Media career guide : preparing for jobs in the 21st century.

Considering a career in media/communications. What are the trends and career opportunities in media communications? ; What are employers looking for? ; Where do recruiters find qualified candidates? -- Where the jobs are. Six common media job types ; Eight common media business areas : advertising, institutional communications and training (corporate, government, nonprofits), magazine publishing, new media/web-based media/multimedia, radio industry, television industry, video games, video production company -- Preparing for a career in media. Start career planning early ; Keep a notebook or journal ; Be a critical consumer ; Start a professional contact list ; Be a history buff ; Learn as much as you can about computers and software ; Become a research and job search expert ; Learn to speak and write a foreign language ; Take a business course ; Write your ideal resumé ; Write a real resumé and cover letter, and have both ready at all times ; Keep a portfolio ; Create a personal web page ; Clean up your online life -- Getting started in your search. Learn the terminology ; Team projects yield team players ; Promote yourself without being obnoxious ; Join a professional organization ; Volunteer ; Conduct a personality assessment and develop your skill set ; Attend career workshops and fairs ; Surf the Net (and bookstores) for inspiration ; Seek an internship ... or two or three ; Get a part-time job in your field ; Get over your fear of the cold call ; Set up informational interviews ; Use class assignments as opportunities to meet leaders in your field ; Learn about the company before you ask for the job -- Succeeding once you\'re in (your internship or first job). Read what the pros read ; Learn about company budgets ; Small tasks can equal big rewards ; Develop a positive attitude and passion ; Be trustworthy ; Don\'t burn your bridges ; Become aware of corporate culture ; Develop mentors ; Learn to network ; Be indispensable -- Seize your entrepreneurial spirit. Apply for grants available to students ; Take an independent study ; Use the Web to experiment with a new business idea ; Start your own business -- Cover letters, resumés, and thank-you notes. Tips for writing cover letters, resumés, and thank-you notes ; Cover letters ; Resumés ; Thank-you notes ; Sample resumes : public relations, corporate communications, video animator, radio, television producer, teaching, journalism ; Sample cover letters ; Sample thank-you notes.