By Alan Blanchard – www.cornerstone.edu/journalism

While a journalist for more than two decades on daily and weekly newspapers, I’ve spoken to hundreds of high school students over the years and have come to learn that they are very curious about possible careers. I’ve also learned that they many times have an interest in becoming a reporter or photojournalist, but think that such a career would be beyond their capabilities.

I’ve also found this to be true of many college students as well, who tell me they’d like to write or take photographs professionally for newspapers or magazines, but assume they don’t have what it takes to be a journalist.

I can relate to these thoughts from high school and college students, because I used to think like they thought … that was until a veteran newspaper editor (from The Orange County Register, Santa Ana, Calif.) turned journalism professor got hold of me when I was attending college in New Mexico, known as the Land of Enchantment.

I wanted to be a journalist, but frankly doubted whether I was a good enough writer. However, this editor-turned-professor demonstrated faith in me and showed me the way. During that year, I went from 0 to 60 mph (in a manner of speaking) as a green college student to professional writer while still in school: writing for the local daily newspaper in Artesia, N.M., for experience, then for the Roswell (N.M.) Daily Record (think hangar 59, you UFO afficionados) as a paid correspondent reporter and even published a freelance article for $125 in Farm Chemicals magazine …

While I apparently had the ability to do all of this as a college sophomore, this professor’s faith in me made it all possible.

If you have a desire to write or photograph for a newspaper or magazine, you have the main ingredient necessary for you to pursue a career as a journalist or photojournalist. Other things that will help you include: curiosity, persistence and a desire to share useful, interesting and entertaining information with your fellow citizens through newspapers, magazines, e-zines, etc.