Graduating Journalism Majors May Find Tough Market

Human Element
Another set of journalism students are getting ready to head out into the real world and are looking for jobs. Now may not be the best time since the United States is in a recession, but work needs to be found. Soon-to-be graduate Heather Lawson is amongst this crowd.

Lawson has tried to do everything to boost her chances of standing out in the resume pool, but she thinks that she may not have done enough to ensure success.

“I’ve had three internships. I’m double majoring in public relations and non-profit management and am minoring in women’s studies,” Lawson explains. “I’m looking for a job now, so I can beat the rush after graduation.”

Lawson has had a couple of job offers, but they pay little more than the paid internship she held while in college. Still, there are a couple of months left before she graduates so she is hopeful something will come along soon.

“Luckily my mother helps me out a lot. Although, I don’t want to live with her forever,” Lawson jokes.

News/Impact
With the United States in recession, journalism majors may have some trials looking for employment after graduation.

According to the 2008 Annual Survey of Journalism and Mass Communication conducted by the University of Georgia, journalism graduates reported about a 14% decline in securing a job after their graduation. Advertising and public relation majors reported lower numbers indicating the job market in these areas are more prevalent.

Through their own study, The University of Oklahoma’s Career Services website also indicates the availability of public relations and advertising internships. Although numbers were down from the 2005-06 school year, public relations and advertising majors had more on-campus interviews than any other field in the journalism department in 2007. These results dramatically changed in 2008, when journalism majors were the most interviewed, increasing from 10 to 57 on-campus interviews.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics states the job markets in large metropolitan areas may be difficult to find due to the competition in these areas. They suggest that entry-level journalism majors may find more prospects in the small local newspaper market, which is just what some recent graduates are doing.

“Officially I’m a reporter with the Sapulpa Daily Herald,” said Angenene Kendrick, a 2009 public relations graduate from the University of Oklahoma. “But, I’m learning the production end and editorial.”

The University of Oklahoma reported big findings in their 2008 assessment. Almost 80% of graduates in 2002 and 2007 reported having a job involving communications.

Context
Last year, Forbes magazine reported Oklahoma as one of the recession proof cities, meaning good news for employers and employees in the state.

Forbes took their findings from a combination of median home prices, unemployment rates and past performance. Oklahoma City ranked the highest. With Oklahoma currently ranked at 17th in the nation’s unemployment rank according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the local cost of living is lower than most places in the United States.

Some companies are taking advantage of this situation.

“We are moving a lot of jobs from our home office in Omaha [Neb.] to our Oklahoma City office. The quality of people you can find for the lower wage is much better,” said Darren Mefford, the Oklahoma City site director at West Business Services. “We signed a new contract with our client, AT&T and are hiring for several teams in Oklahoma City.”

Some other job functions might be incredibly hit by the current economic situation.

Terry Neese Personnel, a local staffing service specializing in providing jobs in the legal profession is seeing a decline in law offices looking for staff.

“We’re just really slow right now,” explains Vicki Grider, Terry Neese marketing director.

People looking for jobs in this field are feeling the crunch too.

Job hunter, Katherine Elias, who recently moved to Oklahoma City from Dallas, Texas explains, “Lawyers are claiming they are losing money because no one is paying them for their legal services.”

Even though most journalists need experience to qualify for most major newspapers, some smaller newspapers are struggling with lower readership and advertising. The Oklahoma Press Association reported the closing of the Midwest City Sun after almost 30 years of production.

Stories like this could cause some concern for entry-level journalists looking for jobs. The good news reported by the University of Georgia study is for those who find jobs are not being paid less.

What’s Next
Journalism majors might need to practice some unconventional means when job hunting.

“We do get some event planning, public relations and marketing jobs through here sometimes,” explains Leigh Wright with Addison Staffing. “Not often though.”

Since experience is a big key to find a career in the journalism field, students should take advantage of the many internships offered through their college. In 2008, OU’s career services offered 931 internships and full time positions for journalism and mass communication majors.

“Most employers won’t even consider you if you have no experience. You’ll be offered an internship instead, usually this is non-paid. If you have to pay bills, this doesn’t work,” Lawson said.

Organization websites are also a good source for job hunters. Associations like the Public Relations Society of America [PRSA] and the Oklahoma Press Association have job search links that can help narrow down the focus.

“Join the PRSA and go to the meetings. That’s the best way to find out about jobs in the public relations field,” said Maria Kilroy, a 2008 graduate who landed a communication specialist job with Cox Communications. “If they don’t see you, they don’t know you and you’re competing for one job with 80 other people.”

The Gaylord College holds meeting for the student PRSA organization every Wednesday to help prepare students for their job hunt. Also, the various mass communication organizations support several workshops throughout the year to help build interviewing skills.

Career Services can be accessed through their website, hiresooner.com. Internship and job opportunities are listed on their website. Journalism majors can also contact Heather Spencer, the Careers and Internships Counselor for the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication at OU.