Indiana University School of Journalism

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Photo by Thomas Miller

Career Services director Marcia Debnam, center,  hosts Career Cafes each week. Recently, she talked to Paige Keefe, right,  about strategies for landing jobs and internships.

Senior Brianne Mahala is wrapping up her journalism degree, but she’s been planning what comes after graduation for the past two years. Mahala like many journalism students seeks the advice of Marica Debnam, director of career services, during weekly Career Café sessions in the journalism library.

“I started going my junior year,” Mahala said. “She’s given me confidence. I regret not going sooner.”

While jobs in the media have become increasingly tight, Debnam said the best way to get a job now is the same as it’s always been: Get as much experience as possible.

“Career development starts right now,” Debnam said. “It doesn’t start junior year or senior year, it starts right now.”

Finding a job after graduation may depend everything from well-written resumes and cover letters to past internships. At Career Cafes, Debnam gives students on-the-spot advice about formatting resumes or cover letters, but getting a high quality internship requires a little more planning. Debnam said students often don’t realize the internship opportunities that exist in the Bloomington area and on the Internet.

“There’s no question internships are absolutely crucial to finding jobs following graduation,” she said. “You can do four or five internships before you graduate. It just takes motivation determination and good time management.”

Debnam also pointed to extracurricular activities such as participating in student organizations or working in student media as a great ways for students to get ready for the job market. Students have the most success when they’re combining the things they need to do to get their careers started with something they love.

“I tell students to find their passion and to do what they love,” Debnam said. By pursuing their passions, they can figure out where they fit into the job market.

Photo by Thomas Miller

Students from freshmen to seniors drop in the journalism library during Career Cafe sessions. Debnam's first bit of advice for all is "to do what they love."

Debnam is able to work on each student’s situation because of the free form nature of Career Café. During specific times each week, students may drop by the journalism library without appointments. Debnam said students from graduate students to freshmen come in with questions and if she doesn’t have the answer, she sits with the student to search for it.

Sophomore Lyndsey Wall came to Debnam for advice on summer internships and resume letters, topics Debnam deals with on a daily basis. Wall won’t leave Career Café with an internship in hand, but that’s not the reason why she came.

“I’m just getting started,” Wall said. “The School of Journalism has good networking and helps you know where jobs are available.”

Wall came to Career Café looking for advice on where to find internships, what to have on her resume, and how to get experience at a young age. These aren’t new questions for Debnam, but every student is different and for Debnam, that means finding new answers to timeless questions.

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