<p>Okay, here's the story: I dream of going into journalism, and have seized every opportunity available to me. I am co-editor-in-chief of the school newspaper in my sophomore year, submit essays to writing contests (sometimes winning, sometimes not), and contribute unpaid articles to my local paper on a regular basis. Now, I am ready to take my zeal for writing to the next level and take on a paid contributor position somewhere. Problem is, I haven't found any place willing to hire an ambitious sixteen-year-old kid with no professional experience.</p>
<p>Thus far, I have contacted the local newspaper for which I write (I offered to string or stuff papers for them; alas, no interest), the free Penny Saver everyone in the county receives, my school district, and a myriad of local businesses, all to no avail. My town is small, and I doubt there are any such positions available for high schoolers. In desperation, I turn to the Internet.</p>
<p>I know this may be an outlandish question for CC, but does anyone know of any quality websites (blogs?) or magazines that hire minors to write for them on a regular basis? If not, can someone help me begin me search for a writing job? Where do I begin looking?</p>
<p>Any comments or appraisals are appreciated.</p>
<p>Here in Western Canada, there's a magazine called "Youthink" which publishes articles for high school students, written by students. Their website is youthink:</a> who can write Maybe there's something like this in your part of the US?</p>
<p>You could always try sending in articles freelance to newspapers or magazines that run stories on topics that you're knowledgeable about. I don't know much about the world of Journalism but I do know that pretty much all the major publications (well at least the issues of GQ and Scientific American I have in front of me) list an address and department to send pieces in for consideration.That might be a possibility for you, since pretty much all of them will allow you to submit your works online so it won't cost you a thing.</p>
<p>Best of luck with your future in journalism.</p>
<p>Thanks, guys. I've been considering freelancing for some time, but I never find the right moment to send out queries. Right now I'm working a twenty-hour workweek, so whenever I'm not doing my Alg. 2 homework or procrastinating on the Internet or writing, I'm slaving away.</p>
<p>I also love the concept of the magazine CDN_dancer linked. Anyone know of any similar magazines in the States.</p>
<p>Any more suggestions on how I can become a regular contributor for some publication? Do I start out with queries, like with freelancing? If you have any experience, and even if you don't, I'd like some more input.</p>
<p>Anyway, I think this is in the wrong forum, but I'm not sure how to move it (I could've put it in the Jobs forum to begin with, but I wanted more hits).</p>
<p>The site receives 1,000+ visitors a day and is taken seriously enough by tech companies that they send me free products to review. It has also been linked to by USA Today before, and apparently carries enough weight that Dell responded on my site to complaints I made about the quality of their products several months ago: Dell</a> Responds to PC Fastlane | PC Fastlane</p>
<p>If you are good with computers or interested in technology, PM me and I can see what I could do about getting you a position.</p>
<p>Thanks, Sleepy_Sentry. I'll PM you to discuss. </p>
<p>In the meantime, are there any American versions of Canadian magazines like YouThink? Maybe I should just write them myself and ask if they know of any such publications in the US?</p>
<p>Wigwam, I know the problems you're going through. I live in a huge city (Chicago) and it's still hard for a high school kid to find a job even at the local paper. I'm lucky enough to be doing my senior project at NBC, so let me share a little advice that I've learned so far.</p>
<p>As disheartening as it sounds, the number of actual journalistic positions are decreasing pretty much by the day as the industry slowly moves to the internet. The competition in the market is so high right now that a high school kid with no experience is definitely going to fall by the wayside no matter where you turn. It's really unfortunate and kind of sad, but if I were you I'd aim for submitting pieces to teen magazines and such publications. It's probably not going to be "paid contributor" work, but it's still getting stuff published. Do you often write editorials? You can try sending those in to bigger newspapers, too. When I got my editorial published in the New York Times, it was pretty cool. No pay, but it made for something awesome to save for later.</p>
<p>Ppenguin, I've been getting that impression from the places I've tried to look. It really is a pity. Does that I should look into the blogosphere? Maybe there are more opportunities there? </p>
<p>BTW, you got your editorial published in the New York Times? Wow, that is super-impressive, unpaid or not.</p>
<p>Freelancing seems to be my best option in this situation, eh? I guess I should start thinking up stories and composing query letters.</p>
<p>The site's mission is to "track down every journalism job opening through research". You can search the site which has over a million job openings, including jobs found on every employer's career website and every job board's website as well. The jobs listed on the site are reviewed by over 500 research analysts.</p>
<p>You can search jobs based on a variety of criteria, including job description, job title, required experience, and geographic location. The site is easy to use, and allows you to store jobs of particular interest to "My Hotlist." You can also keep track of jobs to which you have applied in "My Outbox." The outbox enables you to manage online and manual applications, and has a mail merge option.</p>
<p>Typically, the best way to break into being published while in h.s. is by being willing to cover local sports for local and regional newspapers. You have to be a fast and very accurate writer to do this because the stories typically are due minutes after games end.</p>
<p>My older S did this while in h.s. He was able to get paid work doing this because he had been volunteering for years as a columnist for a local weekly. His columns contained lots of reporting (such as when he reported on a middle school kid who was teaching adults and teens how to play ice hockey), not just S's personal opinions.</p>
<p>Also check the book Writer's Market, which you can probably find at your bookstore and city library. Lots of good info about freelancing.</p>
<p>Thanks, Northstarmom. I'll ask the local newspaper's editor about sports work the next time I submit an editorial. I have been rejected by the paper before, however, and find it unlikely, but it's possible. And yes, I know about Writer's Market, thanks.</p>
<p>Nhidalgo, I liked the look of the site, but most of the positions are full-time professional positions. Plus, I don't want to give out my credit card number, even if membership begins with a free trial.</p>
<p>You should look at JournalismCrossing .com because I've used it and it helped me so much to find the job I'm currently at. You will definitely find the perfect job for you! There are so many jobs available on this website - more than I've seen on any other website. Check it out!</p>
<p>Hmmm... Seems to be a trend of first-time posters recommending Journalism Crossing. No thanks; I'm not interested in that website, and now I suspect its legitimacy.</p>