With the growing Internet domination, anyone who can type can be a journalist. But ask any journalism student: J-school is not just GIFs and listicles. To make it as a journalism student, there are many hoops to jump through and a lot of hard work, all to have your parents tell you you're never going to find a job. Nevertheless, there's nothing you'd rather do!
1. When you tell your parents you got a job or internship the first thing they ask is if you'll be getting paid.
... usually the answer is no.
2. Technology malfunctions feel like they can ruin your entire life.
3. There's a constant struggle over whether your twitter is professional or personal.
Well, I have to include my Twitter handle on my resume, but I also want to make poop jokes.
4. On top of that, all your social media is clogged with shameless self-promotion.
5. You're torn between spending time writing listicles or doing hard-hitting expose pieces.
Except everyone knows a majority of our generation won't take the time to read a 1,200-word article on GMOs. Long live the listicle!
6. Nothing in your life is off limits for blogging material.
Which leads to awkward conversations such as, "Hey I know we haven't talked in a year, but I will be publishing an article about how much of a jerk you were," but you're not sorry about it.
7. You've reached the point of threats to get your friends and family to share your articles.
8. Balancing articles you need to write for class and for the publication you write for gets confusing and overwhelming
9. Even though you're used to constant constructive criticism from editors, professors and your parents, sometimes a comment strikes a nerve.
10. Your friends, roommates and cat have all become accustomed to being harassed for quotes when you're getting close to a deadline.
11. Your roommates know not to bother you when you're on deadline and rapidly typing like your life depended on it.
12. At holidays and family events, certain family members feel the need to tell you that you're in a dying field and won't get a job.
And even if you do, it will never pay enough to support you.
13. Even with all the ups and downs, the heartache of rejection, and late night editing sessions, you remember there's nothing you'd rather do.
