gave them valuable interview experience and forged relationships with the publications present. The thirty-five students are no longer just a faceless name on a resume.  Beyond the Denver job fair, SPJ supports young journalist by providing local and national networking opportunities, ready guidance from veteran journalists, a national job bank, and many instructional opportunities both online and at sponsored events.

Joining the SPJ is a strategic career move for the undergraduate or graduating Journalism student. Membership allows the student to be part of the nationwide community with the resources to make a career in Journalism a reality.
Student rates are available and applicable for three years after graduation.

For more information: https://www.spj.org.