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Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION 
1. Considering a Career in Media or Communications 
What Are the Trends and Career Opportunities in Media and Communications? 
Trends in Media and Communications 
Opportunities in Media and Communications 
What Are Employers Looking for? 
Where Do Recruiters Find Qualified Candidates? 

2. Where the Jobs Are 
Six Common Media Job Types 
Media and Communications Industries 
Related Industries 
Eight Common Media Business Areas 
Advertising 
Institutional Communications and Training (Corporate, Government, Nonprofits) 
Magazine Publishing 
Online/Apps/Mobile Media 
Radio Industry 
Television Industry 
Video Games 
Video Production Company 

3. Preparing for a Career in Media 
 1. Start Career Planning Early 
 2. Keep a Notebook or Journal 
 3. Be a Critical Consumer 
 4. Learn to Network 
 5. Start a Professional Contact List 
 6. Be a History Buff
 7. Learn as Much as You Can about Computers and Software
 8. Become a Research and Job-Search Expert 
 9. Learn to Speak and Write a Foreign Language 
 10. Take a Business Course 
 11. Write Your Ideal Résumé 
 12. Write a Real Résumé and Cover Letter, and Have Both Ready at All Times 
 13. Keep a Portfolio 
 14. Create a Personal Web Page and Social Media Presence 45
 15. Clean Up Your Online Life 

4. Getting Started in Your Search 
 16. Learn the Terminology 
 17. Team Projects Yield Team Players 
 18. Promote Yourself without Being Obnoxious
 19. Join a Professional Organization 
 20. Volunteer 
 21. Conduct a Personality Assessment and Develop Your Skill Set
 22. Attend Career Workshops and Fairs 
 23. Surf the Net (and Bookstores) for Inspiration 
 24. Seek an Internship . . . or Two or Three 
 25. Get a Part-Time Job in Your Field 
 26. Get Over Your Fear of the Cold Call 
 27. Set Up Informational Interviews 
 28. Use Class Assignments as Opportunities to Meet Leaders in Your Field 
 29. Learn about the Company Before You Ask for the Job 

5. Succeeding Once You’re In (Your Internship or First Job)
 30. Read What the Pros Read 
Sample Headlines 
A. Newspapers (print and online) 
B. Business and General-Interest Magazines 
C. Industry and Trade Publications 
D. Online News Web Sites 
 31. Learn about Company Budgets 
 32. Small Tasks Can Equal Big Rewards 
 33. Develop a Positive Attitude and Passion 
 34. Be Trustworthy 
 35. Don’t Burn Your Bridges 
 36. Become Aware of Corporate Culture 
 37. Develop Mentors
 38. Be Indispensable 

6. Seize Your Entrepreneurial Spirit 
 39. Apply for Grants Available to Students 
 40. Take an Independent Study 
 41. Use the Web to Experiment with a New Business Idea 
 42. Start Your Own Business 

7. Cover Letters, Résumés, and Thank-You Notes 
Tips for Writing Cover Letters, Résumés, and Thank-You Notes
Cover Letters 
Résumés 
Résumé Categories and Tips 
Résumés Submitted Online 
Résumé Writing Style 
Résumé Visual Style 
Résumé References 
Résumé Form versus Content 
Thank-You Notes 
Sample Résumés 
Public Relations 
Corporate Communications 
Video Animator  
Television Producer 
Social Media Producer  
Sample Cover Letters 
Sample Thank-You Notes 
CONCLUSION 
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES 
INDEX

Authors

Sherri Hope Culver

Sherri Hope Culver is an associate professor of Media Studies & Production at Temple University and serves as Director for the university’s Center for Media and Information Literacy. She also has extensive experience as a television producer and consultant to public media and children's media companies.

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