A bunch of students have reached out to me asking for advice on breaking into media as a recent grad and I’m going to put together a post at some point. In the meantime I have highlights on my IG under the Q&A http://Instagram.com/taylorlorenz  1/

The main thing I just want to remind anyone graduating is that you don’t have to have it all figured out! Your first job (if ur lucky enough to land a full time gig) is just a learning experience. Don’t worry abt finding a dream job off the bat 2/

I graduated into the financial crisis and worked temp jobs and retail for much of my 20s. When I was posting on tumblr I could have never dreamed of being a reporter it wasn’t even something I contemplated. @kellybergin can attest 3/

So anyway just saying that since I love what I do now so much but it was a long discovery process to get here through a lot of jobs in several industries and a lot of hourly work starting off. So don’t worry if u don’t have a job right away. Pitch freelance pieces if u can 4/

And definitely network as much as you can too. But don’t be afraid to take a job outside of media or what u think u might want to do. Every job is a learning experience and at the end of the day sometimes u need a paycheck. Many many successful ppl don’t have linear paths 5/

Jobs I had my few years out of school: receptionist, retail sales clerk, administrative assistant (I was always getting fired from these jobs b/c I’m a horrible admin), stock room at the GAP, call center rep at Vineyard Vines 6/

Just saying that so hopefully it can help ease people’s anxiety abt graduation. If any other journalists have advice for soon to graduate or recent grads just reply below! Graduating college in itself is a huge accomplishment especially under the circumstances this year. 7/

Sorry one more piece of advice: Not to scare anyone but do not have ANY personal info abt urself online if u wanna go into reporting. Especially if you’re a woman or POC. Take everything u can off and never ever ever reveal anything sensitive abt yourself or ur family or friends.

Again not to be scary, but every piece of information you reveal about yourself online will be warped and twisted and used against you by everyone from casual ppl on twitter to the worst bad faith actors. If u become successful enough this will happen unfortunately

You can still be open and funny and show ur personality! But just recognize that any tiny bit of vulnerability u express on the internet will be used against u. I stopped posting anything abt my personal life, friends, dating, family, location. I wish I did it earlier.