Where to find advice on work experience in journalism

I had a quick roam round the web looking for some tips and thoughts on getting work experience - and making the most of it - for some journalism students I've been working with.       
    There's a note of caution on spending too long working for free, written by a press gazette intern. But short periods of unpaid work experience is still invaluable for newcomers and is a great way of getting that first break.

    Here's some of the most useful-looking links I've found. They're not brand new, but the advice is still helpful and relevant:

• The Wannabehacks site is always a useful place to start. It has list of top placements from 2011. 

• Bauer Media has a site dedicated to work experience and internships on its brands

• There's some interesting advice on Using twitter to get work experience from The Guardian

• Tips and tricks on how to impress on your work experience placemen

• This journalism.co.uk forum on work experience and opportunities for new journalists has some recent comments and other entries.

• Rhian Jones offers a blaggers’guide to getting journalism work experience.

• Plus there's a few tips from Alison Gow, from a couple of years ago that still look relevant.

My own tips are:

Clarify what titles mean by work experience.

Some titles have you just doing admin; some give you more meaty stuff to do.

Try the less well-known titles too. 

Try the big name newspapers, magazines and websites by all means, but they can be over-subscribed. Some of the smaller set-ups, including trade magazines and websites, can sometimes find you a space - and can often give you a great chance to get a byline.

Volunteer and be willing to help. 

It might sound obvious but always offer to help out and ask "is there anything else you'd like me to do?" rather than just twiddling your thumbs.

When journalists can't do their sums: New percentage calculator tool

Powered by the Percentage Calculator.

Many thanks to Mateus Mucha for letting me know about the latest version of this handy percentage calculator, which Mateus created.

I mentioned an earlier version last year when I wrote about When journalism doesn't add up: reporters, subs and numeracy in what proved to be one of this blog's most popular posts.

Anything that helps those of us who struggle with numbers has to be a good thing.

Tips on using social media for journalists: a brief round-up

While I've been getting to grips with the the new-look Delicious I noticed I've saved a few recent links on using social media for journalists - mostly sourced from links posted on Twitter or from my Google Reader.

So here they are:

• Mandy Jenkin's slideshare guide to verrifying sources in social media

• Sharon Green on five ways Twitter made her a better journalist

• BBC producer Stuart Hughes on How BBC journalists are using social media

• Mashable's overview and infographic of How people use social media in emergencies

And, once you've digested that round-up and if you're interested in other areas of online journalism, why not take a look at Adam Westbrook's collection of his own posts on online video and entrepreneurial journalism.