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[sunshinekiid]

Well, I have never exactly been set on one career for my whole life. Hence I am in a gen ed program in a pretty crappy university, taking a variety of courses. I've wanted to pursue really random careers, from a pediatrician, to music teacher. Two completely different occupations. Now I've finally think I'm set on getting into journalism, it was

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[notgruntled]

Well, I have never exactly been set on one career for my whole life. (vague modifier) Hence I am in a gen ed (spell out) program in a pretty crappy university, taking a variety of courses (Isn't that what "gen ed" means?). I've wanted to pursue really random careers, from a pediatrician, to music teacher. Two completely different occupations (frag). Now I've finally think I'm set on getting into journalism, (comma splice) it was always an occupation I had considered, and one of the only (meaningless phrase) ones that I haven't changed my mind about. However, I've never taken part in any part of newspapers, or publications at all what so ever.. And now I have to start getting some published work, (so I'm volunteering at the university newspaper). ¶ Is (agr.) there any tips or advice anyone can give me? I feel like a real newbie and to be honest, I am kind of self-conscious of people reading my work. I'm also scared shitless that getting into it may ruin it for me.. (What does that mean? That if you try it and don't like it, you'll have to give up daydreaming about it?) Maybe I wont be able to write what I'm told to write about, (comma splice) I really hated being told what to write about in high school? (Is this a question?)Will this be similar?

If you think that was harsh, you might want to reconsider journalism. A good copy desk will be a lot harsher than I was. It's a crucible from which emerges either a better writer or a basket case.

That said, the only way to find out if it's something you want to do is to do it. Make no mistake, you have to want badly to do it (as opposed to wanting to do it badly, in which case I hear Fox News is hiring). Jobs are few and far between; everyone in the business is laying off writers.

Once you land a job, the pay is meager, but at least the hours are terrible. "Holiday" will have no meaning aside from less traffic than usual. The only real way to stick with journalism is if you can't imagine doing anything else every time you spend most of the day wondering whether it would be better to move to the country and raise goats, you still come back to it.

It might seem that I'm trying to scare you off, but that's only because I'm trying to scare you off. Journalists outnumber jobs in journalism by a wide enough margin that "citizen journalism" -- reporting by folks who aren't particular about being paid -- is actually a workable business model.

[daisho]

I echo all this. If the original poster isn't sure about being a journalist, I strongly suggest finding out for sure before committing to a journalism course.