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The 2013 Columbia University journalism career expo was not unlike a speed-dating event. More than 300 graduate students, all clutching stacks of resumes and clips, cycled through interviews with long tables of potential recruiters. The sounding of a bell signaled the start of each 20-minute round.
This was the first year that Digital First Media had a table at the expo, which makes sense considering that as a company and brand, we are less than two years old. The event ran from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 30, at Columbia University’s Lerner Hall.
Representing DFM were myself and Tom Meagher, Thunderdome’s data editor. We met with around 25 journalism graduate students in seven hours. They had a variety of backgrounds, work experience and career aspirations. Most were enrolled in the full-time Master of Science program, which runs only 10 months.
“It’s intense,” said Ryan Book, 24, a print major due to graduate in late May. “They have you covering beats and turning in stories. When Sandy happened we were out there the next day.”
“Compared to going to school, looking for a job is quite fun,” he added.
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More than 300 Columbia University Journalism School masters students met with dozens of potential recruiters Saturday, March 30, at the school’s annual career expo.
Kaitlyn Wells, a print major from Houston, Texas, credited the school’s career services office with helping her prepare. Like many of her fellow students, she had enlisted their help to write her resume and had also taken advantage of interview coaching opportunities.
“I was extremely nervous but when I’m in the interview, I’m casual,” Wells said, adding that career services had advised her to “be comfortable and professional so you don’t get nervous and forget what to say. Have those answers in your back pocket.”
Tom and I each left with an armful of resumes and clips, which we’ll circulate with DFM’s editorial leadership. It was a long, exhausting day but we were both excited to meet so many talented and ambitious journalists. If their work is any indication, the next generation of journalists will be as impressive as any that have come before them.
