Media Career Development Network recently held a workshop on Maximising media fellowships and awards. Below are some of the tips offered by Media Career Development expert, Lekan Otufodunrin
- Apply for as many as possible, chances are that you may not be successful the first, second or third time. There are many applicants each time there is a call for entries
- Know the ones to apply for after carefully reading their requirements and guidelines for applications
- If you don’t have what it takes, it’s not advisable to apply unless you think there may not be better candidates than you
- Read the citations of winners and their entries to know what they have that you probably don’t have
- Read judges comments for the keywords that stand the winners out
- Even if you are not selected for a fellowship follow proceedings shared on the websites and social media and contribute.
- Don’t become complacent after winning an award or fellowship. Ensure you raise the bar in your performance and utilize opportunities offered by the fellowships. Network, become an expert in your coverage area and initiate projects to help achieve the purpose of the fellowships.
- Acknowledge non-selection letters in a nice way that does not show you are angry and promise to be following the project. Let them know you don’t mind getting any useful resource that can give you the opportunity to still help in their initiatives.
- Organise step down training when you return from fellowships and bring back useful resources for your colleagues
- Stay in touch with the organisers of the fellowship programme in case of follow up programme
- -Look for other fellowships to attend but space out your participation before your managers start complaining.
- Get the right and the best person to recommend you. Remember one day someone will be asked to speak about your work. Whatever is said about you can always be checked out.
- Write your motivation letter in a convincing way citing what you have done in the past that is relevant to your current applications
- Attach all necessary documents, don’t wait till the last minute when you may have uploading issues
- Even if you don’t win, remember to note in your CV or profile that you were a runner-up
MORE IMPORTANTLY
- –Be a very good journalist–Have excellent reports
–Have records of your work kept in various formats
–Enjoy the confidence of your superiors who can recommend you for fellowships
–Awards and fellowship are not necessarily a measure of how good you are as a journalist, but they are a good boost for your career
Even if you don’t get them, your excellent performance will earn you the necessary promotion and recognition at work
