I work with young reporters all the time and when it comes time for them to graduate from college they ask me for career advice. I ask them what they like, if they speak any languages, what makes them different and what do they have a passion for. I tell them to go buy an inexpensive camera and produce their own pieces that fill a niche in which they have a passion for. Then look for the distribution channels. If there isn’t a good enough one, start your own and use the sharing tools the internet offers to grow your fan base. If you want to monetize it, figure out what businesses your fan base appeals to.

Colleges and Universities have been teaching this traditional media model and need to move away from it quickly if they have any chance of providing their students with satisfying careers.

We are beginning to see it change with college newspapers including “multimedia” and “blog” sections to their websites. People follow passionate people with the same interests. This is a great place to distribute and gather an early following.