We know we’ve neglected all the aspiring journalists for a while now, but fret no more! Today’s post is about journalism and resources to help you fulfill your journalistic goals.

The great thing about journalism is that there are plenty of categories to choose – feature writing, investigative journalism, interviewer, reviewer…the list can go on and on.

And yes, we have heard the age old notion that ‘journalism is dead’ but we disagree. Journalism isn’t dead, it is simply evolving into more of an online presence rather than print. But let’s not open a can of worms on this topic, since today we are providing resources for up and coming journalists looking to get their foot in the door.

One of the most essential things to have if you want to be a journalist is a portfolio of your published works. So whether you are in high school or university, its time to get writing! Consider being a contributor for an online publication or your university’s magazine. For example, Monash University has Lot’s Wife and Esperanto while University of Melbourne has Farrago and RMIT has Catalyst.

For high school students, we actually have The Under Age, a publication specifically targeted towards aspiring journalists in high school.

If you’re a freelance writer, think along the lines of Kill Your Darlings and The Lifted Brow. If you’re 13-18 years old, Express Media also has the Signal Express and of course our beloved Voiceworks.

With the portfolio, you can also consider having it as your own blog. The best outlets for these are WordPress and Cargo Collective. Take advantage of their tagging features to maximise publicity and viewership of your portfolio. The Loop is another terrific online platform to look into.

Last but not least, keep in touch with people who may be able to help you out in the future, for example your university tutors and the editors you write for. You can add them on Facebook, but we would advise a more professional platform like LinkedIn or follow them on Twitter. It also never hurts to have a coffee catch up every now and then!

Looking for more inspiration? Then check out Forbes’ ‘Top 10 Tips For Young Aspiring Journalists’ and Huffington Post’s feature called ‘Why Journalism Is Not Dead’

Opportunities and events

We’re always on the lookout for writers to be featured as part of NYWM. If you’re happy to answer a few questions about you and your writing, please fill out this form.

If you’ve got a hectic schedule and a busy lifestyle but still want to get qualified for journalism, then consider enrolling into a Diploma of Journalism at J School, Australia’s leading online journalism school. More details here.

There are only 5 days left to send submissions for Voiceworks upcoming edition ‘Master’ so get cracking! Submission guidelines and writing assistance are all here.

The Australia Times is an free, online publication that caters to many niches such as theatre, science, fashion, games and much much more. They are always looking for contributors and have many volunteer positions open. Check out their website and if you’re interested in being a part of the team, click here.