Joe Gisondi, a colleague here at EIU, does a good job canvassing some sports editors and beat reporters about the state of the job market. One thing that sticks out: multimedia skills are an increasingly important part of the package that gets you in the door. #

In addition, sports editors are looking for new media skills. “Reporters are equipped with cameras to get shots when photographers are not available,” says a Chicago area editor. “Multitasking has become the rule.” #

Yesterday in our online journalism class, I mentioned that students, especially seniors who will be graduating soon, need to spend their remaining time in school learning at least one new media skill to make themselves marketable. Probably the least complicated new media skill they can work on is blogging. If you have a beat – any beat – start a weblog to go along with the beat. Post short items that don’t appear in print, or extend your reporting beyond the print story. #

Additionally, as I told the audience of students in Iowa recently, it’s time for reporters to start demanding more involvement in online work. It’s your career that’s changing while you’re working on the campus media. If your editors aren’t pushing you to be involved with online reporting, you need to be pushing them, pushing yourself. Take a camera out on assignment, volunteer to shoot some video. Capture and edit some audio. Learn how to make a map. #

This is not just crucial for sports reporters, but for all entry-level journalists. #

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