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You gotta walk before you can run, you know? Spend a couple of months dedicated to finding the best internship possible – preferably one that's paying. The bigger and better the reputation of the company, the further you'll start ahead when you're looking for a full-time, salaried gig. Most companies go on to hire from their intern pool. If you can't get a full-time paying gig initially, consider an internship to get your foot in the door. A great way to build up your portfolio and to get your fingers into a lot of pies is to do freelance writing. There are hundreds of websites out there that are constantly looking for good material. Why shouldn't it be from you? You will have to pitch ideas to various editors; they won't be handed to you. Find out the name of the editor of the department you want to work for, and shoot them an email. Link them to some of you work and give them a full-fledged picture of what you want to write. If the bait is good, they'll bite. And that's money in your pocket and possibly a byline for your name. Being a reporter anymore does not mean just writing. It means having a website, designing your blog, making videos, and being present on online. You're not just a writer, you're your own brand. This is you making yourself a full-fledged force in the journalism community. It seems silly, but put effort into getting a following on Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and all those other trendy websites that show the world how popular you are. The wider your digital presence, the more you will be taken seriously. To round out your skillset, it's a good idea to do a bit of everything. It's not detracting from the job you want, it's ensuring you'll get it and keep it later. If an opportunity arises that involves photo, video, copy editing, marketing, or broadcasting, go for it. You're just making yourself more valuable to the organization you're working for now and any organization you'll work for in the future. At certain jobs, this will be requested of you. Many journalists find themselves in one department and end up helping out their coworkers in others. You could get asked to do a radio interview, fill in for a TV broadcaster, or edit some footage for a friend who's running behind. They're great opportunities to improve your skills. Now's the moment: you're officially a tried-and-true reporter. Even if it's for a town of 3,000 people, you're still a reporter. Now you get to sit back, drink your coffee at 10 o'clock at night, and shuffle around hysterically trying to meet that deadline. Ah, the dream. A good reporter has three kinds of source material: by researching the written record, interviewing those involved, and observing the events at hand. When at all possible, have all these sources available to make your news engaging and full of vivid detail. The most gigs are in concentrated, large urban areas. That means the easiest way to get the job of your dreams is to be in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, New York, London, Paris, or any other mecca of art and entertainment. While it's a good idea to start out small, know that you'll probably have to relocate at some point to truly do what you envision yourself doing. Some people do choose to start in these larger markets, and sometimes it works for them. If you have the money and the means, it's worth giving a shot – just know you're starting out against some of the fiercest competition in the world. The more and more experience you get, the wider and wider your reputation, and the bigger and more impressive your portfolio, the more and more doors will open for you. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither is your career. But with time, it will bloom. That is, it will bloom if you're constantly looking for opportunities. Always keep your eyes peeled for the next big story and for the next big story for you. Doors don't open themselves, you know. Opportunities have to be created.
Find an internship. Do some freelance writing. Keep up your digital presence. Dabble in editing and other related duties, too. Land a job at a newspaper, magazine, radio or TV station. Relocate to a larger market. Work your way up.