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It's me, I'm the high school black journalist with work coming in Undark & NYT!
This is why you need to listen to @TWC_pod right now and here's how I did it.
(a thread) https://twitter.com/wudanyan/status/1290732879228448768
This is why you need to listen to @TWC_pod right now and here's how I did it.
(a thread) https://twitter.com/wudanyan/status/1290732879228448768
To start, @wudanyan and @jenni_gritters have engaging conversations that are actually informative and entertaining.
I literally listened to the entire podcast in one day and subscribed to their Patreon right after.
Within two weeks of finishing listening to the podcast...
I literally listened to the entire podcast in one day and subscribed to their Patreon right after.
Within two weeks of finishing listening to the podcast...
I have work in places I never thought imaginable.
Their tips on networking were amazing.
I feel like it's such a loaded term. When you hear it, it looks complicated and intricate and unreachable.
But really it was as simple as emailing editors and requesting a zoom call.
Their tips on networking were amazing.
I feel like it's such a loaded term. When you hear it, it looks complicated and intricate and unreachable.
But really it was as simple as emailing editors and requesting a zoom call.
Another thing: negotiation.
Understand your worth. I know that while I might be 16, my work deserves pay.
Yes, I am a "young" journalist but the podcast helped me realize I don't need to slave away at unpaid internships for literal years to maybe, just maybe, have a chance—
Understand your worth. I know that while I might be 16, my work deserves pay.
Yes, I am a "young" journalist but the podcast helped me realize I don't need to slave away at unpaid internships for literal years to maybe, just maybe, have a chance—
At barely making a living wage. Unpaid internships are a horrible barrier to young BIPOC writers. Don't "write for exposure" and "work your way up." Aim high, don't doubt yourself.
Yes, you can "make it" and you don't have to wait years to do it.
Yes, you can "make it" and you don't have to wait years to do it.
Like everyone else, I don't land every pitch I send but I do a lot of things that make it more likely to be accepted.
I look at every free resource imaginable. For example, I've been attending @TimHerrera freelance sessions for the past three months. They're amazing every time.
I look at every free resource imaginable. For example, I've been attending @TimHerrera freelance sessions for the past three months. They're amazing every time.
My point is this: look on the Internet. Resources are out there and there are publications that will actually pay you for your labor. Sometimes they are a little harder to find but it is so worth it.
Also to my fellow young writers: you don't have to wait. You can start tomorrow.
A lot of it has been about a mindset.
I am a journalist, yes in high school, but I'm still a journalist.
A lot of it has been about a mindset.
I am a journalist, yes in high school, but I'm still a journalist.
You can work at your high school paper but that's not the only paper you absolutely need to write at.
I find it frustrating that 99% of the advice adults in media will give is just to write at your high school paper. Yes, that's important but also try—
I find it frustrating that 99% of the advice adults in media will give is just to write at your high school paper. Yes, that's important but also try—
Reaching out to your local and regional outlets: they need you. You don't have to wait.
Young journalists exist and we can do work just like the "professionals."
