Journalism in the 21st Century

When I told my brother last night that a local restaurant and bar reminded me of a pub I'd find in Ealing or anywhere in West London, "except then people spoke with American accents," he quipped with a laugh: "Including YOU!" He knows how to get my goat. He knows that my 14 months in jolly old England affected me in many ways including how I communicate. I wrote my dissertation in British English, receiving a mark just four points shy of distinction. I am rather proud of this. Yet, those British words and phrases are not helping me here in Connecticut. Instead, I must reassimilate - a process I never hear anyone talk about! - and learn to love the way my fellow Americans speak. I was gone 14 months, as I said, and though I returned on various trips I was basically spared Trump nation-speak. So following please note I make no apologies for hating the following: 1. "You got this." - If Brits are saying this as well, I have not heard them, and every time ...

My advice: ** Business degree is ok, but if one decides to be some other kind of journalist, it won't necessarily help ** Best is a journalism degree from a prestigious school (NYU, Columbia, if that's possible) ** Get clips asap - even for free at the beginning, in areas that one wants to write on; try NOT to write for free, but a couple clips are ok ** Get an internship under one's belt right away ** Don't step on anyone's toes; burn any bridges - ever. This is a business full of huge egos. Make sure you're prepared to kiss a lot of behinds! ** Have a financial cushion; a second trick if you will (sales, financial analyst, etc.) to help you through the down times ** Learn a second language. At a recent networking event in Manhattan, one recruiter from a top wire service was desperate for someone who spoke Russian! ** Network but don't be a fool; it's important to help others but not at the expense of your own livelihood. Others may disagree, b...