Sports Writer- Harrisonburg, VA

From jjobs.com
http://www.journalismjobs.com/Job_Listing.cfm?JobID=1547919

Company: Daily News-Record
Position:
Sports Writer
Location:
Harrisonburg, Virginia
Job Status: Full-time
Salary: Not Specified
Ad Expires:
January 7, 2014
Job ID: 1547919

Description:

The Daily News-Record, a six-day (Monday-Saturday) paper in Harrisonburg, Va., is seeking a reporter to cover James Madison University basketball. The job also entails general assignment reporting and desk work as part of a five-person staff. You also need to be into digital journalism. Harrisonburg is a college town in the Shenandoah Valley, two hours southwest of D.C. and two hours west of Richmond. We'll probably hire somebody with no more than two years of professional experience. If you're a recent college graduate, please meet these two criteria: 1) have extensive major beat experience, including basketball, at your college paper, and 2) have worked as an intern/stringer at a newspaper or website. Please email resumes and clips to sports editor Chris Simmons at csimmons@dnronline.com No phone calls.

 

There was an opening here in May: http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/posts/3606366/. Definitely seems like a good place to go.

 

Beautiful part of the country, but can you really say this in a job posting?

We'll probably hire somebody with no more than two years of professional experience.

 

Hey, applause for being honest. I also share your sentiments about that being a beautiful part of the country.

 

He says that in all his job ads, I think. He's big on being the guy who takes the young pup and turns him into a stud. Makes it clear, though, so props to him, I guess.

 

Mention this every time a job with Chris is posted here, but if you're young -- apply. Now. Place has a good history of people moving up (alums in the past 10 years are at or have been at SI, ESPN, The National in Abu Dhabi, Newark Star-Ledger, Richmond Times Dispatch & the IU beat guy in Bloomington) and Chris just makes you better.

Plus, Harrisonburg is growing and a really enjoyable town with some of the most beautiful falls you'll see when the leaves change color. Oh, and James Madison isn't a bad thing to have in town for a recent college grad.

 

I know that's what they can look for. I would just be a little leery of a discrimination (age) suit by putting it in writing like that.

 

any different that "entry-level" job really? and the word probably leaves it open...

 

I've lost track since I left the area. Who's leaving?

 

Mark Selig holds this position now. Not sure if he's leaving or moving to another job.

 

Believe I saw that Selig is leaving. Going to have to check in with him on that one, but believe I saw him post something on Facebook about doing grad school at Missouri. Going to have to check on that.
Anyway, this is my old gig and I have nothing but good things to say about it. And yes, Simmons hires young writers because he's really good at working with young writers. We've been over this before. I've been out for 4 1/2 years now so things have changed I'm sure, but feel free to PM me with any questions I might actually be able to help with. But yeah, if you're a recent college grad or you've been in the business for a year or two, this is one of the best jobs you're going to find.

 

Dustin is correct; I'm leaving and heading to Missouri.

Feel free to message me with any specific questions about the DN-R position.