Paul Mitchell: Top Three Skills for Success as a Journalist
Paul Mitchell, recruitment and retention coordinator at the Reynolds School, discusses the best ways for students to prepare themselves for careers in the field of journalism.
You may not know this, but Paul Mitchell is a self-proclaimed James Bond fanatic… and not for the reasons you might think.
While we all know that the well-crafted plot lines of the British spy series are exceptionally entertaining, its alluring film elements are not what ultimately piqued his interest in Agent 007.
Instead, Mitchell says that he was drawn to the character because of “the fact that he knew a little bit about everything.”
This trait is one of many that he believes a good journalist should possess.
In addition to being well-versed in multiple subjects, there are three particular skills that Mitchell claims are most important for students to acquire during their time at the Reynolds School.
1. Be curious and open to learning new things
“The number one thing for me, with any student who’s trying to enter this field, is (that) you have to be inquisitive,” he said.
If you’re not curious, it’s extremely difficult to be successful. The less you are interested in learning about, the less knowledge you will have to contribute to the world with your writing.
“You have to get into the mindset of being not just a four-year learner or a five-year learner… you have to be a lifelong learner,” Mitchell said.
One way that Mitchell stays informed about current issues is by going to Barnes and Noble and reading magazines and books that don’t interest him. In doing so, he knows that he’s bound to learn something new.
It’s important to be knowledgeable about a variety of topics, especially in the event that you need to write a story about one of them.
“Your willingness or unwillingness to learn and be open to learning new things and new ways of creation (can) ultimately limit what it is that you want to do and be,” Mitchell said.
When Mitchell first entered the field, newspapers were the prime source for information. In Philadelphia, he grew up with four major newspapers and now there are only two.
Because new technology arose and people in the industry weren’t willing to keep up with the times, their companies went out of business. Mitchell witnessed this firsthand with many of his peers as the internet and social media began to dominate the production and distribution of news.
“You have to know how to use those other mediums,” he said. “There were some people who weren’t willing to make those adjustments, and now they’re out of business.”
2. Be accurate and pay attention to details
The second most crucial skill to obtain as a journalist is accuracy.
“The best way that you can embarrass yourself and hurt someone else is by misspelling someone’s name,” Mitchell said. “You just lose all credibility.”
Unlike in the past, journalists today are required to do their own fact-checking. This means that ensuring your work is truthful and accurate is critical to being a reputable journalist.
In order to execute this effectively, you must be diligent. Otherwise, you may find yourself out of a job.
3. Be able to “show and tell” a story
Whether you’re in public relations or news reporting, to best deliver the message you wish to convey, you must first understand the perception of the organization for which you are representing or writing, Mitchell said.
Knowing your audience and their preconceived ideas about your topic is key in developing an effective way to speak your purpose and receive the appropriate response.
Additional Advice
In conjunction with these three aforementioned skills, Mitchell emphasizes the importance of being proactive about entering the workforce.
“Don’t wait until your last year of college to try to get going in the field because, if you do, (you’ll be) so far behind,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell, who previously taught at the University of Missouri, mentions that their students are encouraged to prepare for the workforce right from the beginning. Because these students will serve as heavy competition for employment opportunities in the future, students at the Reynolds School must strive to exceed their extent of preparation.
Closing Thoughts
In college, Mitchell never shared his vision for what he wanted to do.
But, one day, he met someone who changed the course of his career by simply inquiring about his interests. Upon his response, Mitchell was connected with another person who then helped him to land his first media job.
“If I hadn’t articulated what I wanted to do, it wouldn’t have happened. You have to speak it, and speak it into existence,” he said.
On Mitchell’s office computer screen, there is a quote that reads “A goal without a plan is a wish,” and it was at this point in the conversation that he referenced it.
“If you’re not planning, you’re just hoping that something is going to happen. And it doesn’t work like that,” he said. “You have to be constantly and consistently working toward whatever it is that you want to accomplish.”
Interview conducted Friday, September 20 in Paul Mitchell’s office at the Reynolds School of Journalism.
