The media industry is changing and so is its job market. That means competition for all of those glamorous New York City jobs is more fierce than a room full of hungry "America's Next Top Model" hopefuls. Long story short, your professional career has already started. You should already be making those off-campus connections and having those off-campus experiences that will set you apart in an increasingly sophisticated pool of job applicants. So start now. Start here. The National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association is an organization of journalists, media professionals, educators and students that works within the news industry to foster fair and accurate coverage of LGBT issues. We have student opportunities and resources for everyone, and when you're sitting in your first off-campus job interview, your résumé will thank you.


Everyone and their dog is talking about "hands-on experience" outside of lecture halls and student media, but how do you get it? Let NLGJA's Student Project put you ahead of the pack (and take you to our annual convention, too).

When he started NLGJA, Roy Aarons was the executive editor of The Oakland Tribune. What better place to make your own start? The Leroy F. Aarons Newsroom Internship is a 10-week, paid internship at The Oakland Tribune designed to give you the real-world experience you need.

So you have 456 Facebook friends, and somehow, you're also directly connected to both Al Gore and the lead singer of The Killers. Join NLGJA and start building your professional network. You'll make connections that will propel your career.

Text books don't always tell you everything. Check out NLGJA's publications and resources for the full story on LGBT coverage issues. There's a stylebook supplement, podcasts and even a program that can bring NLGJA to your campus.

Just kidding. It's not all about photocopying. Interact with NLGJA members nationwide through our National Office Internship in Washington, DC. It's an ideal opportunity for a student interested in non-profits, news media and/or LGBT issues.

Leroy F. Aarons: That's a name you should underline and highlight. He dedicated his life to LGBT issues in the media, and this scholarship is in his honor, offering up to $5,000 in tuition assistance to an LGBT student planning a career in journalism.
 

NLGJA's 2007 Student Project convened 18 college students from around the country to report the news of "Breaking Stories, Breaking Waves," the organization's 2007 National Convention & 4th Annual LGBT Media Summit held over Labor Day weekend in San Diego. Check out the Video Project's final broadcast above, and click here to see extensive print and online coverage. Interested in being a part of it? Click here to learn more about our 2008 Student Project in Washington, DC.

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