Working/Job opportunities in NW Arkansas--PR, Journalism (Russellville, Russell: universities, internship)

[undertheironsea]

It's been a while since I've used city-data, so bear with me.

I'm graduating in the near future with a bachelor's degree in Journalism. I'm 27 and I already have a bachelor's degree in Middle Level Education. I'm going to stick around here (Russellville) for a while for a local newspaper and put some cash up while I ponder jobs with better pay. I'm wondering, would the NWA area be the best place to look for jobs that pay better within my field? I'm just wondering if degrees from Arkansas Tech would be enough to compete with UA grads and people from bigger universities from other parts of the country.

I've been published twice in national education magazines and I've placed in a recent state journalism competition. I hope to do more before graduation. Can that resume compete with a couple years of newspaper experience attached to it, or am I better off where I am? Are there many opportunities, like say, PR or reporting, in the area?

I'm not a native Arkansan, especially not familar with the area (although I've visited a few times and enjoyed myself) so I need a little help if anyone can provide it.

[OurGreatEscape]

Are you interested in a summer internship? Cox Communications is looking for an intern for its NWA location. https://ccirecruit.cox.com/psc/RECRU...APP_SCHJOB.GBL

If that link doesn't work, try : Careers | Cox Communications go to external jobs and type in INTERN in the keywords box.

Cox is looking for a "rising" junior or senior level college student.

From what I've noticed over the years, most of the young tv reporters in NWA are not from the UofA. Many are coming out of OK and KS.

You've got a couple of things going for you imo--You are an "older" student and you have some experience. While potential employers like to train new employees, they also seem to want folks with some sort of "proven track record."

I'd suggest you get into the Career Services office at Tech. Surely, there is one. Put them to work for you to see what your options are.

[undertheironsea]

I'm taking summer classes, plus I'm a print journalism major and it's 2 hours away, so a good idea but not worth it. Not interested in doing anything related to TV.

My plan is local newspaper around Russellville first, then use that experience to branch out into PR.

[nmnita]

this as a catch up and I realize you posted a few months ago, the Gazette, NWA section seems to be looking for journelists all the time. I would suggest, you contact them, if you not already. Whether they pay more than you can make in the Russelville area is something I can not answer. Good luck to you, my husband started his career in print media. That was when it was a thriving business. I will add, it didn't pay any better then than now. That is why, he eventually moved to PR.