Overview
Journalism is one of those fields where your published clips matter more than almost anything else on your resume. Editors want to see that you can report, write, and deliver under pressure. A degree alone will not cut it. You need to show a track record of actual stories, even if they come from student media or short placements.
This resume belongs to Rory McAllister, a Journalism graduate from the University of Strathclyde. He completed a trainee placement at The Herald in Glasgow and edited the university's student newspaper. His resume works because every entry points back to published output and measurable editorial impact.
What Makes This Resume Work
Published work is counted and named. Rory does not just say he "wrote articles." He specifies 45 articles over 6 months at a named newspaper, with an average output of 3 per week. He names the publication and describes the beats he covered, which tells an editor exactly what kind of reporting experience he brings.
Investigative contribution stands out. Contributing to 3 investigative features at a regional paper as a trainee is a strong signal. He includes one metric that one story was shared 2,800 times which demonstrates real audience engagement, not just byline counting.
Student media experience is treated seriously. Running the student newspaper as editor is a genuine leadership role. Rory managed 18 writers, published 24 editions, and grew online readership by 40%. These numbers make the experience read like a real editorial job, which is exactly how employers should view it.
Key Takeaways
Count everything. How many articles did you publish? How many people read them? How many sources are in your contacts book? Journalism is a profession built on specifics, and your resume should reflect that. Student media, podcasts, and personal blogs all count if you can show consistent output and an engaged audience.
