Eniola Toluwani, Correspondent, The Punch during the December 2016 Media Career Q&A shared his experience as a campus journalist and how he eventually got a job in national newspapers
I developed interest in journalism right from my 100-Level days. I told a cyber café attendant I could write and he recommended me to a magazine editor who contracted me to write an article for their magazine. The magazine published my article but didn’t pay me as promised. I expressed displeasure with a friend in my class about this.
The friend became one of the student leaders in our department’s students’ association. When the department’s editorial board was going to be constituted, he contacted me, after remembering I told him I wanted to write. I was interviewed and I was appointed a member of the board.
The editor of the board gave me my first assignment….my first news report. Some cult members renounced their membership of cult groups and my university held a programme for them. I covered the event and wrote a nice report. When the editor saw my report, he was very happy. Instantly, he said I would be his deputy.
I was not satisfied with writing for my department alone. I had always loved to write for a newspaper. I developed interest in reading newspaper columns and miraculously I stumbled upon The Nation newspaper where I saw a call for student reporters. I applied with two of my stories same day. The Editor, late Ngozi Nwozor, published the stories. When I saw my name in print, it was fulfilling. That captures my brief entry into journalism
From my story, the key to entering journalism is developing interest in the profession and preparation. I applied with two stories. The stories were as important as the application. Here is my definition of a good journalist: A good journalist is one that has good stories all the time. If at the point that the opportunity came, and I didn’t know how to write, such an opportunity would have been useless. Don’t dream alone. Prepare for the dream.
First, I will encourage aspiring journalists to read at least three editions of major papers weekly. Join editorial groups on campus and write. These days, there are more opportunities for students to write even for newspapers.
The Nation is an example. Look for interesting stories around and write. In my days, once I was able to establish myself, people called me to write stories they could as well do themselves. I even got to interview the Vice Chancellor, great feat in those days.
This early exposure is a good way to start. At this early stage, don’t be disappointed by the fact that most of the papers which receive stories from students don’t actually pay. Ensure you read edited copies of your stories. This will make you learn from your mistakes.
Second, send in good stories to newspaper editors and develop personal relationships with them. If you do this over time, it becomes easier to hire you when you complete your education.
Three, journalism is not only about who can write. Journalism is more about who can GET the story and GET it told very well. Develop your writing skills by reading widely and writing regularly. Beyond this, develop tactics to get good stories. I will emphasise that one puts 75 per cent effort on how to get the good stories and 25 per cent on how to write or tell the story well. These two determinants (getting good stories and writing/telling them effectively) will determine your success in the profession. So, to start, begin to ask: How do I get good stories? How do I tell/write it effectively? You will find answers if you keep searching
Take away: 1. read at least three editions of major papers weekly. 2. send in good stories to newspaper editors and develop personal relationships with them 3. journalism is not only about who can write. Journalism is more about who can GET the story and GET it told very well.
For full report of the session with nine other top media professionals click this link