public relations

Starting your job search with a background in Communication, Journalism, and Writing opens doors to careers that shape how people understand the world. Figuring out which path to take could feel overwhelming at first – something all college students go through. However, your time at Lawrence – writing stories, analysing media, creating digital content, performing, producing a podcast, or working on publications – can prove to be a powerful and versatile skill set. Now, let us explore what “entry-level” roles can look like for a freshly graduated Lawrentian in the CJW career field and how to begin navigating that first step towards a career in Communication, Journalism, and Written Arts. 

Where CJW Graduates Can Go 

Career paths in CJW are broad – and that’s a major advantage. While some students directly jump into journalism or media, there is a possibility for a career in marketing, publishing, nonprofit media and communications, or digital storytelling. Here are a few common paths for recent graduates: 

• Journalism and Media: Graduates can start off as news reporters, editorial assistants, production assistants, or social media producers for newspapers, magazines, radio stations, TV networks, or digital media outlets. These roles allow you to develop your voice while gaining experience in research, interviewing, editing, and storytelling.  

• Public Relations and Strategic Communications: Beginner-friendly roles such as PR assistant, communications coordinator, or media relations assistant involve writing press releases, managing social media, and assisting companies to communicate effectively with the target audience. Such jobs are common in agencies, corporations, nonprofits, and universities.  

• Marketing and Content Creation: CJW graduates can step into roles like content creator, copywriter, marketing assistant, or digital content coordinator. These positions focus on managing websites, campaigns, email marketing, and social media using strategic creativity. 

• Publishing and Editing: If you enjoy writing arts extensively, you can join roles where you can shape written content as an editor, assistant, proofreader, or publishing assistant, which offers hands-on experience in editing manuscripts, fact-checking, and working with authors and production teams. 

• Arts, Culture, and Nonprofits: Various museums, theaters, advocacy organizations, and community groups also need strong communicators. Positions like communications associate or outreach coordinator allow you to tell meaningful stories that support a mission or cause.  

In all of these career paths, the employers value the same core traits CJW students develop at Lawrence (i.e., strong writing, creativity, versatility, campus involvement, adaptability, and the ability to communicate clearly with different audiences). 

Skills That Set You Apart 

CJW students stand out because of their ability to tell and write stories that make an impact on the public. Employers are always looking for candidates who can write clearly and structurally, think creatively, and adapt their voice for different platforms and audiences – something that Lawrence provides you with in your undergraduate journey. 

Your experience of writing for a campus publication, producing a podcast, creating digital media for clubs and organizations on/off campus, working on a major writing project, or communications focused internship can speak for you when you begin applying to entry level positions out there in the real world. Portfolios, writing samples, and media projects can prove to be a strong asset in your application as it shows your work, and not just academia part of things. 

Your communication skills, with critical thinking and creativity, make you an asset in any organization that needs to share ideas effectively. 

You just need to be presentable with what you’ve done so far to better your chances in any job.  

Where to Start Looking 

Finding your first job often comes down to using your networks and campus resources strategically. 

Here are a few places to get started: 

• Career Center: The career center should be one of the first stops for Lawrence students when they begin their career search. It is one of the best resources Lawrence offers, which is run by friendly and helpful staff. You can book appointments for resume, cover letter help, portfolio reviews, mock interviews, and career advising. Career Peer Educators(CPEs) and Career Advisors can help you tailor your materials for media, writing, and communication roles. 

• Handshake: Lawrence’s official job search platform – Handshake – regularly lists opportunities in journalism, marketing, communications, publishing, and media productions. 

• Alumni Connections (Networking): Lawrence University has an incredibly strong and supportive alumni network. Reaching out to alumni working in media, PR, publishing, or marketing can lead to informational interviews, mentorship, referrals, and job leads. 

• Career Center Events: Follow the “@lawrencecareercenter” Instagram page and look out for panels, workshops, employer info sessions, and career fairs related to CJW fields can be a good idea. Career fairs and alumni panels are great opportunities to learn what employers are looking for and is a great way to start your professional networking journey. 

• Industry Job Boards: Websites like Mediabistro, JournalismJobs, Ed2010, and LinkedIn can be helpful to look for entry-level positions in writing, editing, media, and communications. 

• Newsletters and Professional Organizations: Subscribing to industry/campus newsletters and joining organizations like the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) or Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), etc., can bring you in the loop with new opportunities and keep you updated about trends in the field. 

Building Early Experience 

In CJW fields, experience, projects, and work samples matter. Internships with media outlets, marketing departments, publishers, nonprofits, or campus offices can help you build a strong portfolio. 

Campus involvement reflects very well on your resume. Writing for student publications, managing social media for an organization, contributing to blogs, or helping with event promotion demonstrates real-world communication skills. Freelance work, personal blogs, podcasts, or creative writing projects can also help you strengthen your portfolio and showcase your initiative. 

Even small projects can lead to big opportunities when they reflect your creativity, voice, and work ethic. 

Conclusion 

Pursuing a career in communication, journalism, or writing doesn’t mean knowing what you want to do or what you want to be from day one; these fields are very open and allow you to explore what you actually like. Your path might lead you to a newsroom, a publishing house, a marketing agency, or a non-profit organization – and it may evolve multiple times along the way. 

What matters most is your ability to be connected to your basics, which is tell meaningful stories, connect with audiences, and communicate ideas clearly. Your time at Lawrence has prepared you to do exactly that – and the world needs those fearless voices now more than ever.