We Want Media

Before our blog gets “put on ice” now that the semester is ending, I’d like to offer some parting advice. Perhaps to no surprise, I strongly recommend that each of you start your own blog.

Paul Steiger, the managing editor of the Wall Street Journal, recently said that he advises young journalists at the beginning of their careers to get as much writing experience as possible. He said: “Write, write, write as much as you can.”

A perfect way to do that is to blog. Even if you have no interest in blogging and your goal is to work at a newspaper, a magazine or in television, a blog can be an ideal platform for showcasing your best writing and help market yourself as “with it” Internet-wise.

If I wanted to be a sports writer, I’d start a blog about sports and geek out on the subject -- posting my own sports commentary, linking to my favorite sports blogs, interviewing sports figures and sports writers. You could also post your favorite writing samples and a copy of your resume, creating a live, always-current online portfolio. Many blog software programs will allow you to do this for free.

Guest speaker Ana Marie Cox told us about how as a beginning journalist she sent out several pitches to publications but got no offers. She started her own blog, which led to her high-profile position at the blog Wonkette, and later to her current job at Time.com. Recent NYU J-grad Everett Bogue told us he believes that the blog he created after graduation helped him to land his new full-time job at New York magazine.

You've already scored some major achievements on this blog by breaking news and attracting links from top blogs like TechCrunch, DailyKos, Huffington Post, Andrew Sullivan, Romenesko, Gawker, and Jossip. GigaOM described Andrea as a future “great blogger” for her post about Rolling Stone’s plan to start an online social network. Kristen’s report about NBC news anchor Brian Williams’ visit to NYU became the talk of the blogosphere, according to Eat the Press.

Another guest speaker, former Seventeen editor Atoosa Rubenstein, told us that while this is a time of many challenges in media, you should look at these challenges as opportunities. That probably sounds like vague, graduation-speech happy talk, but it’s true. Look at what bloggers like Engadget’s Peter Rojas have accomplished from their inventiveness, talent and hard work.

Many of you saw Atoosa as an inspiring figure from her achievements at a young age in the magazine world. But in today’s Internet-driven media environment, it’s entirely possible that the next Atoosa will emerge on the Web.

When one of you becomes the first blogging billionaire, don’t forget you have my e-mail address.

My only other advice: Use spell check more often. It’s only one button to press.